October 05, 2004 -

Ottawa, Canada -- The NAC’s CJOH Pops Series opens with the legendary Doc Severinsen, bandleader and trumpet player extraordinaire, leading the National Arts Centre Orchestra with legendary percussionist Luis Conte and an ensemble of Cuban superstars in a concert Doc calls Cubana. Doc Severinsen’s Cubana will shake up and sizzle the NAC’s Southam Hall from Thursday, October 14 to Saturday, October 16 at 20:00.

Doc promises “absolute magic!” in this show that he put together after being bewitched by the musical talent he discovered in Cuba. His Cuban musicians will join the NAC Orchestra in such hot latin numbers as “Guantanamera”, “Perfidia”, “Espana”, Ginastera’s “Malambo” from Estancia, “Carioca”, “Manteca”, “Siboney, and more. Audiences will soon be cubopping in their seats.

Maestro Severinsen travels the country to perform and conduct with ensembles ranging from symphonic orchestras to jazz bands. One season alone can take Doc from Ottawa to Oklahoma City to San Miguel de Allende (Mexico) to San Diego as guest soloist. When not performing with his celebrated group or conducting a major orchestra, he is Principal Pops Conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra. Doc continues to practice three to four hours daily…  “just to warm up.”

Doc comes by his Big Band credentials honestly. Urged by his father to take up the violin, young Severinsen insisted on the trombone, but had to settle for the only horn available in Arlington's small music store – a trumpet. A week later, with the help of his father and a manual of instructions, the seven-year-old was so good that he was invited to join the high school band. At the age of twelve, Little Doc won the Music Educator's National Contest and, while still in high school, was hired to go on the road with the famous Ted Fio Rito Orchestra. After completing his education and serving in the Army, he toured with the Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and Charlie Barnet bands.

He finally settled down in New York as an NBC staff musician in 1949, joining The Tonight Show Orchestra in 1962 and becoming Music Director in 1967 where he and Johnny Carson became known to millions of television viewers over the decades. The flamboyant Grammy Award-winner continues to play sizzling jazz and big band tunes with former members of “Tonight Show Band.” Doc Severinsen has recorded more than 30 albums: from big band to jazz-fusion to classical.

Tickets for Doc Severinsen’s Cubana from October 14 to 16 are on sale now at $34.50, $49.50, $51.50, $61.00, and $63.00, with box seats at $90.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111.  Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s web-site at www.nac-cna.ca.  Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Groups of 20 and more save up to 20% on NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances.  To book call 947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

Subscriptions for the season are also still available by calling the Subscription Office at 613-947-7000, ext. 620.

For more information please contact:
Jane Morris, Communications Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
(613) 947-7000, ext. 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca