UPDATE – The Doc Severinsen performance has been canceled by the Doc for health reasons. – UPDATE
Here, in a nutshell version, are the facts that follow a long road to “El Ritmo de la Vida,” this weekend’s Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall presentation.
Fact No. 1: Had his small music shop in Arlington, Ore., sold trombones 60-plus years ago, Doc Severinsen, who really wanted to learn the instrument, would not have had to settle for a trumpet. He may never have gone on to New York City as an NBC staff musician and subsequently taken over as the colorfully dressed music director and leader of “The Tonight Show’s” band.
Fact No. 2: Decades later, if he hadn’t considered hanging up his horn and hadn’t moved to central Mexico where he met a pair of professional and incredibly tight musicians who allowed him to play with them locally, he would not have postponed his retirement to take a new act on the road.
Fact No. 3: Such was fate at work and choices made that, eons after the trip to the music store, evolved into the smash hit tour, “El Ritmo de la Vida,” the rhythm of life.
Severinsen’s unmistakable trumpet sound is the perfect complement to the “ritmo.” Along with Doc, the high-energy group consists of Gil Gutierrez on guitar, Pedro Cartas on violin, and Gilbert Gonzalez and Miguel Favero playing bass and percussion respectively.
The music is not your parents’ “Tonight Show” fare, but rather an innovative fusion of Latin, Spanish, jazz and more.
“It’s Latin, that’s for sure,” Severinsen said. “Some of the music is Cuban but more is Mexican, [and] a lot of it comes out as a Spanish, gypsy and jazz sort of thing.”
A few pieces will be recognizable, such as an opening number that’s a jazzy twist on “Sweet Georgia Brown,” while others are gleaned and improvised on from the classical music repertoire.
Severinsen, with his characteristic modesty, said he’s “not sure what’s going to come out” with this group that has spent so much time getting the music “tight and together.”
“Doc and his band have such a unique sound that they bring in audiences of all ages and backgrounds,” said Kendra Whitlock Ingram, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra spokeswoman. “Last week, he performed at the BSO’s second home at Strathmore — audiences just raved about the show! I can’t wait to see the reaction he’ll get in Baltimore.”
If you go
Doc Severinsen’s ‘El Ritmo de la Vida’
» Venue: Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore
» Time: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday
» Tickets: $25 to $80
» Info: 410-783-8000; bsomusic.org
