Leon Breeden
Encyclopedia
Harold Leon Breeden known as Leon Breeden, was a jazz studies educator at the collegiate level, a classical and jazz clarinetist, a saxophonist, a prolific composer and arranger, a music clinician, and jazz festival judge. The Associated Press release of Breeden's death referred to him as, "legendary director of the University of North Texas' jazz program who made its 'One O'Clock Lab Band
' internationally famous."
— at the University of North Texas College of Music
from 1959 to 1981. From early in his tenure at North Texas, Breeden led its Jazz Studies division to rapid rise in international prominence.
The One O'Clock Lab Band is the highest level of nine big bands at the College of Music. The College of Music is a comprehensive music school with the largest enrollment of any music institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and the first in the world to offer a degree in jazz studies at the collegiate level.
to London
, Paris
, Portugal
, Russia
, Mexico
, Germany
, Spain
, and Switzerland
. The band played in most major cities throughout the U.S. and the Spoleto Music Festival.
The band performed at the White House for the parties of Presidents Johnson
, Carter
and Reagan
. They played for the U.S. visit of the King and Queen of Thailand.
The One O'Clock has accompanied Ella Fitzgerald
and has produced members for the Stan Kenton
and Woody Herman
bands.
Breeden’s former students include Marvin Stamm
, Lou Marini
, Lyle Mays
, Galen Jeter, Sparky Koerner, Marc Johnson, Byron Parks, Paul Guerrero, Lanny Steele, Dee Barton
, Neal Ramsay, Jim Riggs
and Herb Ellis
. There are more than 600 recordings of the jazz band’s performances in the North Texas School of Music archives.
Breeden and Jazz Studies, particularly the One O'Clock Lab Band, elevated the academic notoriety of the university on an international scale, perhaps more so than any other person or program at the university in its history.
, Breeden served in the military in the 69th Infantry Division Band as Music Librarian and played in the band at Ft. Bliss.
In 1944, after military duty, he became the Director of Bands at Texas Christian University
, and later served as Director of Bands at Grand Prairie High School
from 1953 to 1959.
In 1959, M.E. "Gene" Hall, Founding Director of Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas
College of Music, urged and recommended Breeden to replace Hall as Director of Jazz Studies, where Breeden remained until his retirement in 1984.
A classically-trained clarinetist, Breeden also played saxophone and studied composition and arranging at TCU. He was a teaching assistant under Don Gillis, Director of Bands at Texas Christian University
, whom he later worked with in New York
from 1950–1952, serving as his assistant.
Gillis was the Producer of the NBC Symphony, conducted by Arturo Toscanini
. During this time, Breeden met with and wrote arrangements for Arthur Fiedler
, conductor of the Boston Pops. It was Gillis who recommended Breeden for work. In 1950, upon hearing his first arrangements for the group, Fiedler offered Breeden a permanent spot as the staff writer and arranger for the orchestra, but with an ill father, Breeden declined the highly-prized offer and moved back to Texas. Upon returning to Texas, Breeden worked as music coordinator for KXAS-TV
in Fort Worth— then known as WBAP-TV.
where he completed both his Bachelor’s and Master's degrees. While doing graduate work at Columbia University
in New York City, he studied clarinet with Sir Reginald Kell
, an internationally acclaimed clarinetist who had immigrated to the U.S. in 1948. Benny Goodman
began studies with Kell in 1949.
Videos Honoring Leon Breeden (1921–2010)
One O'Clock Lab Band
The One O’Clock Lab Band for years has been the premier ensemble of the Jazz Studies Division at the University of North Texas College of Music in Denton. The band has performed and toured abroad in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway,...
' internationally famous."
Career as jazz education pioneer
Breeden was the chairman of Jazz Studies — and director of the One O'Clock Lab BandOne O'Clock Lab Band
The One O’Clock Lab Band for years has been the premier ensemble of the Jazz Studies Division at the University of North Texas College of Music in Denton. The band has performed and toured abroad in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway,...
