Doc Severinsen plays the trumpet at the National Sound Studios in New York in 1998. Severinsen will perform with the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Feb. 15 and 16 at the Tivoli Theatre.Doc Severinsen, best known as the bandleader of "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" for many years, will perform with the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Feb. 15 and 16 at the Tivoli Theatre.
His performance will be part of the CSO's Big Band Fever Pops Series concert. Music Director Emeritus Robert Bernhardt will conduct.
Severinsen originally wanted to play the trombone, but had to settle for the only horn available in the small music store where he lived in Arlington, Texas -- a trumpet. Within a week, the 7-year-old was invited to join the high school band.
During his career, Severinsen played with the Charlie Barnett Band, with Tommy Dorsey and the Benny Goodman bands in the 1940s. He was asked to join The Tonight Show Band in 1962 as first trumpet. He took over as music director five years later and stayed with the show until Carson retired from late-night television in 1992.
Tickets for this concert start at $19 and are available by calling 267-8583 or visiting http://www.chattanoogasymphony.org/.