Doc Severinsen plays a Tribute to Harry James Aug 2, 1988

I was in attendance at this concert in 1988. It was 105 degrees at concert time at Riverbend outdoor amphitheater in Cincinnati, Ohio. Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops presented "Big Band Hit Parade". The soloists included Buddy Morrow, Dave Brubeck, Eddie Daniels, Gerry Mulligan, Ray Brown, Ed Shaughnessy, Cab Calloway, and Doc Severinsen. Doc played a beautiful, heartfelt tribute to his all-time hero Harry James by playing "You Made Me Love You". Doc hits the final double-high A "flat" but lips it in tune and recieved an great ovation.

[@songbirdlive4011]

His tone is SO VERY GOOD! It is a major accomplishment since he is playing outside!

[@user-yg4wi6zr8x]

Listen to all of us wannabe 's. Harry, Doc, Al, Louie , these were the best of all time ! Just listen , enjoy, marvel and thank God for the music. They're talent truly a gift to all of us.

[@photo7839]

Wow that was fantastic.... this gets a Headphones Award.. Meaning if its that good... throw on the headphones it will be so much better..

[@TheLonesometoad]

As an 8th grader I had the opportunity to play a duet with Doc at our Junior high School winter concert. That was back in about 1967. This is a memory I will keep with me to my grave. And what a personable guy he is. The friendliest guy ever and was with us for a day before the concert so he could rehearse with the 8th grade band.

[@frrandallackley1602]

BACK IN 1967, I WAS 36. KNOW DOC MOSTLY FROM JOHNNY CARSON SHOW. DID SEE HARRY JAMES IN CONCERT ONCE. A WONDER.

[@jazzimpact]

lucky dude

[@247hdjazz]

RECORDING?

[@suzannemcmaken4648]

😲❤

[@Bigskyguy56]

Absolutely Fantastic. Pure Talent . My Father' Generation had it all. Despite the War, they had great times, great music , and a COUNTRY that was the BEST. God Bless "The Greatest Generation" . God Bless America & All Who Support & Defend Her.

[@brianbaumgarn5795]

This is a gold tribute to James, no matter what anyone else says. What a concert that had to be.

[@El_Bueno]

The purest trumpet sound in the business.

[@trpt4him]

This is one of the things I admire so much about Doc, is his humanity. There's something to be said for seeing someone fighting to deal with their limitations and overcome them. I would rather have seen this than someone screaming out a final high A and then acting all cocky afterwards.

[@yerachmiel.4838]

An excellent tribute to the immortal Harry James

[@EndangeredMooseknuckle]

One legend paying tribute to another legend... good stuff..

[@bugler1304]

Just as there was, and always will be, just one Harry James, there will only be Doc...no one will ever come close to him!!

[@dougdanzeisen9608]

Wow, missed this concert, wish I had been there. Doc is a national treasure.

[@flylooper]

Terrific! The pride of Hood River, Oregon. The music just rolls over you like a warm wind. Doc's still got the chops. That last note was a tough one....

[@fernmann7]

He lipped it up though

[@roberthoffhines5419]

I was working with the CSO librarian that summer. The region was under an intense heat wave/drought all summer. I remember the brass players (great to see Tony Chipurn's slide technique...miss his face!) saying it was well over 100 degrees that night and Riverbend concert stage is RIGHT next to that humid Ohio River. I played extra with the Diane Schuur concert that summer (or maybe in '89) and was drenched in perspiration! My slide cream melted into a slurry in its container! Fascinating to see how Doc prepares for the high concert G at the end. Conserving power, concentrating the mind...set up and GO! I remember watching his breathing in rehearsal. This is inspiring. Brilliant playing by all on stage.

[@martinkaramon5929]

What a blow is right!!!!! Most of us couldn't touch his talent/ability with a ten foot pole. Bad last note??? Who cares..... the entire piece was sheer genius, and I'll take ALL the notes. Awesome performance!!!!!!!!

