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The Tonight Show Band is the band which plays on the American
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
 television variety show
Variety show

A variety show or variety entertainment is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and comedy skits, and normally introduced by a Master of Ceremonies or Presenter....
, the Tonight Show. From 1962 to the 1990s, during the years the show was known as The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a late-night Talk/Chat show hosted by Johnny Carson under the The Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992....
, it was an important outlet for jazz
Jazz

Jazz is a primarily American musical art form which originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States from a confluence of African and European music traditions....
 on American television. During the Carson era, the band was always billed as "The NBC Orchestra" (not to be confused with the NBC Symphony Orchestra
NBC Symphony Orchestra

The NBC Symphony Orchestra was a radio orchestra established by David Sarnoff of the National Broadcasting Company especially for conductor Arturo Toscanini....
) and sometimes "Doc Severinsen and the NBC Orchestra."

The band was founded in 1954, and its first long-term director was Skitch Henderson
Skitch Henderson

Lyle Russell Cedric ?Skitch? Henderson , was a pianist, conducting, and composer. His nickname reportedly derived from his ability to quickly "re-sketch" a song in a different key....
 (1954-57).






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The Tonight Show Band is the band which plays on the American
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
 television variety show
Variety show

A variety show or variety entertainment is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and comedy skits, and normally introduced by a Master of Ceremonies or Presenter....
, the Tonight Show. From 1962 to the 1990s, during the years the show was known as The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a late-night Talk/Chat show hosted by Johnny Carson under the The Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992....
, it was an important outlet for jazz
Jazz

Jazz is a primarily American musical art form which originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States from a confluence of African and European music traditions....
 on American television. During the Carson era, the band was always billed as "The NBC Orchestra" (not to be confused with the NBC Symphony Orchestra
NBC Symphony Orchestra

The NBC Symphony Orchestra was a radio orchestra established by David Sarnoff of the National Broadcasting Company especially for conductor Arturo Toscanini....
) and sometimes "Doc Severinsen and the NBC Orchestra."

The band was founded in 1954, and its first long-term director was Skitch Henderson
Skitch Henderson

Lyle Russell Cedric ?Skitch? Henderson , was a pianist, conducting, and composer. His nickname reportedly derived from his ability to quickly "re-sketch" a song in a different key....
 (1954-57). Henderson was replaced by Jose Melis
Jose Melis

Jos? Melis was born Jos? Melis Guiu.Melis studied at the Havana Conservatory of Music and a Cuban government scholarship enabled him to continue his education in Paris....
 in 1957, when Jack Paar
Jack Paar

Jack Harold Paar was an United States radio and television talk show host most noted for his stint as host of The Tonight Show....
 took over as host from Steve Allen
Steve Allen (comedian)

Steve Allen, born Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen , was an United States television personality, musician, actor, comedian, and writer....
. Henderson returned in 1962 when Johnny Carson
Johnny Carson

John William ?Johnny? Carson was an American television host and comedian, known as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for 30 years....
 took over from Paar. Carson increased the band budget, and Henderson created a major jazz big band
Big band

A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with playing jazz music and which became popular during the swing from the early 1930s until the late 1940s....
 by hiring some of the best jazz
Jazz

Jazz is a primarily American musical art form which originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States from a confluence of African and European music traditions....
 musicians from the touring big band
Big band

A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with playing jazz music and which became popular during the swing from the early 1930s until the late 1940s....
s which were going out of business at the time, and by commissioning charts from top jazz arrangers. The new band included Clark Terry
Clark Terry

Clark Terry , is an American swing music and bebop trumpeter, a pioneer of the fluegelhorn in jazz, educator, and NEA Jazz Masters inductee....
, Bobby Rosengarden
Bobby Rosengarden

Robert Marshall Rosengarden was a jazz drummer, Percussion instrumentist and bandleader. A native of Elgin, Illinois, he was a solid and versatile contributor on countless Gramophone record sessions and playing in Television network orchestras and Talk show bands....
, Doc Severinsen
Doc Severinsen

Carl Hilding "Doc" Severinsen is an United States popular music and jazz trumpeter. He is best known for leading the Tonight Show Band on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson....
, Urbie Green
Urbie Green

