Tommy Newsom – a saxophonist and arranger who gained visibility as a band member on Johnny Carson’s ‘Tonight Show’, died. He was 78.
Mr. Newsom died of bladder and liver cancer Saturday at his home in Portsmouth, the city of his birth, said his nephew, Jim Newsom.
Newsom, who played saxophone, joined – The Tonight Show in 1962. He spent the next three decades on the show, most of the time working under band-leader and trumpeter Doc Severinsen. Newsom became assistant music director in the late 1960s, handling the baton in Severinsen’s absence. He retired along with Carson in 1992.
Newsom’s formal musical training began with piano lessons at the age of 8 and by 13, Newsom was playing professional engagements in the Norfolk, Va., area.
Newsom has arranged and composed music for Skitch Henderson, Woody Herman, Beverly Sills, Kenny Rogers, Charlie Byrd, John Denver and other performers.
He won two Emmy Awards for musical direction – first in 1982 as part of the directing team for NBC’s Night of 100 Stars, and again in 1986 as part of the team that worked on the network’s telecast of the Tony Awards.
He also released several albums as a band-leader, including – Live From Beautiful Downtown Burbank in 1978 and I Remember You, Johnny in 1996.
Carson gave Newsom the nickname ‘Mr. Excitement’ as a sarcastic tribute to the musician’s drab wardrobe and quiet demeanor.
Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Pat Hernansky Newsom of Portsmouth, and a daughter, Candace Liebmann of Teaneck.