[@247hdjazz]

SHOWED HE WAS HUMAN.....BARELY

[@MaynardFreek]

@@247hdjazz by the end he was a tad tired

[@allancady3990]

You could tell way before the end that he was running out of gas... all the lip flutters during rests, and you could tell he skipped a couple notes the last few bars trying to save a little for the A. Even the greatest have their down moments. And he was truly one of the greatest.

[@biketech60]

It was easy to take Doc for granted on the Tonight Show that we forget what a master musician he truly was ! Sounds like Dad's 78's of HJ

[@Kinseydsp]

I was Blessed to See Harry play at Sunny Brook Ball Room in Pottstown Pa for the last time with Lynn Roberts singing with Him, Got his audugraph will never forger his performance!

[@frrandallackley1602]

I SAW HIM AT BALLROOM IN TAMPA IN 1951... WONDER.

[@maynardwaltrip]

In those weather conditions, that ending took courage and balls - both of which Doc has ample amounts.

[@mikeshirk1137]

@Mike Gilbert: Doc still is a master. I had the pleasure to perform with him last summer at the American Band College concert in Medford, OR. I should say I was one of 200 band members and he a guest soloist. We had Allen Vizzutti, Bobby Shew, and Doc among others. Watching the three of them duke it out (all friendly, of course) was legendary. I can tell you, this man gave no ground. He had a mic, but I don't think he used it much - or needed it, either! I had a chat with him after one of the rehearsals and I can say he is a gentleman, too. Great memories. I hope there will be many more.

[@user-yg4wi6zr8x]

Doc .......Wow ! Harry would be proud !!!

[@vaughnnark1733]

Beautiful! Vaughn 🎺

[@kraps25]

you only wish Helen Forrest would come out and sing .. Thanks Doc.. superb

[@247hdjazz]

SHE DID! IN MY IMAGINATION!

[@philpryor7524]

It is very, very beautiful, a huge aggregation and collection of superior musicians ready and able to show the skill and class necessary to play so well. Wonderful!

[@brucekuehn4031]

Harry James and Doc share a basic belief in hard work and practice, practice, practice. Harry grew up playing in the circus bands with his father and there was nothing physically harder. Hours and hours on the Arban book. Those are face muscles (and diaphragm) and there’s no way to cut corners. Doc used to lead The Milwaukee Pops and he’d also have a small group out in the lobby. You didn’t want to walk too close in front of his bell anymore than you’d walk in front of a flame thrower. That was some intense SOUND that came out of his trumpet!

[@wythetrumpet6419]

Ah yes, no one can play it quite like the Doctor. I heard Doc live for the first time in 1971. I knew then I wanted to be a trumpet player. That’s been 47 years ago, and I still love to play the trumpet. Incredibly Doc is still playing at age 91. Thank you Doc for your kindness and influencing so many trumpet players.

[@georgelustrea2912]

DOC!!! WITHOUT A DOUBT----THE BEST!!!!!

[@tromba00001]

My all-time idol and inspiration to play the trumpet in the first place. An impeccable artist totally true to his craft and the art of music and a real gentlemen to boot!

[@terrystrand]

As Al Hirt, another trumpet god, told Doc on the Tonight Show, "Doc, you make me feel like an amateur! I've never heard Doc flub a note, and as a trumpeter myself, I've been watching him for decades...thanx for posting this. Wonderful.

[@donaldduke2233]

Most impressions are done vocally. This was a great Harry James impression by the great Doc Severinsen.

[@kgoerbig]

That Double-A at the end was a killer

[@lbird2]

Doc was the best but you could tell he was fighting it that night.

[@matteowatteo1296]

Harry James was MF's favorite trumpet player. Nice job Doc!

[@mikebamber8150]

Great Cadenza at the end. But Doc, that last note ! Ugh!! Harry had that great romantic sound which has never been bettered IMO.

[@mikegilbert2500]

you said it. Doc was a total master

[@VKDM8687]

HE GOT THAT LAST NOTE!! Geeeeeeeeez what a talent!

