Doc Severinsen brings El Ritmo de la Vida to Bass Hall January 16-18

by PegNews wire

America’s favorite bandleader brings an all-new show to Bass Performance Hall! Doc Severinsen, best known as bandleader of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, brings El Ritmo de la Vida (The Rhythm of Life) to the symphony circuit, along with classical guitarist Gil Gutierrez and violinist Pedro Cartas. This electrifying experience features classical Spanish music with a jazz flair and includes gorgeous ballads, great movie music and the popular gypsy jazz, a la Django Reinhardt.

Severinsen’s big band trumpet blast following the lead-in “Heeeeere’s Johnny” was the landmark of late night television for three decades. Within a week of the final telecast, Severinsen and His Big Band were on the road, and his tour dates continue to sell out. He can blow the roof off with a trumpet solo and is regarded as one of the most technically proficient trumpeters on the circuit. His flair for outrageous fashions and witty banter entertains audiences around the country and he is invited to perform with and conduct ensembles ranging from symphonic orchestras to jazz bands. In this season alone, Severinsen travels from Buffalo to Phoenix and from Seattle to Pittsburgh as a guest soloist with orchestras, often wearing outfits that are only slightly less brassy than his horn. The Grammy Award-winning artist has made more than 30 albums in his career. In addition to performing, Severinsen recently created his own company and began producing the Destino trumpet, a hand-crafted dream instrument. He tests each one himself, sometimes taking them on the road with him.

Severinsen began playing the trumpet at age 7. Within a week of practicing he was so good he was invited to join the high school band. At the age of twelve, he won the Music Educator's National Contest and, while still in high school, was hired to go on the road with the famous Ted Fio Rito Orchestra. However, his stay with the group was cut short by the draft. He served in the Army during World War II and following his discharge, landed a spot with the Charlie Barnet Band. When this band broke up, Severinsen toured with the Tommy Dorsey, then the Benny Goodman bands in the late 40s.

After his days with Barnet and Dorsey, Severinsen moved to New York to become a staff musician for NBC. After years of playing with the network’s studio bands, Severinsen was invited to do a gig with the highly respected Tonight Show Band. Conductor Skitch Henderson asked him to join the band in 1962 as first trumpet. Five years later, Severinsen took over as music director for The Tonight Show and stayed with the show until Johnny Carson retired from late night television in 1992.

The concerts take place Jan. 16 – 18 and replace the previously scheduled Pink Martini shows. Performances begin at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $26 - $78 and are available online at www.fwsymphony.org and by telephone at 817-665-6000. Discounted rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Call 817-665-6500, ext. 150 for details.

Source: FWSO