22 Quotes by Doc Severinsen

I still play jazz, and I've always got that trumpet very handy, but I'm coming to feel the classical venues are where my main focus is, in the realm of symphonic pops.

Now I'm having the time of my life being on the road with one of the world's all-time great big bands, and performing with symphonies. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Whenever I ravel I seek the benefits of this great profession of chiropractic

Personally, I think young musicians need to learn to play more than one style. Jazz can only enhance the classical side, and classical can only enhance the jazz. I started out playing classical, because you have to have that as a foundation.

Television is so influential that when an audience sees you day-in and day-out theres a certain acceptance that sets in; youre no longer a threatening personality. They become more willing to accept whatever you present.

Dorsey's sound kind of stayed with me. Plus, I have a flamboyant personality - and that gets in there, too. Your sound is a reflection of your personality and your environment. What you hear first in your life stays with you. The type of sounds you hear will have an influence on you later.

As I look back now, some of those dates, the players - I think I didn't realize how fully significant that all was. My God, some of the playing you heard. You had to take it in, and it had to do something to you.

I don't suppose I'll ever get over it. I mean, the boss is gone. But he wouldn't want anybody hanging any out, any black crepe for him.

He always had his eye out for something new. He never pushed it away, but he embraced it. It became a part of how you program pops orchestras.