[@Chazd1949]

Doc's playing probably raised the temperature even a little more. Doc was just 61 years old when he played that. Interestingly, thirty years later, at age 91, Doc led a large trumpet ensemble in front of the Alamo in San Antonio at the annual ITG Conference in 2018. It was about 105 degrees then also. I know because I was one of the sweating trumpet players in the group; but Doc just shrugged it off just like he was 61 again. He played an amazing indoor concert later in the week and could still peel the paint off the wall with his powerful sound. Long live Doc Severinsen!

[@mhenrikse]

the best non-symphonic trumpet sound ever!

[@Lafayette320]

"Thank you, Doctor."

[@quirkwoods]

Fantastic!

[@tpledger100]

Doc says: Damn, I'm glad that's over with!

[@archieshiver4965]

their is still no way to describe how grate Doc is.

[@larrysmith6797]

+Archie Shiver I always found Doc to be great, not grating.

[@pauloribeiro5048]

Fantástico que lindo.

[@sidneyburton305]

More more more

[@BH21206]

Beautiful !!!

[@betmic55]

Great tribute, but how can you emulate Harry James, he had the timing, the notes and just the best sound....how did he do it.....I don't know how he did it...Blow it again Harry

[@johnjones4145]

Attended one of his clinics at OSU in the early 70's. Some smartass asked him " can you jazz? " His response? " Hell no, why do you think I pay Clark Terry all that money for? " Just sayin '.

[@ChuckParDueMusic]

Exactly!

[@demef758]

I don't play trumpet, but I always enjoyed Doc's rejoinders. The world loves a man with a sense of humility and humor. Doc has 'em both in spades.

[@Kurteously]

God damn. I love you doc!

[@underdogakagraydog]

He looked fine to me. The problem with playing in front of a 60+ piece orchestra is you gotta blow your brains out. But Doc is the best at that anyways.....good job. Plus--that flat A is nothing, that is trumpet playing in the stratosphere, if you can even get there after an hour and a half, most maestros will say thanks and buy you a beer...Doc's the man...

[@rooseveltnut]

I think he was trying to do this in Harry's style just as if it was Harry playing the trumpet himself. Which I thought he did a wonderful job of. He wasn't doing his own style here. Just my opinion.

[@frrandallackley1602]

I AGREE, SAW HARRY JAMES ON TOUR IN 1951.

[@grammaticopedanticus9727]

This goes way beyond ‘imitation the sincerest form of flattery’. It is more than admiration, and it is high honor to both of these masters of their common instrument.

[@adipsous]

Haha, that last note was flat, but still f-ing awesome.

[@grahamlivingstone1068]

Yeah Doc is always money. And that was pretty much the actual Harry James original. But the sappy orchestral arrangement was so ponderous. Ironically, a big band is little by comparison, but nimble and what the music was made for. But I digress, Doc doing Harry is pretty much amazing. I need to be quiet now.

[@ironmandave3000]

Doc had no lip left at the end. I have seen Doc play a one handed double C when it was 47 degrees outside

[@trumpetmaris]

I've never heard Doc miss a note and be out of tune, but listen to the ending, when he goes up to (I think) a double high A. it's very flat and he's trying to lip it up, eventually tuning to the band... before they cut off. even the best make small mistakes...

[@ChuckParDueMusic]

trumpetmaris It was 106 degrees when Doc went that A. Buddy Morrow was very sick. The next morning they recorded the program indoors, and Doc didn't go for the A.

[@demef758]

Those who can, play the trumpet. Those who can't, are critics....

[@Jazz4Joe]

Harry James was better. Very nice of Doc to blow a tribute to James - Doc is great.

[@fernmann7]

Probably, but Doc takes a back seat to few else

[@247hdjazz]

DUMB STATEMENT.....ITS YOUR OPINION! THAT'S IT!

[@petechapman301]

Harry James couldn't carry Doc's lunch pail.

