Trumpet Isometrics

airegin · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2001 10:03 am Post subject:

sorry, but who is Leon Merian?
thanks and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
edit::i could just do a search on the net..

rob

_________________
Rob Lauderdale
We see the world not as it is but as we are.

[ This Message was edited by: airegin on 2001-12-27 13:06 ]

Emb_Enh · Veteran Member Joined: 29 Oct 2002 Posts: 455

LEONS book represents one of the best chop books for your dollar anywhere by anyone...and what a fantastic guy!!!

If you have'nt got this one get it!!--it really is a range builder!!
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"E M B O U C H U R E___E N H A N C E M E N T"
BOOK 1 also... BOOK 2 + demo CD

[Self Analysis and Diagnostic Trumpet Method]

Lex Grantham · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2002 8:25 am Post subject:

Leon Merian was a contemporary of Harry James.

Sincerely,

Lex Grantham

Emb_Enh · Veteran Member Joined: 29 Oct 2002 Posts: 455

Did Leon ever play in the ''James band'' Mr. Grantham??
_________________
Regards, Roddy o-iii RoddyTpt@aol.com

"E M B O U C H U R E___E N H A N C E M E N T"
BOOK 1 also... BOOK 2 + demo CD

[Self Analysis and Diagnostic Trumpet Method]

Lex Grantham · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2002 9:54 am Post subject:

I have a book "The Big Band Almanac (Revised Edition) by Leo Walker and dated March, 1989. In it, there is no mention of Leon Merian whatsoever.

But the other information that I do have is:

Columbia University - B.S., M.A.

Teaching Certificates - New York State, Massachusetts

Many clinics conducted at various high schools and colleges

Professional Experience
--------------------------
Lucky Millinder Orchestra
Tommy Tucker orchestra
Boyd Raeburn Orchestra
Richard Himber Orchestra
Pete Rugolo Orchestra
Gene Krupa Orchestra
Eliot Lawrence Orchestra
Hugo Winterhalter Orchestra
Hugo Montenegro Orchestra
Charlie Barnet Orchestra
Benny Bennet Orchestra
Kenny Clarke Quintet

Recorded with Jackie Gleason, Specs Powell, Jimmy Mundy, Tadd Dameron

Studio work for ABC, CBS, and NBC

Arthur Godfrey Show
Danny Kaye Show
Judy Garland Show
Bert Parks Show

Played lead trumpet for artists (just to name a few):
---------------------------------------------------------
Bob Hope
Johnny Mathis
Jerry Lewis
Dean Martin
Ella Fitzgerald
Peggy Lee
Jerry Vale
Pat Boone
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Vic Damone
Elvis Presley
Frankie Lane
Lena Horne
Frank Sinatra
Diana Ross
Tom Jones
Andy Williams
Robert Goulet
The Supremes
Roger Williams
Paul Anka
Patti Page
Wayne Newton

Movies
-------
Trumpet solo in "Ben Hur" background music
Other films

For what it is worth, a picture of him shows him holding what appears to be a silver Benge trumpet.

So, he was a very busy trumpet player in many ways.

Sincerely,

Lex Grantham

[ This Message was edited by: Lex Grantham on 2002-01-23 12:57 ]

Emb_Enh · Veteran Member Joined: 29 Oct 2002 Posts: 455

THAT!!---was brilliant info! --thank you very very much!!

Yours sincerely Roddy o-iii<O
_________________
Regards, Roddy o-iii RoddyTpt@aol.com

"E M B O U C H U R E___E N H A N C E M E N T"
BOOK 1 also... BOOK 2 + demo CD

[Self Analysis and Diagnostic Trumpet Method]

_Don Herman · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2002 10:37 am Post subject:

I have a (signed, with a nice note, in response to doing a trivial favor for him) copy of Leon's The Man Behind the Horn. It's a great book with a lot of fascinating stories of "the biz". I've also heard some recordings of Leon, and he's a fantastic player in addition to being a very, very nice man. Lex did a pretty good job of listing his credentials; there are more in the book. He posts to TPIN now and then, and is one of those gentle persons with gobs of wisdom to share. Another person I'd love to meet and spend some time with! He's got a package deal of his autobiography, Trumpet Isometrics, and CD that everyone should have. I can't find the web site, but you can contact Leon directly at:

lmerian@tampabay.rr.com

HTH - Don
_________________
Don Herman/Monument, CO
"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music." - Aldous Huxley

dbacon · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Nov 2001 Posts: 8592

Jerry Freedman · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2002 5:21 pm Post subject:

I studied with Leon and I knew him socially. For some reason he flirted outrageously with my mother. Anyway in the Boston area his talent and ego are legendary ( read his book). He has some unique approaches to the instrument. As I remember them ( I never did will with his approach myself) they were
1) Tongueing thru the lips in all registers

2) Using an huge amount of compression in all registers - no relaxed "aahhh" for him in any register at any volume level

3) He sort of sneers before placing the mouthpiece on his chop and closes up after placement so that he "grips" the mouthpiece with his chops especially using a spot on his upper chops as a sort of control point. He studied with Walter Smith and I have heard that this grip method was from the older cornet players.

I think he is a true genius in the IQ sense of the word. He was a first rate NY trumpet player. He has an advanced degree from the Sorbonne and he was president of the national association of language teachers. He has accomplished more in one life than most could do in three.

Jerry Freedman

edtaylor · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2002 8:13 pm Post subject:

Leon Merian's website:
http://www.jet-tone.com/merian.htm

_PhilPicc · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2002 8:51 pm Post subject:

Brasswind catalog fall-winter 2001 page #82 has his The Man Behind the Horn, Trumpet Isometrics, and CD for $27.95. They are also priced seperately.

He is awsome.
Philip S.

_PhilPicc · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2002 8:55 pm Post subject:

Sorry Guys,

If I had paid attention to the other postings I could have skipped mine and been in bed.

It is a great book i.e. Trumpet Isometrics
Later,
Philip S.