![]() Arguably one of the most beloved and dedicated musicians ever to play a note, the Severinsen legacy resonates through his kindness, warmth, inspiration, and dedication to musicians young and not-so. In the film, jazz saxophone great Ernie Watts who played with Severinsen on both the Tonight Show and Severinsen's Road Band calls Doc a "force of nature." That's certainly true, but, the film portrays Severinsen as a "force of nurture," as well. What made and still makes Doc tick isn't really the questionit's the answer here. ![]() Finally in a relationship with "someone who understands me"celebrated trumpeter and educator, Cathy Leachwe see the pair enjoying life now in a beautiful Tennessee farmhouse. His former spouse Emily provides additional insights into the Severinsen psyche. ![]() In clips of his intimate and revealing discussion with Dinah Shoreanother NBC iconhe opens up. It zips us through Doc's humble beginnings, his early fascination and development with the trumpet (as opposed to his father, "Big Doc's" insistence on violin), and his diving head-first into the world of the big bands, round-the-clock New York studio recordings, and, in some cases, too many cocktails. The film, brilliantly produced and edited, is shot with heavy emphasis on extreme close-ups, and with the pacing of a swinging jazz chart. Yet, we see through his family's cameos and loving comments from greats such as Arturo Sandoval, Chris Botti, and Jimmy Fallon's "Tonight Show" drummer, Questlove, that the love in Doc's self-described "Italian heart" was and will always be there. No hagiography, the film details the trumpeter's multiple failed marriages, some of which were the result of the Siren calls of the road, the strain of a bi-coastal marriage, and the far from 9-to-5 jazz musician lifestyle. Scenes of Severinsen discussing Carson's passing draw tearshis and probably the film's viewers. Carson, an amateur musician himself, knew too well the demands that celebrity marriages required. Their symbiotic relationship and comedic ménage a trois with Carson foil Ed McMahon displayed mutual admiration, respect, and understanding. Today's nighttime viewing offers superb smaller ensembles whose makeup and repertoire are dictated by budgets, advertisers, and audiences' changed musical tastes.ĭoc's relationship with Carsonnot an easy man with whom to become intimateis a core of the film. It was, as you will see, an integral element to the success of the show. ![]() With respect to Lawrence Welk, Severinsen's All-Star band was the last of the talk show large ensembles. But, it was that soaring trumpeting and those dynamic performances that gave viewers probably more excitement and passion than was happening in their bedrooms. The resplendent Severinsen, brighter and more fun than NBC's iconic peacock, dazzled audiences with flamboyant outfits that out-sizzled Elvis, Liberace, and Elton John. It wailed away with both bumper and intermittent audience-directed music. While Duke Ellington may have said "Music is My Mistress," in the case of "Never Too Late" we discoverand superbly at thatthat Severinsen's career is a "musical Mona Lisa" that is remarkably still being painted.Įvery weeknight for 30 years the Tonight Show Band -comprised of the best of the best -was led by a hands-down G.O.A.T. Never Too Late (Just Bright Productions, 2020) is a meticulously produced and emotion-grabbing documentary portrait of the musical career and life of trumpeter Doc Severinsen.
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