Leon Merian

Leon Merian, born Leon Megerdichian on September 17, 1923, in South Braintree, Massachusetts, was an American jazz trumpeter, teacher, and public school administrator. The son of Armenian immigrant parents, he studied trumpet under Georges Mager and went on to build a career that spanned jazz performance, Broadway, recording, and music education.

Merian performed on Broadway in 1956, appearing in Silk Stockings. His work as a trumpeter extended well beyond the stage. He was a member of Lucky Millinder's band during its tour of the segregated South, an experience that placed him in a difficult position as he was turned away from both white and Black establishments and was forced to sleep on the tour bus. Dizzy Gillespie spoke of his sound as one of the most beautiful a listener would ever encounter. Merian also recorded as a sideman on sessions including Pete Rugolo's Rugolomania for Columbia in 1955 and Specs Powell's Movin' In for Roulette in 1957, as well as appearing on The Essential Tito Puente, released on RCA in 2005. As a leader, he recorded The Magic Horn for Decca. In November 1958, he moved to 20th Century Fox Records. He also led his own band, which included Herb Phillips among its members.

Beyond performance, Merian worked as a French teacher and public school administrator. He authored the instructional publication Trumpet Isometrics and in 2000 published an autobiography, Leon Merian: The Man Behind the Horn, written with Bill Bridges and released by Diem Publishing Co. in Bradenton, Florida. Merian died on August 15, 2007, in Sarasota, Florida, at the age of 83.