Bryan Edgett writes: "On August 15, 2007, my most recent teacher and a good friend Leon Merian passed away in Sarasota, Florida at the age of 83. He was born in Braintree, Massachusetts on September 17, 1923. A legendary figure among big band trumpeters, Leon was featured as a soloist or served as lead trumpet with the bands of Boyd Rayburn, Gene Krupa, Lucky Millinder, and Pete Rugulo to name only a few. He was among Judy Garland's favorite trumpeters. He led his own big band as well and performed live with the three major television network orchestras. He played more than 550 performances of Wonderful Town on Broadway and subsequently, Cole Porter selected him to be featured in the show Silk Stockings.

Leon taught both music and foreign languages for 16 years in Massachusetts public schools. He became a foreign language chair while serving concurrently in the music department of a nearby college.

I met Leon on the Trumpet Players' International Network several years ago. On the recommendation of a colleague, I had ordered his biography, The Man Behind the Horn. Expertly written by Bill Bridges, this book chronicles his fascinating career from his teen years through his late 70s. I found it to be such a fascinating read that I had to meet Leon in person.

Previously, I had decided that I wanted to study with people whose training and background were completely different from mine. Leon seemed like a perfect candidate. I called Leon and arranged to fly to Bradenton to visit. I arranged the visit so that on the following day I could hear him with his band on his first performance in almost two years. He had serious eye surgery and had decided, at the age of 78 and after taking a year off, to spend the next year getting back in shape to be able to play as he had previously.

In the intervening years, I saw Leon several times, once to interview him for ITG. That article appeared in the June 2004 issue of the ITG Journal. Leon was a fabulous teacher; his trademark intensity was on display from the moment a lesson began. I was especially struck by the quickness and acuteness of his diagnostic skill.

I saw him most recently this past March when I went for a lesson and to play a gig with his band. I loved my visits with Leon. While he was a relentless teacher, he treated me like a son. I'd always take him out to dinner after our lessons and listen to story after story about how life was during the depression and the big band era.

Leon would call me on the phone at virtually any time of day. Sometimes, he'd call just to see how I was doing. He'd make me play something over the phone and then tell me to do this or that to make what I was doing better. He'd call to tell me about a new horn he had purchased or a gig he just played. I will remember Leon as a terrific teacher, a magnificent player, and a warm and caring friend.

Leon is survived by his son Leon James (his wife, Camille) and 3 children of Hingham, Massachusetts; and by his sister, Florence Kashian, of Menlo Park, California. Donations in his memory may be given to TideWell Hospice and Palliative Care, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, Florida 34238, USA"