RIP: Tommy Newsom

[ifilus]

Tommy Newsom, 78, a jazz saxophonist and arranger who gained national visibility as a key member of Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" band for three decades, and whom Carson nicknamed "Mr. Excitement" for his stone-faced demeanor and somber outfits, died April 28 at his home in Portsmouth, Va. He had bladder and liver cancer.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/30/AR2007043000547.html?hpid=moreheadlines

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

It'll be 15 years ago this month that Carson went off the air. Christ, it doesn't seem that long.

 

[Football_Bat]

Tommy was the fulcrum across which Carson launched many jokes, especially when Ed had the night off, Doc was the sidekick and Tommy led the orchestra — errrr, band.

RIP indeed.

All you 81ers don't know what you missed after you went to bed.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

He was only 78?

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

63 when they went off the air... makes sense.

 

[markvid]

He was only 78?

I thought the same, he looked older when they went off the air.

 

[finishthehat]

Should I feel guilty because every time I read or see a Carson-related item these days I get a distinct feeling of "Gee, that stuff sure seemed a lot funnier back then than it does now?"

 

[spnited]

No need to feel guilty, hat. But you're wrong.
Have some of the old Carson shows on tape and DVD and they're still hilarious becuase Carson had amazing comedic timing.

RIP Mr. Excitement.

 

[da man]

Tommy was a terrific target for Johnny's jabs, not to mention an underrated sax player. That band, by the way, was sensational -- Doc, drummer Ed Shaughnessy, Snooky Young, etc.

RIP to The Baron of Brown.

 

[Huggy]

Tommy was a terrific target for Johnny's jabs, not to mention an underrated sax player. That band, by the way, was sensational -- Doc, drummer Ed Shaughnessy, Snooky Young, etc.

RIP to The Baron of Brown.

Some great players there, no doubt about that. Wish I'd had a chance to see them when they toured.

 

[HC]

Tommy was a terrific target for Johnny's jabs, not to mention an underrated sax player. That band, by the way, was sensational -- Doc, drummer Ed Shaughnessy, Snooky Young, etc.

RIP to The Baron of Brown.

Some great players there, no doubt about that. Wish I'd had a chance to see them when they toured.

My original ambition as a high school tenor sax/clarinet/flute player in the jazz band was to be the first woman member of the Tonight Show orchestra. I loved the way that man played.

RIP, Tommy.

 

[HejiraHenry]

Carson, if he were here, would say Tommy died 25 years ago and somebody only now noticed.

Hi-Yo!

He was a hell of a player. RIP

(I always looked forward to the Christmas Eve Tonight show, which was nothing but the band playing holiday songs and a ****load of Budweiser Clydedale commercials. Then. live from the Vatican, the Pope.)

 

[boots]

Spent many of nights with the Tonight Show crew. Tommy would conduct that band. RIP Tommy.

 

[BTExpress]

Johnny: "Tommy, that's quite a smart suit you're wearing."

Tommy (looking stoic, as usual): "Better than a dumb suit."

 

[ifilus]

Johnny: "Tommy, that's a nice suit you're wearing. Where did you get it?"

Tommy (looking stoic, as usual): "It was in my closet."