Doc Severinsen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Doc Severinsen
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Severinsen in a 1974 publicity photo
for The Tonight Show |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Carl Hilding Severinsen |
| Born | July 7, 1927 Arlington, Oregon, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, swing, fusion, pop |
| Occupations | Musician, bandleader |
| Instruments | Trumpet |
| Years active | 1946–2022 |
| Labels | Command, RCA Victor, Amherst, Telarc |
Carl Hilding "Doc" Severinsen (born July 7, 1927) is a famous American jazz trumpeter. He is best known for leading the NBC Orchestra on the popular TV show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. For many years, millions of people saw him on television almost every night.
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Early Life and Musical Start
Doc Severinsen was born in Arlington, Oregon. His father was the town's only dentist, which is how he got the nickname "Doc." His dad, who played the violin, wanted Doc to play it too. But Doc was more interested in the trombone.
Since his arms weren't long enough for a trombone, he started with a cornet instead. He learned quickly and showed a great talent for music. By the time he was seven, he was already playing in a high school band. He won a national trumpet contest at age 12. At 14, he even auditioned for the famous bandleader Tommy Dorsey.
Before he even finished high school, Doc was hired to tour with the Ted Fio Rito Orchestra. After graduating, he played with other famous bands of the time, including those led by Charlie Barnet, Tommy Dorsey, and Benny Goodman. He also served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
The Tonight Show
In 1949, Severinsen began working as a musician for the television network NBC. He played for many famous singers and was part of the band on the original Tonight Show, then called Tonight Starring Steve Allen.
In 1962, he was asked to join the band for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Five years later, in 1967, he became the band's leader. Under his leadership, the NBC Orchestra became one of the most famous big bands in America.
Severinsen was known for his powerful trumpet playing, his funny jokes with the host Johnny Carson, and his colorful, flashy outfits. He became a very popular and recognizable TV personality. He led the band until Johnny Carson retired in 1992.
Stump the Band
A fun part of the show was a game called "Stump the Band." People in the audience would name strange or unknown songs to see if the band could play them. If the band didn't know the song, Severinsen would often shout "key of E!" and lead the band in a funny, made-up country song.
Recording and Performing Career
Besides his TV work, Doc Severinsen had a long recording career. In the 1960s, he recorded big band albums. Later, he explored different styles like jazz-funk and disco. In 1986, his album The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen won a Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance.
After The Tonight Show ended, he toured the country with many of the band's talented musicians. He also performed the U.S. national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner", at major sporting events like Super Bowl IV and the 1989 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
Conducting and Teaching
Severinsen was also a talented conductor. A conductor is someone who leads an orchestra. He was the main pops conductor for several major American orchestras, including the Phoenix Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and Minnesota Orchestra. Pops concerts usually feature popular music, show tunes, and light classical pieces.
He retired from full-time conducting in 2007. He also spent time as a visiting professor at Arizona State University, sharing his knowledge with music students. In 2014, he was inducted into the Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame for his achievements.
Severinsen played his last concert in September 2022, ending an amazing career that spanned over 75 years.
Personal Life
Over his life, Doc Severinsen was married several times. He has five children: Nancy, Cindy, Allen, Robin, and Judy. He also has eight grandchildren. Two of his grandchildren, Blaire and Gray Reinhard, are also musicians who perform together.
A documentary about his life, called Never Too Late: The Doc Severinsen Story, was released in 2021. It showed that he never lost his passion for music, even in his later years.
Selected Discography
Here are some of Doc Severinsen's many albums:
- Tempestuous Trumpet (1961)
- The Big Band's Back in Town (1962)
- Fever! (1966)
- Brass Roots (1971)
- Brass on Ivory (1972) (with Henry Mancini)
- Night Journey (1976)
- The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen (1986)
- Merry Christmas from Doc Severinsen and The Tonight Show Orchestra (1991)
- Swingin' the Blues (1999)
- Oblivion (2014) (with his group, the San Miguel Five)
