America’s top trumpet blows his last at 95
NewsThe iconic Doc Severinsen who nightly blew Jonny Carson into America’s living rooms, has played in Saratoga Springs in what he says is his final concert. He is 95 years old.
And here’s the last show:
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It’s all been downhill – as an entertainment-form and as a country – since Johnny and his crew bowed out.
I first met Doc when I was a trumpet major at Ithaca College and Doc taught a master class. I then worked with him whenI was an assistant on the Minnesota Orchestra staff from 1966-72.
Upon taking on the CEO role of the Oregon Symphony in 1972, we invited Doc to perform with the Oregon Symphony with Norman Leyden conducting. Doc is from Oregon and had never played , until that time, with the Oregon Symphony. Later I was CEO of the St. Louis Symphony and Doc performed there many times. At the time Johnny Carson retired form hosting the Tonight Show, I had returned to working with the Minnesota Orchestra as the CEO and we hired Doc as the Principal Pops Conductor. Yes, he is flamboyant and outgoing. More importantly, he is a great trumpet player and fine musician . Congratulations Doc , on a great career.
Doc Severinsen was my idol in the ’70s. So much so that when I bought a trumpet to play in the University of Arizona marching band I chose Getzen’s Severinsen model. I ran into him at a nightclub in Mexico 30 years ago; he was so friendly and decent. A real musician. I still have my trumpet, but I bet at age 95 he plays better than I do at 67!
There’s been massive talk in the trumpet community about this. Doc is very greatly loved and has had a wonderful career and great influence on generations of players. He’ll be missed but I wish him a long and happy retirement!
Doc had retired before. I’m sure he’ll go on playing at home…and maybe again in public. After all, he’s only 95.
An amazing career!
An astounding trumpet player!!
Besides his stints as pops conductor for several American orchestras, Severinsen frequently worked with young musicians. The 2021 American Masters documentary, “Never Too Late: The Doc Severinsen Story” is an engaging look at a committed musician.
I believe that Bud Herseth once said that Doc was the greatest trumpet player he had ever heard.
Don’t know if he said it – he may well have – but they were longtime friends, and Doc played at Herseth’s 50th anniversary concert with the CSO. I recall Herseth saying he also greatly admired Maynard Ferguson.
Don’t tell that to Dizzie Gillespie, no disrespect intended.
If there’s anyone who deserves to blow one’s own trumpet it’s Doc Severinsen. What extraordinary talent and hard work to keep the chops in shape for such a long time. Thanks for the memories, Doc!
Congratulations Doc! What a wonderful career! You have given the joy of music to more than you will ever know. Thank you great maestro!
I was lucky to see both him and the great Marvin Hamlisch conduct the Milwaukee Symphony, on separate occasions, during their successive tenures as its pops conductor
Doc Severinsen had a long relationship with the Minnesota Orchestra. In 2003 he and the M.O.’s principal trumpet, Manny Laureano premiered a wonderful 3-movement concerto for two trumpets and orchestra by Stephen Paulus at a subscription concert conducted by Osmo Vanska. The third movement, especially, really rocks, and both soloists were in great form. Doc was only 75 then. This performance can be found on YouTube.
The tonight show band – the “NBC Orchestra” – was a marvel. Some of the best musicians in the business. I love the lineup of that show from 1979 – when it still ran 90 minutes. The appearances of Pete Fountain were always a treat.
I used to see him in Burbank all the time. A very nice fellow, very down to earth. When the Tonight Show was going on he used to sit and eat at the counter all the time at Bob’s or Paty’s in Toluca Lake right after they taped it. That kind of guy.
Good luck, Doc, and all best wishes!
HEYYOOOH!!!!