Musician. One of his generation's premiere jazz masters, he shall be remembered as a longtime trumpeter of NBC's "Tonight Show". Born Eugene Edward Young to a musical family he began playing the trumpet at six and from an early age toured with his parents and siblings. Young joined Jimmie Lunceford's band in 1939 and over the years was to perform and record with Cab Calloway, Bennie Goodman, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton and others. In 1966 he partnered with Thad Jones and Mel Lewis to found what would become the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, at the time of Young's death one of the few extant Big Bands, then landed his gig with Doc Severinsen in 1967. Remaining with the group until 1992 he was often featured on camera and was also part of a smaller ensemble that Severinsen used for live shows, primarily in Las Vegas. During his long career he was also heard on several movie soundtracks including those of "Blues in the Night" (1941) and Mel Brooks' 1974 "Blazing Saddles". Able to maintain his "lip" well into advanced age he appeared with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra as late as 2010. Named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master in 2008 he died of pulmonary disease leaving a significant recorded legacy.
Musician. One of his generation's premiere jazz masters, he shall be remembered as a longtime trumpeter of NBC's "Tonight Show". Born Eugene Edward Young to a musical family he began playing the trumpet at six and from an early age toured with his parents and siblings. Young joined Jimmie Lunceford's band in 1939 and over the years was to perform and record with Cab Calloway, Bennie Goodman, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton and others. In 1966 he partnered with Thad Jones and Mel Lewis to found what would become the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, at the time of Young's death one of the few extant Big Bands, then landed his gig with Doc Severinsen in 1967. Remaining with the group until 1992 he was often featured on camera and was also part of a smaller ensemble that Severinsen used for live shows, primarily in Las Vegas. During his long career he was also heard on several movie soundtracks including those of "Blues in the Night" (1941) and Mel Brooks' 1974 "Blazing Saddles". Able to maintain his "lip" well into advanced age he appeared with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra as late as 2010. Named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master in 2008 he died of pulmonary disease leaving a significant recorded legacy.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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