Urban Clifford "Urbie" Green is an US professional jazz trombonist who toured with Woody Herman, Gene Krupa, Jan Savitt, and Frankie Carle. He appears on over 250 recordings and has released more than two dozen albums as a soloist and is highly respected by his fellow trombonists....
, Ed Shaughnessy, and Ernie Royal
Ernie Royal

Ernest Andrew Royal was a jazz trumpeter associated with Big Band, Swing music and Bebop. His older brother was clarinetist and alto saxophonist Marshal Royal, with whom he appears on the classic Ray Charles big band recording The Genius of Ray Charles ....
, among others.

In 1966, Henderson left the show and was replaced by Milton DeLugg
Milton DeLugg

Milton DeLugg is an United States composer and arranger.A talented accordionist, he appeared in short Soundies musicals and occasional movies ....
, who in 1967 was replaced by Severinsen. Severinsen continued to add important musicians to the band, including Louie Bellson
Louie Bellson

Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni , better known by the stage name Louie Bellson , was an Italian-American jazz drummer. He was a composer, arranger, bandleader, and jazz educator, and is credited with pioneering the Double bass drumming....
, Allen Vizzutti
Allen Vizzutti

Allen Vizzutti is an United States trumpeter, composer and music educator....
, and Snooky Young
Snooky Young

Eugene "Snooky" Young is an American jazz trumpeter. He is known for his mastery of the plunger mute , with which he is able to create a wide range of sounds....
. The show's move from New York to California effected a significant change in the band's personnel.

In 1992, when Jay Leno
Jay Leno

James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno is an Emmy Award-winning American stand-up comedian, television host and writer, who succeeded Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 1992....
 replaced Carson, Branford Marsalis
Branford Marsalis

Branford Marsalis is an United States saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque....
 took over as musical director, and a new smaller band was formed. Marsalis was succeeded in 1995 by Kevin Eubanks
Kevin Eubanks

Kevin Tyrone Eubanks , is a jazz guitarist who has been the leader of the Tonight Show Band with host Jay Leno since 1995. He composed the The Tonight Show with Jay Leno's closing theme music, "Kevin's Country," in 1992....
.

Current band members

  • Leader/Guitar: Kevin Eubanks
    Kevin Eubanks

    Kevin Tyrone Eubanks , is a jazz guitarist who has been the leader of the Tonight Show Band with host Jay Leno since 1995. He composed the The Tonight Show with Jay Leno's closing theme music, "Kevin's Country," in 1992....
     (May 25, 1992)
  • Saxophone: Ralph Moore
    Ralph Moore

    Ralph Moore is a jazz saxophonist....
     (January 30, 1995) (previously Branford Marsalis
    Branford Marsalis

    Branford Marsalis is an United States saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque....
    )
  • Trumpet: Kye Palmer
    Kye Palmer

    Kye Palmer is a trumpet player who currently performs with the Tonight Show Band.Palmer, a native Californian who holds a bachelor?s degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, studied with such legends as trumpet great Bobby Shew and jazz vibraphonist Charlie Shoemaker....
     (April 10, 2006) (previously Lee Thornburg
    Lee Thornburg

    Lee Thornburg is a trumpetist that has been playing with many known artists and also has been a member of the bands Supertramp and Tower of Power....
     and Chuck Findley
    Chuck Findley

    Chuck Findley is an American session musician and studio musician. Most widely-known as a trumpet player, he also plays other horn instruments such as flugelhorn and trombone....
    )
  • Trombone: Matt Finders
    Matt Finders

    Matt Finders, a native of Livermore, California, is the trombonist with the Tonight Show Band under Kevin Eubanks.When 12, he chose the trombone because his brother already had one....
     (May 25, 1992)
  • Keyboard: Gerry Etkins (August 1995) (previously Kenny Kirkland
    Kenny Kirkland

    Kenneth David ?Kenny? Kirkland was an American pianist/keyboardist. Considered by many to be one of the most important and influential pianists of his generation, he is most often associated with Sting , Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, and Kenny Garrett....
    )
  • Bass: Stanley Sargeant (February 2002) (previously Bob Hurst)
  • Drums: Marvin "Smitty" Smith
    Marvin Smith