— at the University of North Texas College of Music
University of North Texas College of Music
The University of North Texas College of Music, based in Denton, is a comprehensive music school with the largest enrollment of any music institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, and the oldest in the world offering a degree in jazz studies...
from 1959 to 1981. From early in his tenure at North Texas, Breeden led its Jazz Studies division to rapid rise in international prominence.
The One O'Clock Lab Band is the highest level of nine big bands at the College of Music. The College of Music is a comprehensive music school with the largest enrollment of any music institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and the first in the world to offer a degree in jazz studies at the collegiate level.
Breeden's tenure at the University of North Texas College of Music
Breeden took the One O'clock Lab BandOne O'Clock Lab Band
The One O’Clock Lab Band for years has been the premier ensemble of the Jazz Studies Division at the University of North Texas College of Music in Denton. The band has performed and toured abroad in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway,...
to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. The band played in most major cities throughout the U.S. and the Spoleto Music Festival.
The band performed at the White House for the parties of Presidents Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
, Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
and Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
. They played for the U.S. visit of the King and Queen of Thailand.
The One O'Clock has accompanied Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
and has produced members for the Stan Kenton
Stan Kenton
Stanley Newcomb "Stan" Kenton was a pianist, composer, and arranger who led a highly innovative, influential, and often controversial American jazz orchestra. In later years he was widely active as an educator....
and Woody Herman
Woody Herman
Woodrow Charles Herman , known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading various groups called "The Herd," Herman was one of the most popular of the 1930s and '40s bandleaders...
bands.
Breeden’s former students include Marvin Stamm
Marvin Stamm
Marvin Stamm is an American bebop trumpeter.Stamm began on trumpet at age 12. He first attended college at, then known as, Memphis State University and then attended college at North Texas State University where he was a member of the world renowned One O'Clock Lab Band...
, Lou Marini
Lou Marini
Lou Marini, Jr. is an American saxophonist, arranger and composer. He is noted for his work in the jazz, rock, blues and soul music traditions.-Early life and range of musical experience:...
, Lyle Mays
Lyle Mays
Lyle Mays is an American jazz pianist and composer from Wausaukee, Wisconsin. He is best known for his work with guitarist Pat Metheny as a member of the Pat Metheny Group...
, Galen Jeter, Sparky Koerner, Marc Johnson, Byron Parks, Paul Guerrero, Lanny Steele, Dee Barton
Dee Barton
Dee Barton was an American film score composer noted for his horror-esque style of composing in action thriller films...
, Neal Ramsay, Jim Riggs
Jim Riggs
James Garland Riggs, University of North Texas Emeritus Regents Professor is an American saxophonist in both the classical and jazz idioms, big band director, collegiate music educator, and international music clinician.-As performer:...
and Herb Ellis
Herb Ellis
Mitchell Herbert "Herb" Ellis was an American jazz guitarist. Perhaps best known for his 1950s membership in the trio of pianist Oscar Peterson, Ellis was also a staple of west-coast studio recording sessions, and was described by critic Scott Yanow as "an excellent bop-based guitarist with a...
. There are more than 600 recordings of the jazz band’s performances in the North Texas School of Music archives.
Breeden and Jazz Studies, particularly the One O'Clock Lab Band, elevated the academic notoriety of the university on an international scale, perhaps more so than any other person or program at the university in its history.
Entire career overview
During the early part of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Breeden served in the military in the 69th Infantry Division Band as Music Librarian and played in the band at Ft. Bliss.
In 1944, after military duty, he became the Director of Bands at Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
, and later served as Director of Bands at Grand Prairie High School
Grand Prairie High School
Grand Prairie High School is a public high school in Grand Prairie, Texas, the seventh-largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and 17th-largest in Texas...
from 1953 to 1959.
In 1959, M.E. "Gene" Hall, Founding Director of Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
College of Music, urged and recommended Breeden to replace Hall as Director of Jazz Studies, where Breeden remained until his retirement in 1984.
A classically-trained clarinetist, Breeden also played saxophone and studied composition and arranging at TCU. He was a teaching assistant under Don Gillis, Director of Bands at Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
, whom he later worked with in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
from 1950–1952, serving as his assistant.
