Doc Severinsen

This trumpet-playing musician and bandleader was loved by Milwaukee symphony fans. Doc Severinsen appeared many times with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. And in 2007 he was named Pops Conductor Emeritus in Milwaukee. His father wanted him to play the violin. He wanted to play the trombone, but his arms weren’t long enough, so he settled for the trumpet. Doc toured with Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey and served in World War II. He became the studio musician for NBC and worked with Steve Allen on the original “Tonight Show.” He left the show for a while, until Tonight Show bandleader Skitch Henderson asked him to return and play trumpet in the band. Five years later he was the leader of the “Tonight Show” band. Doc was known for wearing gaudy clothing, joking with Johnny Carson, and playing “Stump the Band.” Severinsen has recorded many albums and won the Grammy award for best large jazz ensemble performance. In this conversation he discusses his broken marriages, how he got the name Doc and what he thinks of the unauthorized biographies.