Paul McCartney By Angye Morrison
Doc Severinsen, Paul McCartney tribute on stage at the PAC in January Two events at the Performing Arts Center at Georgia Southern University this month promise to be unforgettable. On Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m. trumpet legend Doc Severinsen will take the stage for a night of spectacular trumpeting and his trademark wit. Known for his outrageous fashion sense, Severinsen was the band leader on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson for many years, a spot he held beginning in 1962. The show’s final episode featuring host Johnny Carson, emcee Ed McMahon and Severinsen aired in May 1992, and within a week, Doc Severinsen and His Big Band were on the road, playing pop, jazz, bal-
20 • CONNECT Statesboro
lads and big band classics. In addition to all that, the Grammy award winner has produced more than 30 albums, with music ranging from jazz-fusion to classical to big band. Born in the very small town of Arlington, Oregon in 1927, Severinsen was named after his father, Dr. Carl Severinsen, who was a dentist and violinist. The nickname “Little Doc” stuck to the child who originally wanted to play the trombone. But because the instrument was not available in the tiny town’s music store, Severinsen had to settle for the trumpet at the tender age of seven.
A week later, with the help of his father and a manual of instructions, Severinsen was so good he was invited to join the local high school band. At 12, he won the Music Educator’s National Contest, and while still in high school, he was hired to go on the road with the Ted Fio Rito Orchestra. Severinsen was drafted and served in the Army during World War II, and joined the Charlie Barnett Band shortly after his discharge. He later toured with the Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman bands in the late 1940s. After years of playing with studio bands at NBC, he was invited to play in the Tonight Show Band. Five years later, he became the music director at the show. Retirement came when Severinsen moved in 2006 to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. But within weeks, he began playing with guitarist Gil Gutierrez. He now tours with Gutierrez in a quintet called The San Miguel Five, performing a mix of Latin and Gypsy jazz and standards. The group released an album, “Oblivion,” in 2014. Severinsen continues to tour with his Big Band, in addition to his San Miguel Five appearances, as well as perform with symphony orchestras all over the country. And now “Little Doc” will bring his special mix of humor and showmanship to the stage in Statesboro, along with the Georgia Southern Jazz Ensemble, which will provide the backing music. There will also be a live vocalist. Tickets for the evening will be $24 for adults, $10 for youth. Tony Kishman takes the stage on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. as “Live and Let Die: A Tribute to Paul McCartney” headlines the Rockin’ Out Alzheimer’s show, to benefit The Alzheimer’s Association. Kishman is an actor, singer and recording artist who bears a striking resemblance to McCartney. He starred for six years in the national and international tours of the Broadway hit, “Beatlemania.” Together with his band mate Jim Owen, Kishman also performs in the well-known and highly successful Beatles symphony show, “Classical Mystery Tour.” He also developed and costars in “Twist & Shout,” a Beatles tribute show. Kishman developed “Live and Let Die,” which features his own performance vocally, as well as on bass, guitar and piano, backed by a symphony orchestra. He is regarded by many as the world’s best McCartney lookalike, and his vocals are second to none. In addition to his stage performances, he has recorded for RCA Records and Mercury Records. Tickets for “Life And Let Die: A Tribute to Paul McCartney” are $20 for students, $25 for everyone else. For ticket information for either show, go online at http://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/ pac/ticketinformation/.