Doc Severinsen

Doc Severinsen
Severinsen in a 1974 publicity photo for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Background information
Birth name	Carl Hilding Severinsen
Born	(1927-07-07) July 7, 1927 (age 89) Arlington, Oregon, U.S.
Genres	Jazz
Occupation(s)	Bandleader, trumpeter
Instruments	Trumpet
Years active	1952–present
Associated acts	Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, The Tonight Show Band
Website	docseverinsen.com

Carl Hilding "Doc" Severinsen (born July 7, 1927) is an American pop and jazz trumpeter. He is best known for leading the NBC Orchestra on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Severinsen was born in Arlington, Oregon, the son of Minnie Mae Severinsen (1897–1998) and Carl Severinsen (1898–1972), a dentist. He was nicknamed "Little Doc" after his father. His father, a gifted amateur violinist, wanted his son to play the violin. He gave his young son lessons. Little Doc insisted on playing the trombone. Eventually, their neighbor, Herb Clark, had a trumpet at his house the boy could play. Within a week, Doc was good enough to play in public. Soon, he was invited to play with the high school band.

At the age of twelve, Severinsen won the Music Educator's National Contest. While still in high school, he was hired to go on the road with the Ted Fio Rito Orchestra. However, his stay with the group was cut short by the World War II draft. After serving in the U.S. Army, Severinsen made his broadcasting debut playing live popular music on KODL radio in The Dalles, Oregon.

Starting in 1954 during Steve Allen's tenure as host of NBC-TV's Tonight, Doc Severinsen played first trumpet in the band directed by Skitch Henderson. He actually joined "The Tonight Show Band" several months before Johnny Carson's becoming host in October 1962. Severinsen took over as bandleader in 1967 and soon became noted for his flashy fashions.