Severinsen, Doc (actually, Carl Hilding)
Severinsen, Doc (actually, Carl Hilding)
Severinsen, Doc (actually, Carl Hilding ), American trumpeter, bandleader, conductor, and teacher; b. Arlington, Ore., July 7, 1927. He studied cornet with his father and with Benny Baker. After playing lead trumpet in the big bands of Charlie Barnet, Tommy Dorsey, and Benny Goodman, he joined the staff of NBC in 1949 and appeared regularly on television. He became asst. conductor of Skitch Henderson’s orch. on Johnny Carson’s Tonight television show in 1962, and from 1967 to 1992 was the music director. He also worked with his own groups in concert and nightclub settings, made many recordings, and was active in brass clinics and workshops for young musicians. He likewise appeared as a trumpet virtuoso and conductor with various American orchs. In 1993 he was named principal pops conductor of the Minn. Orch. in Minneapolis. While perhaps best known for his work in popular music, he has not forsaken the performance of more serious music. On Sept. 24, 1992, he was soloist in the premiere of Zwilich’s Trumpet Concerto in San Diego.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire