Virtuoso jazz trumpeter Doc Severinsen is well known as the Grammy Award-winning leader of the Tonight Show band. But this multi-faceted showman is also at home playing musical styles from pop to European classical. And with his vibrant personality, quick wit, and flamboyant attire, Severinsen really lights up a bandstand. His performance at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater is no exception to the rule.

It’s also not the first time that he and Billy Taylor have played together. Severinsen mentions that Billy hired him to play for the PBS television series, The Subject is Jazz, and recalls, "It was a great vote of confidence". But Billy maintains that Severinsen had the virtuosity and versatility that the show needed, and he particularly liked Doc’s mastery of the big band style.

Severinsen had honed his chops with Charlie Barnet’s highly acclaimed big band, joining greats like Clark Terry in the horn section. Barnet led one of the first racially integrated bands, and brought his band to previously segregated venues. So Severinsen toured many famous houses in the black theater circuit, such as New York’s Apollo Theater, and Washington’s Howard Theater. Billy notes that jazz musicians in those days "found one another" despite segregation.

Later in the show, the two revisit the subject of integration in jazz, as Severinsen recalls finding welcome opportunities playing with Latin bands in New York. Elaborating on the importance of diverse ethnic influences in music, he says, "two things that will never go out of American music…the blues…[and] the Latin beat." At Dr. Taylor’s request, Severinsen plays a passionate rendition of the classic Latin tune, "Besame Mucho".

Growing up in a small town in Oregon, Severinsen’s father was a classically trained amateur violinist. But he failed in his efforts to put his son on the same path. Severinsen was allured by the big band sound coming over the radio. He loved swing trumpeters like Bunny Berrigan, Harry James, and Roy Eldridge—and so his father gave in and gave him a coronet. Remembering Berrigan, Doc plays a stunning version of "I Can’t Get Started", reminiscent of the early swing era.

Severinsen’s father continued teaching him about music, using his own knowledge of the violin as a point of reference. Apparently, Severinsen was a quick learner. By the time he was fourteen he auditioned with Tommy Dorsey’s band. He went on the road professionally during his senior year in high school, and hasn’t stopped since.

Severinsen has continued to grow musically throughout his career. He now spends much of his time playing with symphony orchestras, and has been resident pops conductor for the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra for over fifteen years. But he approaches classical music in the same "down-to-earth" manner that has carried him through his whole career. He follows the advice of established maestro and friend Fred Fernell (who once gave him underwater conducting "lessons"). Fernell once told him, "don’t take it too seriously" when conducting an orchestra.

Severinsen maintains the same sense of humor that carried him through many years of working alongside comedian Johnny Carson. He says he misses the rush he always felt when Carson made his nightly stage entrance, and shares some of Carson’s own insights on the show’s music. Responding to questions from the audience, he talks about the success of his more recent tours with the Tonight Show band. These performances have given audiences an opportunity to hear the band play full renditions, uninterrupted by commercials!

After more lively conversation, Severinsen jumps into full swing with Duke Ellington’s "Take the ‘A’ Train". He then closes out the show with Mercer Ellington’s number, "Things Ain’t What They Used To Be".