Newsom, Tommy

Thomas P. "Tommy" Newsom (b. Feb. 25, 1929, in Portsmouth, Virginia; d. Apr. 28, 2007, in Portsmouth, Virginia) was a saxophonist, arranger, bandleader and composer.

Biographical Note

Thomas P. “Tommy” Newsom was born in Portsmouth, Va., on February 25, 1929. He began playing the saxophone as a young boy and by the time he was thirteen was playing with older musicians at the Elk's Club and similiar venues. Newsom attended the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary and earned his bachelor's degree in music education from the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. During his enlistment from 1953 to 1956, Newsom was a member of Airmen of Note, an Air Force dance band with whom he toured throughout Europe and North Africa. Afterwards he earned a master's degree from Columbia University Teachers College. He also worked as a studio musician in New York throughout the 1950s.

His break came when Benny Goodman hired him to tour with his band. Newsom toured Latin America in 1961 and the former Soviet Union in 1962 and recorded with Goodman's big band in 1962, 1964, and 1967. He also recorded with Count Basie, the Ruby Braff and Marshall Brown swing sextet, and others. After playing in the band on The Merv Griffin Show, Newsom joined the Tonight Show band, in April 1962. He became assistant music director in 1968 and stayed with the show for thirty years. Newsom often substituted for regular Tonight Show bandleader Doc Severinsen who was known for his flashy clothes and flamboyant personality. Tonight Show host Johnny Carson took delight in poking fun at Newsom's conservative suits and somber demeanor calling him "Mr. Excitement." Newsom and Carson retired on the same day, May 22, 1992.

Newsom published hundreds of arrangements and compositions which have been performed by such artists as Skitch Henderson, Woody Herman, Beverly Sills, Kenny Rogers, Doc Severinsen, Billy Butterfield, Benny Goodman, Boots Randolph, and Charlie Byrd. He won numerous awards, including Emmy Awards for musical direction and a Clio award for an American Airlines radio commercial. He and his wife Patricia were married for fifty years. They have a daughter Candy. Newsom died April 28, 2007, in Portsmouth, Va.