    Marvin "Smitty" Smith is an United States Jazz drumming and composer. Smith has been the drummer on The Tonight Show The Tonight Show with Jay Leno since January 30, 1995....
     (January 30, 1995) (previously Jeff "Tain" Watts)
  • Percussion: Vicki Randle
    Vicki Randle

    Vicki Randle is an United States singer, multi-instrumentalist and composer, known as the first female member of the Tonight Show Band, starting with host Jay Leno in 1992....
     (May 25, 1992)


Former band members

  • Trumpet: Conte Candoli
    Conte Candoli

    Secondo "Conte" Candoli was an United States jazz trumpeter based on the West Coast of the US. He played in the big bands of Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman, and Dizzy Gillespie, and in Doc Severinsen's NBC Orchestra on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson....
     (1968-1992), Clark Terry
    Clark Terry

    Clark Terry , is an American swing music and bebop trumpeter, a pioneer of the fluegelhorn in jazz, educator, and NEA Jazz Masters inductee....
    , Snooky Young
    Snooky Young

    Eugene "Snooky" Young is an American jazz trumpeter. He is known for his mastery of the plunger mute , with which he is able to create a wide range of sounds....
     (1967-1992), Maurey Harris
  • Trumpet/Flugelhorn/Bandleader: Doc Severinsen
    Doc Severinsen

    Carl Hilding "Doc" Severinsen is an United States popular music and jazz trumpeter. He is best known for leading the Tonight Show Band on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson....
  • Trumpet/Flugelhorn: John Audino, Allen Vizzutti
    Allen Vizzutti

    Allen Vizzutti is an United States trumpeter, composer and music educator....
  • Trombone: Gilbert Falco, Bruce Paulson
  • Bass Trombone: Ernie Tack
  • Alto Sax/Clarinet/Flute: John Bambridge
  • Alto Sax/Arranger/Assistant Bandleader: Tommy Newsom
    Tommy Newsom

    Thomas Penn "Tommy" Newsom was a saxophone player in the NBC Orchestra on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, for which he later became assistant director....
     (1962-1992)
  • Tenor Sax/Flute/Clarinet: Pete Christlieb
    Pete Christlieb

    Pete Christlieb is a jazz bebop, West Coast jazz and hard bop tenor saxophonist born in Los Angeles, California and son of bassoonist Don Christlieb....
    , Bill Perkins
    Bill Perkins (saxophonist)

    Bill Perkins was a cool jazz saxophonist and flautist popular on the West Coast jazz scene, known primarily as a tenor saxophonist. Born in San Francisco, California, Perkins started out performing in the big bands of Woody Herman and Jerry Wald....
    , Ernie Watts
    Ernie Watts

    Ernie Watts is an American jazz and rhythm and blues musician. He plays saxophone and flute. He might be best known for his work with Charlie Haden's Quartet West and his Grammy Awards as an instrumentalist....
  • Tenor Sax/Bandleader: Branford Marsalis
    Branford Marsalis

    Branford Marsalis is an United States saxophonist, composer and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the group Buckshot LeFonque....
  • Baritone Sax/Bass Sax/Flute/Euphonium: Don Ashworth
  • Guitar: Bob Bain, Peter Woodford, Tony Mottola
    Tony Mottola

    Tony Mattola was an United States guitarist who released dozens of solo albums. Mattola was born in Kearny, New Jersey and died in Denville, New Jersey....
  • Piano: Ross Tompkins
  • Bass: Joel DiBartolo
  • Drums: Jack Sperling
    Jack Sperling

    Jack Sperling was an American Big Band, television and studio drummer. He was a recording artist, versatile jazz combo and dynamic Dixieland musician....
     (1962), Shelly Manne
    Shelly Manne

    Shelly Manne , born Sheldon Manne in New York City, was an American Jazz drumming. Most frequently associated with West coast jazz, he was known for his versatility and also played in a number of other styles, including Dixieland, Swing music, bebop, avant-garde jazz and Jazz fusion, as well as contributing to the musical background of...
     (1963), Ed Shaughnessy, Louie Bellson
    Louie Bellson

    Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni , better known by the stage name Louie Bellson , was an Italian-American jazz drummer. He was a composer, arranger, bandleader, and jazz educator, and is credited with pioneering the Double bass drumming....


