Doc Severinsen
Carl (Doc) Hilding Severinsen (born on July 7,
1927) is an
American pop and
jazz trumpeter. In the
1940s and
1950s he was a member of the
Tommy Dorsey,
Charlie Barnet, and
Benny Goodman bands. From 1949 on he worked for the
National Broadcasting Company, eventually becoming leader of the
Tonight Show Band in 1967. He held that position till 1992. In the
1960s he also recorded with the Clarke/Boland Big Band and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis band.
Although he continues to record with jazz artists, his own recordings as a leader have consisted mainly of pop music. He is the principal pops conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the Phoenix Symphony, and since 2001 Distinguished Visiting Professor of Music and Katherine K. Herberger Heritage Chair for Visiting Artists at Arizona State University School of Music.