BSO SuperPops Presents Jazz Trumpeter Doc Severinsen's El Ritmo de la Vida, November 13, 28-30

Former leader of The Tonight Show performs eclectic mix of Latin, jazz and Spanish classical music

Baltimore, Md. (October 20, 2008)-Continuing a long and varied career, trumpeter Doc Severinsen and his band will present an innovative fusion of Latin, Spanish classical, jazz and more in El Ritmo de la Vida (The Rhythm of Life), November 13 at the Music Center at Strathmore and November 28-30 at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Severinsen's talent and humor were cultivated for thirty years as bandleader for The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and as a touring musician and pops conductor. Since moving to Mexico in 2006, he has joined forces with two remarkable musicians, classical guitarist Gil Gutiérrez and violinist Pedro Cartas, who contribute their renowned virtuosity and electric performance style. El Ritmo de la Vida revels in diversity, with everything from jazzed-up Spanish classical to movie music and "gypsy jazz." Please Note: The BSO does not perform on this concert.  See below for complete program information.

Reviews have lauded El Ritmo de la Vida for its rich musical texture and virtuoso solo performances. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently declared, "They serve up an infectious, improvisational style…the end product is a marvelously lively, sophisticated sound. Whether they're playing up-tempo tunes or soulful ballads, the quintet take their turns at thoroughly engrossing solos."

After The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson aired its final episode in 1992, Severinsen, who had been in the show's band for thirty years and served as music director for 25 of them, took his music on the road. Doc Severinsen and His Big Band drew audiences to sold-out performances, giving Tonight Show musical talents their time in the spotlight. During this period, Severinsen also served as pops director of the Milwaukee Symphony, the Minnesota Orchestra and the Phoenix Symphony, and recorded more than 30 albums, squeezing in time to accept Grammy recognition.

Doc Severinsen, trumpet
Doc Severinsen's accomplishments began in his hometown of Arlington, Oregon, population 600. Doc originally wanted to play the trombone, but had to settle for the only horn available in Arlington's small music store, a trumpet. A week later, with the help of his father and a manual of instructions, the seven-year old was so good that he was invited to join the high school band. At the age of 12, Mr. Severinsen won the Music Educators National Contest and, while still in high school, was hired to go on the road with the famous Ted Fio Rito Orchestra. He served in the Army during World War II and, following his discharge, landed a spot with the Charlie Barnett Band.

Mr. Severinsen arrived in New York City in 1949 to become a staff musician for NBC. After years of playing with the network's studio bands, he was invited to play with the Tonight Show Band. An impressed conductor, Skitch Henderson, asked him to join that band in 1962 as first trumpet. Five years later, Mr. Severinsen took over as music director, where he stayed until 1992. After the Tonight Show, he continued to perform and conduct major orchestras throughout the United States and Canada. He held simultaneous titles as pops director for the Milwaukee Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra and the Phoenix Symphony.

A Grammy Award winner, Mr. Severinsen has made more than 30 albums-from big band to jazz-fusion to classical. Two critically acclaimed Telarc CDs with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra showcase his multifaceted talents from Bach to ballads. He received a Grammy Award for "Best Jazz Instrumental Performance: Big Band" for his recording of Doc Severinsen and The Tonight Show Band-Volume I.

Since moving to Mexico at the end of 2006, Mr. Severinsen has kept a busy performance schedule and discovered two talented musicians. Together with these gentlemen, he has crafted an innovative and exciting program. El Ritmo De La Vida is an apt description of Gil Gutiérrez and Pedro Cartas and their music. According to Mr. Severinsen, "I came to Mexico with retirement on my mind, but when I heard them play I knew that I would be playing with them for some time to come."

COMPLETE PROGRAM INFORMATION
BSO Superpops Presents: Doc Severinsen's El Ritmo de la Vida
Please Note: The BSO does not perform on this concert.

Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. - The Music Center at Strathmore
Friday, November 28, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. - The Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (JMSH)
Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. - JMSH
Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. - JMSH

Doc Severinsen, trumpet
Gil Gutiérrez, guitar
Pedro Cartas, violin
Gilberto Gonzalez, bass
Miguel Favero, percussion

Tickets for these concerts range from $25 to $80, and are available through the BSO Ticket Office, 877.BSO.1444 or 410.783.8000, or www.BSOmusic.org.