The Tonight Show Band gained fame during Johnny Carson's tenure as host of the perennially popular late-night TV program. Not only did the band gain air time with its playing, but it was a foil for Carson's jokes. The role of collective straight man did not in any way hinder the ensemble from being an exciting champion of dynamic big-band swing. The chairs are filled with veterans of topflight big bands and studio work as well. Performers like John Audino, Bill Perkins, Gil Falco, and Conte Candoli anchor the band's sections while Ed Shaughnessy's relentless drums drive the outfit. And they are playing well-conceived charts by such arrangers as Bill Holman, Tommy Newsom, and Dick Lieb. Most of the tunes on this session are familiar big-band barnburners and feature the high-voltage trumpet of leader Doc Severinsen. While others get a few bars of soloing now and then, it's Severinsen's show all the way. There is a break in the fast-paced stuff with a lovely rendition "How Long Has This Been Going On" with romantic Harry James-like blowing (vibrato and all) by Severinsen. But it's the heart-stoppers like "One O'Clock Jump" and "Begin the Beguine" that dominate this session. All in all, this album captures disciplined, well-charted big-band music, and is recommended. ~ Dave Nathan, All Music Guide
Conte Candoli (Trumpet), Conte Candoli (Flugelhorn), Pete Christlieb (Clarinet), Pete Christlieb (Flute), Pete Christlieb (Sax (Tenor)), Bill Holman (Arranger), Bill Perkins (Clarinet), Bill Perkins (Flute), Bill Perkins (Sax (Alto)), Ed Shaughnessy (Drums), Ed Shaughnessy (Drums (Snare)), Ross Tompkins (Piano), Tonight Show Band (Main Performer), Tonight Show Band (Performer), Jeff Tyzik (Producer), Allen Vizzutti (Trumpet), Allen Vizzutti (Flugelhorn), Allen Vizzutti (Producer), Bob Bain (Guitar), Tommy Newsom (Clarinet), Tommy Newsom (Flute), Tommy Newsom (Arranger), Tommy Newsom (Sax (Alto)), Don Ashworth (Clarinet), Don Ashworth (Flute), Don Ashworth (Euphonium), Don Ashworth (Sax (Baritone)), Don Ashworth (Sax (Bass)), John Audino (Trumpet), John Audino (Flugelhorn), John Bainbridge (Clarinet), John Bainbridge (Flute), John Bainbridge (Sax (Alto)), John Bambridge (Clarinet), John Bambridge (Flute), John Bambridge (Arranger), John Bambridge (Sax (Alto)), Mike Barone (Arranger), Joel DiBartolo (Bass), Gilbert Falco (Trombone), Bernie Grundman (Mastering), Mick Guzauski (Engineer), Mick Guzauski (Mixing), Mick Guzauski (Recording Technician), Maurice Harris (Trumpet), Maurice Harris (Flugelhorn), Daren Klein (Assistant Engineer), Dick Lieb (Arranger), Richard McKernan (Assistant Engineer), Bruce Paulson (Trombone), Doc Severinsen (Trumpet), Doc Severinsen (Conductor), Doc Severinsen (Flugelhorn), Doc Severinsen (Main Performer), Doc Severinsen (Performer), Doc Severinsen (Bel Canto Trumpet), Ernie Tack (Trombone (Bass)), Ernie Watts (Clarinet), Ernie Watts (Flute), Ernie Watts (Sax (Tenor)), Peter Woodford (Guitar), Snooky Young (Trumpet), Snooky Young (Flugelhorn), Brian D. McLaughlin (Art Direction), Brian D. McLaughlin (Design), Brian D. McLaughlin (Photography), Al Lapin (Orchestra Manager), Shelly Cohen (Librarian), Sheree Haley (Design), Maurey Harris (Trumpet), Maurey Harris (Flugelhorn), Jesse Peck (Assistant Engineer)
