Thomas Penn Newsom (February 25, 1929 â€" April 28, 2007) was a
saxophone player in the NBC Orchestra on The Tonight Show Starring
Johnny Carson, for which he later became assistant director. Newsom
was frequently the band's substitute director, whenever Doc Severinsen
was away from the show or filling in for announcer Ed McMahon.
Nicknamed "Mr. Excitement" by Johnny Carson as an ironic take on his
low-keyed, reserved persona, he was often a foil for Carson's humor.
His conservative brown or blue suits were a marked contrast to
Severinsen's flashy stage clothing.Newsom was born in Portsmouth,
Virginia. He earned degrees from the Norfolk Division of the College
of William & Mary (now Old Dominion University), the Peabody
Conservatory of Music, and Columbia University. He served in the
United States Air Force where he played in the band, and later toured
with the Benny Goodman Orchestra and performed with Vincent Lopez in
New York. Newsom joined the Tonight Show Band in 1962, and left it
when Carson retired in 1992. In addition to Carson's orchestra, Newsom
performed with the orchestra for The Merv Griffin Show.Newsom was born
in Portsmouth, Virginia. He earned degrees from the Norfolk Division
of the College of William & Mary (now Old Dominion University), the
Peabody Conservatory of Music, and Columbia University. He served in
the United States Air Force where he played in the band, and later
toured with the Benny Goodman Orchestra and performed with Vincent
Lopez in New York. Newsom joined the Tonight Show Band in 1962, and
left it when Carson retired in 1992. In addition to Carson's
orchestra, Newsom performed with the orchestra for The Merv Griffin
Show.Newsom was as well known within the music industry as an arranger
as much as he was as a performer. He arranged for groups as varied as
the Tonight Show ensemble and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, and
musicians Skitch Henderson, Woody Herman, Kenny Rogers, Charlie Byrd,
John Denver, and opera star Beverly Sills.Newsom won two Emmy Awards
as a music director, in 1982 with Night of 100 Stars and in 1986 for
the 40th Annual Tony Awards. He also recorded several albums as a
bandleader. Tommy Newsom Top Movies & Young Movies