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

America’s top trumpet blows his last at 95

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

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

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?

Jay Friedman comes to mind

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

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."

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.

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

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/

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 !!