Newsom, Tommy

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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.

From the description of Tommy Newsom arrangements, 1947-1999. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 69223764

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.

From the guide to the Tommy Newsom Arrangements, 1947-1999, (Music Division Library of Congress)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Newsom, Tommy. Tommy Newsom arrangements, 1947-1999. Library of Congress
referencedIn The Benny Goodman Papers, 1910-1992, inclusive Irving S. Gilmore Music Library
creatorOf NCSA Jazz Ensemble. NCSA Jazz Ensemble [sound recording]. University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Semans Library
creatorOf Tommy Newsom Arrangements, 1947-1999 Library of Congress. Music Division
creatorOf Goodman, Benny, 1909-1986. The Benny Goodman papers, 1933-1982 (inclusive). Yale University, Music Library
referencedIn Ambassador Auditorium Collection, 1974-1995 Archive of Recorded Sound, Stanford University Libraries
creatorOf Goodman, Benny, 1909-1986. The Benny Goodman papers, 1933-1982 (inclusive). Yale University, Music Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Goodman, Benny, 1909- person
associatedWith Goodman, Benny, 1909-1986. person
associatedWith NCSA Jazz Ensemble. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
Subject
Arrangers (Musicians)
Arrangers (Musicians)
Big band music
Dance orchestra music
Music
Music
Popular music
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1929-02-25

Death 2007-04-28

Americans

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