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Doc Severinsen and Ernie Watts concert tour...WOW

Last night my wife and I went to see Doc Severinsen and his band in Dubuque, IA. Doc can still crank out the tunes and hit the 'high notes' with the best of them. Ernie Watts was the saxophone soloist, along with a great band supporting them. Songs selections really showcased their talents, like 'Sing Sing Sing', 'Caravan', and 'Johnny's Theme'. Doc was at the top of his game despite being 86 years old! If you get the chance to see this great show, I highly recommend doing so.
busman
frogman
7,497 posts
 
Blasting?! Seriously? I understand and agree that Doc is not an introspective ballad player like a Miles or Chet Baker; in fact, he is really not a jazz player in the usual sense. Sure, he can improvise, a little, and most of his "improvised" solos are fully worked out. But, when it comes to mastery of the trumpet with control, range, pitch and tone, there have not been very many like him. Ask trumpet players in any genre and they will, almost to the man agree that, in his prime, he was one of the best.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GDPzaqCo9ok
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
Well I'm not questioning his mastery of the instrument, there is no question regarding his technical expertise and I'm not comparing to the more introspective stylists either, some of which you mentioned. I personally didn't like to hear that screaming trumpet which was his trademark, I just found it irritating.

btw, that link Frogman kind of reminds me of Bobby Hackett's style with a bit more energy, nice!
ptss
1,964 posts
 
This thread reminds me Doc was the man in the Montreal area back in the 60's - if my memory is right... before the Carson gig.
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