DOC SEVERINSEN AND FRIENDS BRING THE RHYTHM OF LIFE

Mar 21, 2008

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow 464-7071

Famed trumpet player and conductor of the Tonight Show Orchestra Doc Severinsen played in the Fox Theater when he was a young All-Northwest Band member from Arlington, Oregon. He always wanted to come back and play there again. The Spokane Symphony is making that wish come true. Not only will Doc have the opportunity for a fabulous musical experience, so will concert goers from across the Northwest when Doc plays in Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox next weekend.

He will give an evening performance on Saturday, March 29 at 8 p.m. and a matinee performance on Sunday, March 30 at 3 p.m.

Since moving to Mexico soon after he played with the Spokane Symphony in 2006, Doc has kept a busy performance schedule and made new discoveries in two very talented musicians from Mexico Gil Gutierrez and Pedro Cartas. Together they have crafted an innovative and exciting program.

El Ritmo de la Vida" is, of course, "the rhythm of life," an apt description of Gutierrez and Cartas and their music. It is classical Spanish with a jazz flair, gorgeous ballads, both Latino and American, plus some great movie music, and among their best received -- gypsy jazz, a la Django Reinhardt. Both these musicians are virtuosos and the combination is electric. Add to this the soaring trumpet of Doc and the experience is indescribably brilliant.

'Doc' is now a resident of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and first heard Gutierrez and Cartas playing at an Italian bistro to throngs of admirers, both American and Latino. He later recorded a few tunes with them and then immediately asked to join them.

"I came to Mexico with retirement on my mind, but when I heard them play I knew that I would be playing with them for some time to come. Latino music, along with the blues, has always been among my favorites, and Gil and Pedro do it along with a European style that I love and so do our audiences. They are mature, gifted young men who play great, look great, and PLUS, we share a great lifestyle together. Our music is totally organic to us," Doc said.

A Grammy award winner, Doc has made more than 30 albums--from big band to jazz-fusion to classical. Two critically acclaimed Telarc CDs with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra showcase his multifaceted talents from Bach to ballads. The Very Best of Doc Severinsen reprises fifteen of Doc's signature pieces. His other recordings include Unforgettably Doc with the Cincinnati Pops on Telarc, and the Grammy nominated Once More With Feeling on Amherst. He received a Grammy Award for "Best Jazz instrumental Performance - Big Band" for his recording of Doc Severinsen and The Tonight Show Band-Volume I. Doc Severinsen and His Big Band/Swingin' the Blues is his latest release with Ed Shaughnessy and Ernie Watts.

Tickets are $20, $32, $44 and $49. Tickets are available at the Martine Woldson Theater at The Fox Box Office, 1001 W. Sprague, 509-624-1200, 509-325-SEAT, www.spokanesymphony.org and all TicketsWest outlets.