Gillis was the Producer of the NBC Symphony, conducted by Arturo Toscanini
Arturo Toscanini
Arturo Toscanini was an Italian conductor. One of the most acclaimed musicians of the late 19th and 20th century, he was renowned for his intensity, his perfectionism, his ear for orchestral detail and sonority, and his photographic memory...
. During this time, Breeden met with and wrote arrangements for Arthur Fiedler
Arthur Fiedler
Arthur Fiedler was a long-time conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, a symphony orchestra that specializes in popular and light classical music. With a combination of musicianship and showmanship, he made the Boston Pops one of the best-known orchestras in the country...
, conductor of the Boston Pops. It was Gillis who recommended Breeden for work. In 1950, upon hearing his first arrangements for the group, Fiedler offered Breeden a permanent spot as the staff writer and arranger for the orchestra, but with an ill father, Breeden declined the highly-prized offer and moved back to Texas. Upon returning to Texas, Breeden worked as music coordinator for KXAS-TV
KXAS-TV
KXAS-TV, virtual channel 5 , is the NBC television station for the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The station was Texas' first television station when the station made its debut on September 28, 1948. Its transmitter is located in Cedar Hill...
in Fort Worth— then known as WBAP-TV.
- 1945 — Bachelor of Arts degree, Texas Christian UniversityTexas Christian UniversityTexas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
- 1948 — Master of Music Education, Texas Christian UniversityTexas Christian UniversityTexas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
- 1944–49 — Director of Bands at Texas Christian UniversityTexas Christian UniversityTexas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
- 1950–52 — Composition and Arranging Assistant to Don GillisDon GillisDonald Eugene Gillis was a US composer, conductor and teacher. The composition which has gained him most recognition is his orchestral Symphony No. 5½, A Symphony for Fun.-Biography:...
in New York - 1953–59 — Director of Bands at Grand Prairie High SchoolGrand Prairie High SchoolGrand Prairie High School is a public high school in Grand Prairie, Texas, the seventh-largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and 17th-largest in Texas...
- 1959–81 — Director of Jazz Studies at the University of North TexasUniversity of North TexasThe University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
College of Music and Musical Director of the One O'Clock Lab Band - 1981–84 — Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of North TexasUniversity of North TexasThe University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
College of Music
Honors
| 1965 | The University of North Texas student body honored Breeden with 'Fessor Graham Award, the highest honor bestowed annually by students to a faculty member for outstanding and unselfish service to students beyond the call of duty |
| 1976 | The University of North Texas University of North Texas The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067... recognized Breeden as an Outstanding Professor |
| 1981 | By unanimous vote, the Texas House of Representatives Texas House of Representatives The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits... and the Texas Senate Texas Senate The Texas Senate is the upper house of the Texas Legislature. There are 31 members of the Senate, representing 31 single-member districts across the state with populations of approximately 672,000 per constituency. There are no term limits, and each term is four years long. The Senate meets at the... , in the 67th Legislature, proclaimed May 3, 1981, as "Leon Breeden Day" |
| 1985 | Breeden was inducted into the International Association for Jazz Education Hall of Fame |
| 1987 | In a surprise One O'Clock Lab Band One O'Clock Lab Band The One O’Clock Lab Band for years has been the premier ensemble of the Jazz Studies Division at the University of North Texas College of Music in Denton. The band has performed and toured abroad in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway,... reunion, more than 400 of Breeden's former students – many of whom are formidable artists, performers, and educators – traveled from all parts of the world honor him |
| 1995 | The Texas Chapter (Alpha Chapter) of Phi Beta Mu, an international bandmasters fraternity, inducted Breeden into the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame (note: neither the Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Mu nor the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame is affiliated with the Texas Band Masters Association) |