[@CarlyWaarly]

Sounds like a trumpet should, well done Getzen and Doc or was it another trumpet?

[@ChuckParDueMusic]

By 1988, Doc had long since parted ways with Getzen. He was playing a Bel Canto trumpet.

[@EricJamesHanson]

Double A, not Ab. Exhausted and dehydrated.

[@GreendayBluecovers]

EricJamesHanson no, he's saying that he played the note flat ish but then lifted it in tune.

[@tromboneJTS]

His lips were played out. You see him trying to loosen them up between verses, and at the end between notes. Last note was probably unnecessary high and definitely off key.

[@fernmann7]

It was flat and he lipped it up. An all time all timer

[@trumpetdudeman07]

@deonej17 man, that's a tough number! It would have given even the best trumpet player a run for their money. Doc knocked it out of the park though!

[@jazzimpact]

amn that last note must have reaally hurt

[@1SILVER112]

Can someone tell me what kind of trumpet Doc's playing here? Or if he's sliding between the two? I'll (hopefully) be learning the trumpet soon, and I'm deciding between a C or a BD trumpet.

[@artvandelay8090]

No, this was Doc doing his own style with a tiny bit of Harry in it. If Doc wanted to make it sound more syrupy and widen his vibrato and sound more like Harry, he could have, but he chose not to.

[@johnmohanmusic]

What brand mouthpiece is that? I don't recognize the mouthpiece blank.

[@ChuckParDueMusic]

Not sure, but Doc had started playing a Stork around that time.

[@philpryor7524]

Having just read some comments from cast iron ignoramuses without much reserve or class, this lovely work is not an occasion for some peanut expressing a black and white review of no merit. Doc Severinson played the trumpet as well as anyone, but the genius factor is undeniable and great players are still in the shadow of such as Louis, Dizzy, miles, on grounds of total abilities. But why argue the colour of shit? Great playing, and I'd name fifty plus such players a least, is exactly that and wonderful to hear.

[@Snowtruckdriver]

They said it was 105 degrees when he was playing.

[@BrianJonson]

Paul Rush not quite. It hit 103 on Aug 17 of that year, but it wasn't quite that hot on the 3rd. It was 90s for certain though

[@georgetroncone492]

Rafael Mendez was the master

[@georgerose8727]

Doc would be the first one to agree with that.

[@TheDrummer51]

My father was my band teacher. He took us to see Rafeal Mendez a couple of times. Thanks for the reminder, Mr Mendez was almost frightening in expressing the dedication it took to get to his level.

[@johnjones4145]

Ever hear his "Body & Soul"?

[@edwardearl1]

may have had the flu, or too hot that evening.

[@robgrune3284]

Doc was competent, but not great. One dimensional, harsh tone, limited technique. He got lucky to be with Carson and gain publicity. In his time, many others were as competent or better, though not as well publicised. James had much more and his sound /style is unmistakable. Hirt had much more. Watch Hirt: all that virtuosity yet with no outward appearance of effort; and always with more in reserve.

[@mikegilbert2500]

+Rob Grune You must have missed your meds

[@larrysmith6797]

+Rob Grune You sir, are an ass.

[@robgrune3284]

how kind of you to reply. you play, perhaps?

[@larrysmith6797]

+Rob Grune You don't deserve a reply longer than this.

[@robgrune3284]

bless you for your mercy.

[@ChuckParDueMusic]

I was there, everyone who attended this concert was near heat exhaustion due to the 105 degrees at an outdoor concert. Doc shed his tux jacket after the first number and Buddy Morrow was badly dehydrated!

[@SueProst]

Don't know if you're still out there but God bless them. I love Doc. Not same thing but I was treated to a Springsteen concert by a friend at 100 degrees in RFK stadium in Philly. He played 3 hours.

[@WasatchWendigo]

Wow, interesting first hand account tidbit there!...but the show went on! Sounds like Doc always delivered come rain or come shine, and the whole band too!