Additional former members of the New York Tonight Show Band from 1962 on (not including those already mentioned) included:
  • Trumpets: Bob McCoy, John Frosk, Dick Perry, Jimmy Maxwell
    Jimmy Maxwell

    Jimmy Maxwell was an American swing jazz trumpeter.Maxwell played cornet from an early age, studying with Herbert L. Clarke in the early 1930s....
    , Joe Ferrante, Yank Lawson
    Yank Lawson

    John Rhea Lawson was a jazz trumpeter known for Dixieland and also some swing music. He was known as "Yank Lawson" for most of his life.From 1933 to 1935 he worked in Ben Pollack's orchestra and after that became a founding member of the Bob Crosby Orchestra....
    , Mel Davis, Bernie Glo, Carl Poole
  • Trombones: Sy Berger, Will Bradley
    Will Bradley

    Wilbur Schwichtenberg was an United States trombonist and bandleader who performed under the name Will Bradley. He was known for swing music and sweet dance music, as well as boogie woogie songs, many of which were written by Don Raye....
    , Buddy Morrow
    Buddy Morrow

    Buddy Morrow, is an United States trombone and bandleader. He is known for his mastery of the upper range which is evident in gramophone record such as "The Golden Trombone," as well as his ballad playing....
    , Bob Alexander, Sonny Russo
    Sonny Russo

    Santo J. "Sonny" Russo is an American jazz trombonist.Russo grew up in a musical family; both his father and grandfather were professional horn players....
    , Willie Dennis, Herb Wise, Paul Faulise, Dick Lieb
  • Saxophones: Walt Levinsky, Don Raffell, Hymie Schertzer, Sid Cooper, Paul Ricci, Dean Kincaid, Arnie Lawrence
    Arnie Lawrence

    Arnold Lawrence Finkelstein, better known as Arnie Lawrence Lawrence studied clarinet in his youth before switching to saxophone. He played from age 12 in clubs in the Catskills, and by age 17 was performing at Birdland, at one point working a double bill with John Coltrane....
    , Harold Feldman, Al Klink
    Al Klink

    Al Klink was an American swing jazz tenor saxophone.Klink played with Glenn Miller from 1939 to 1942, and is heard trading solos with Tex Beneke on the most well-known version of "In the Mood"....
    , Al Howard, Wally Kane, Bobby Tricarico, Lew Tabackin
    Lew Tabackin

    Lew Tabackin is a jazz flautist and a List of saxophonists. He is married to Toshiko Akiyoshi, who is a jazz pianist and a composer/arranger....
  • Piano: Derek Smith
    Derek Smith (musician)

    Derek Smith is an English people jazz pianist.Smith played piano from a very young age, and worked professionally from age 14. In the 1950s he played with many noted British jazz musicians, such as Kenny Graham, John Dankworth, and Kenny Baker, then moved to New York City in the middle of the decade....
  • Guitar: Bucky Pizzarelli
    Bucky Pizzarelli

    John Paul 'Bucky' Pizzarelli is an United States classical jazz guitarist and banjoist, perhaps most notable for his work with jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli, his son....
    , Gene Bertoncini
  • Bass: Eddy Safranski, Bob Haggart
    Bob Haggart

    Bob Haggart was a dixieland jazz double bass player, composer and arranger. He becamer a founder-member of the Bob Crosby Band . Arranged and part-composed several of the band's big successes....
    , Julie Ruggiero, Bill Takis
  • Drums: Grady Tate
    Grady Tate

    Grady Tate, , is a hard bop and soul-jazz drummer and singer.He has played with Lena Horne, Astrud Gilberto, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Blossom Dearie, Chris Connor, Sarah Vaughan, Ray Charles, Cal Tjader, Peggy Lee, Bill Evans, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Tom Rapp, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Stanley Turrentine, Charles Earland, Quincy Jones,...