Oregon native, longtime ‘Tonight Show’ bandleader is profiled in PBS special

Published 11:35 am Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Doc Severinsen may be best known for the 30 years he spent as the trumpet-playing, outlandishly dressed bandleader and joking sidekick to host Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show.” But Severinsen is still with us, living in Nashville, and still devoted to music, as a new “American Masters” documentary explains.

“Never Too Late: The Doc Severinsen Story” profiles the now 93-year-old musician, who was born in Arlington in 1927. Though his first name is Carl, Severinsen acquired his enduring “Doc” nickname because his father was a dentist.

From an early age, Severinsen loved playing the trumpet. His musical ability and passion eventually led to work as a studio musician for NBC, a job playing trumpet in the early 1960s under Skitch Henderson, who was then the “Tonight Show” bandleader, and finally the job as bandleader for “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.”

During his 30 years on “The Tonight Show,” Severinsen became a staple of late-night TV. In addition to his musicianship, Severinsen was known for sporting garish outfits, joined in comedy bits with Carson and announcer Ed McMahon, belted out made-up tunes during recurring “Stump the Band” segments and filled in when McMahon was off.

When Carson retired from hosting in 1992, Severinsen left “The Tonight Show.” But he continued to play music and tour. In a recent interview with The New York Times’ Dave Itzkoff, which coincides with the “American Masters” documentary, Severinsen talks about his obsession with the trumpet, past issues with alcoholism, his friendship with Carson (”an extremely bright man”) and more.

The documentary includes interviews with Severinsen, and others, including Questlove, the “Tonight Show” bandleader, and trumpet star — and fellow Oregon native — Chris Botti.

The documentary will be broadcast locally on Oregon Public Broadcasting from noon to 1:30 p.m on Sunday.