The Tonight Show Band

The Tonight Show Band is the band which plays on the American television variety show, The Tonight Show. From 1962 to the 1990s, during the years the show was known as The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, the band was a 17-piece Big Band, and was an important outlet for jazz 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) and sometimes "Doc Severinsen and the NBC Orchestra."

History

The band was founded in 1954, coincidental to the NBC Symphony Orchestra being disbanded. Its first long-term director was Skitch Henderson (1954–57). Henderson was replaced by Jose Melis in 1957, when Jack Paar took over as host from Steve Allen. Henderson returned in 1962 when Johnny Carson took over from Paar. Carson increased the band budget, and Henderson created a major jazz big band by hiring some of the best jazz musicians from the touring big bands which were going out of business at the time, and by commissioning charts from top jazz arrangers. The new band included Clark Terry, Bobby Rosengarden, Doc Severinsen, Urbie Green, Ed Shaughnessy, and Ernie Royal, among others.

In 1966, Henderson left the show and was replaced by Milton DeLugg, who in 1967 was replaced by Doc Severinsen. Severinsen continued to add important musicians to the band, including Louie Bellson, Allen Vizzutti, and Snooky Young. The show's move from New York to California effected a significant change in the band's personnel. In 1992, when Jay Leno replaced Carson, Branford Marsalis took over as musical director, and a new smaller band was formed. Marsalis was succeeded in 1995 by Kevin Eubanks. This ended the tradition of a large in-house studio orchestra on American Television.

In June 2009, Conan O'Brien took over hosting duties from Leno. Max Weinberg likewise replaced Kevin Eubanks as band leader, with the erstwhile house band from Late Night with Conan O'Brien forming Max Weinberg and The Tonight Show Band. Eubanks and his band migrated to The Jay Leno Show in September 2009 as the Primetime Band. When Conan O'Brien left The Tonight Show in February 2010, Leno came back as host for a second tenure, bringing back Kevin Eubanks, who took a more limited role in Leno's second run as host. Eubanks announced his departure from the show in February 2010; his last show was May 28, 2010.

On June 7, 2010, Rickey Minor officially became the new bandleader for The Tonight Show Band, writing a brand new theme song which has been shaken up for the third time in one year (including Conan O'Brien's version). Minor claims that the new band will bring a brand new tone and energy to the show. Minor has said he's been approached by approximately 75 artists after being hired for the show, some of whom include Smokey Robinson, Nancy Wilson, Steve Vai, Arturo Sandoval, Bret Michaels, Snoop Dogg, Shania Twain, and more who will eventually sit in with the band.

Tonight Show Band Members

Current (Under Leno)

Main article: Rickey Minor and The Tonight Show Band

• Leader/Bass: Rickey Minor
• Saxophone: Randolph Ellis, Miguel Gandelman
• Trumpet: Raymond Monterio
• Trombone: Garrett Smith
• Keyboard: J. Wayne Linsey, David Delhomme
• Guitar: Paul Jackson, Jr.
• Drums: Teddy Campbell
• Percussion: Kevin Ricard
• Vocals: Dorian Holley

Former (Under O'Brien)

Main article: Max Weinberg and The Tonight Show Band

• Drums, Bandleader: Max Weinberg
• Electric Guitar, Fill-In Bandleader: Jimmy Vivino
• Trombone, Tambourine: Richie "LaBamba" Rosenberg
• Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet: Jerry Vivino
• Trumpet, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals: Mark Pender
• Keyboards: Scott Healy
• Bass Guitar: Mike Merritt
• Percussion, Fill-In Drums: James Wormworth
• Fill-In Percussion: Ronnie Gutierrez

Former (Under Leno)

Main article: Kevin Eubanks and The Tonight Show Band

• Leader/Guitar: Kevin Eubanks
• Saxophone: Ralph Moore
• Trumpet: Kye Palmer, Lee Thornburg, Chuck Findley
• Trombone: Matt Finders
• Keyboard: Gerry Etkins, Kenny Kirkland
• Bass: Derrick "Dock" Murdock, Stanley Sarggeant, Bob Hurst, Kenny Davis
• Drums: Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Jeff "Tain" Watts
• Percussion/Vocals: Vicki Randle

Former (Under Carson)

• Trumpet: Conte Candoli (1968–1992), Clark Terry (in New York), Snooky Young (1967–1992), Maurey Harris
• Trumpet/Flugelhorn/Bandleader: Doc Severinsen
• Trumpet/Flugelhorn: John Audino, Allen Vizzutti, Chuck Findley
• Trombone: Gilbert Falco, Bruce Paulson
• Bass Trombone: Ernie Tack
• Alto Sax/Clarinet/Flute: John Bambridge
• Alto Sax/Arranger/Assistant Bandleader: Tommy Newsom (1962–1992)
• Tenor Sax/Flute/Clarinet: Pete Christlieb, Bill Perkins, Ernie Watts
• Tenor Sax/Bandleader: Branford Marsalis
• Baritone Sax/Bass Sax/Flute/Euphonium: Don Ashworth
• Guitar: Bob Bain, Peter Woodford, Tony Mottola, Bucky Pizzarelli, Herb Ellis
• Piano: Ross Tompkins
• Fill-In Piano: Russ Freeman
• Bass: Joel DiBartolo
• Drums: Jack Sperling (1962), Shelly Manne (1963), Ed Shaughnessy, Louie Bellson

Additional former members of the New York Tonight Show Band from 1962 on include:

• Trumpets: Bob McCoy, John Frosk, Dick Perry, Jimmy Maxwell, Joe Ferranti, Yank Lawson, Mel Davis, Bernie Glo, Carl Poole
• Trombones: Sy Berger, Will Bradley, Buddy Morrow, Bob Alexander, Sonny Russo, Willie Dennis, Herb Wise, Paul Faulise, Dick Lieb
• Saxophones: Walt Levinsky, Don Raffell, Hymie Schertzer, Sid Cooper, Paul Ricci, Dean Kincaid, Arnie Lawrence, Harold Feldman, Al Klink, Al Howard, Wally Kane, Bobby Tricarico, Lew Tabackin, Brian Scanlon (1988-1992)
• Piano: Derek Smith
• Guitar: Bucky Pizzarelli, Gene Bertoncini
• Bass: Eddy Safranski, Bob Haggart, Julie Ruggiero, Bill Takis
• Drums: Grady Tate

Discography

The Severinsen-led incarnation of the band released several record albums on the Amherst Records label.

• The Tonight Show Band (Amherst AMH-3311, 1986)
• The Tonight Show Band, Vol. II (Amherst AMH-3312, 1990)
• Once More...with Feeling! (Amherst AMH-94405, 1992)
• Merry Christmas (Amherst AMH-94406, 1992)