Doc Severinsen retiring

[robcat2075]

Tonight Show band leader Doc Severinsen has declared his retirement at... 95!

America’s top trumpet blows his last at 95

[harrisonreed]

The sound is still really good. Maybe he just ran out of ideas?

[robcat2075]

Here is a slightly more substantial write up...

Doc’s last show: Severinsen, 95, to play at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs with San Miguel 5

[robcat2075]

At 95, my dad would get worn out watching the Weather Channel.

I'd say Doc is in the top 1 or 2% of functionality for 95 year olds.

Who would be some similarly extremely-aged performing brass players?

[Remington]

Jay Friedman comes to mind

[harrisonreed]

He didn't have the mannerisms or body of someone who is 95 in that video. Looked like a fit middle aged person

[baileyman]

I once noticed him in Rockport, MA, so I thanked him for his music. He said, in good Texan, "It's been my plaesure the whole time."

[robcat2075]

This click-bait list of elderly pop performers goes from Dolly Parton (75) to Tony Bennett (95) but the last several on that list aren't really doing much currently.

A search the classical blog "Slippedisc" for "oldest" brings up mentions of 90+ conductors and teachers (104!) but not much for high level classical instrumentalists.

[BGuttman]

Roman Totenberg, violinist with the Boston Symphony and father to Nina Totenberg of NPR, was actively teaching almost until his death at 101.

[dbwhitaker]

There is a recent documentary film about Doc Severinsen that I enjoyed watching. It includes very impressive clips of him playing at 90.

https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmaster ... ary/17495/

[2bobone]

We are all familiar with Doc's powerful style, but has anyone else heard the gorgeous playing he does with Eric Kunzel & the Cincinnati "Pops" Orchestra of a suite of Puccini melodies from 1990 entitled "Trumpet Spectacular" on the TELARC label ? The first time I heard it I was unaware of who the trumpeter was and was astonished when they announced that it was Doc ! I've never heard more lyric playing coupled with unbeatable stamina. What a guy ! He was featured in several concerts with the NSO when I was still there and was a real "mensch" despite his towering talent ! What a guy !!