| 1990 | The Dallas Jazz Orchestra Dallas Jazz Orchestra The Dallas Jazz Orchestra is a jazz big band based in Dallas, Texas, founded by Thom Mason and Galen Jeter. Since its beginning in 1973, the DJO has produced numerous notable recordings, two of which were Grammy nominated, and has performed internationally in concerts and jazz festivals, such as... produced an Album honoring Breeden, titled, Thank You, Leon |
| 2001 | Texas Christian University Texas Christian University Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ... awarded Breeden an honorary doctor of letters Doctor of Letters Doctor of Letters is a university academic degree, often a higher doctorate which is frequently awarded as an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding scholarship or other merits.-Commonwealth:... degree |
| 2003 | The North Texas Jazz Festival established the Leon Breeden Award for the best middle school or high school big band |
| 2009 | The University of North Texas awarded Breeden with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Doctor of Humane Letters The degree of Doctor of Humane Letters is always conferred as an honorary degree, usually to those who have distinguished themselves in areas other than science, government, literature or religion, which are awarded degrees of Doctor of Science, Doctor of Laws, Doctor of Letters, or Doctor of... degree |
Later appearances
In the last several years of his life, Breeden frequently soloed on clarinet with The Official Texas Jazz Orchestra.Growing up
Breeden used his first given name, "Harold," only while serving in the Army. When he was three years of age his parents moved to Wichita Falls, TX, where he grew up and graduated from high school. He attended Texas Wesleyan College in Ft. Worth on a scholarship and later transferred to Texas Christian UniversityTexas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
where he completed both his Bachelor’s and Master's degrees. While doing graduate work at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in New York City, he studied clarinet with Sir Reginald Kell
Reginald Kell
Reginald Clifford Kell was a British clarinetist.-Career:Born in York, England, Kell was the first prominent player to apply vibrato consciously and consistently to his tone, in which respect he modelled himself on his colleague the oboist Léon Goossens...
, an internationally acclaimed clarinetist who had immigrated to the U.S. in 1948. Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
began studies with Kell in 1949.
Family
- 1945 — Leon Breeden married Bonna Joyce McKee (b. Oct 25, 1926, Bynum, TX; d. Sep 7, 1988, Denton, TX), whom he had met while working on his masters degree at TCUTCUTCU is an abbreviation for:* Tauranga City United, a New Zealand association football club* Telecommunication Control Unit* Texas Christian University, a private university in Fort Worth, Texas** TCU Horned Frogs, the athletic program of the school...
. They had three children:
-
- David McKee Breeden (b. July 19, 1946, Fort Worth, TX; d. June 22, 2005, San Mateo, CA)
- Daniel Leon Breeden (b. April 16, 1948, Fort Worth, TX; d. Feb. 11, 1968, Dallas, TX)
- Vicki Lynn Breeden (b. Oct 2, 1951, Fort Worth, TX)
- June 18, 1990 (Denton, TX) — Leon remarried a childhood sweetheart:
- Bennye Wayne (née "Nobles," name from former marriage, "Reid," – "Ms. Billy Ray Reid," b. Dec 24, 1921, Wise County, TX; d. Apr 29, 2010, Denton, TX). Breeden and Bennye met while in the fourth grade in Wichita Falls, TX. From Bennye's marriage with Billy Ray Reid, aka "Slick" (d. Aug 22, 2007), Leon has stepchildren:
- Mike Reid
- Melinda Ray Reid (b. May 17, 1950, Fort Worth, TX), who, on April 6, 1973, married to David Lane Shockley (b. July 15, 1952, Fort Worth, TX) in Fort Worth
- Jimmy Browning of Fort Worth
- LeAnna Sharp of Arlington
- Barry Browning of Arlington
Death
Leon Breeden died of natural causes on August 11, 2010 in a Dallas, TX hospital.Videos Honoring Leon Breeden (1921–2010)
See also
- One O'Clock Lab BandOne O'Clock Lab BandThe One O’Clock Lab Band for years has been the premier ensemble of the Jazz Studies Division at the University of North Texas College of Music in Denton. The band has performed and toured abroad in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway,...
- Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame
- David BreedenDavid BreedenDavid McKee Breeden was an American clarinetist, who performed as principal with the San Francisco Symphony for 25 years. A native of Fort Worth, TX, he had been a student of his father, Leon Breeden, clarinetist and renown pioneer in jazz education at the University of North Texas College of Music...
, son