The Tonight Show Band is the band which plays on the American television variety show, the Tonight Show. From 1962 to the 1990s, during the years the show was known as The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, it was probably the most important source of serious jazz on American television. A variety show is a show with a variety of acts, often including music and comedy skits, especially on television. ... The First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush and current host Jay Leno. ... // Events and trends The 1990s are generally classified as having moved slightly away from the more conservative 1980s, but otherwise retaining the same mindset. ... The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was the full name of NBCs The Tonight Show during the years that Johnny Carson hosted. ... Jazz master Louis Armstrong was one of the best loved and best known of all jazz musicians. ...

The band was founded in 1954, and its first long-term director was Skitch Henderson (1954-57). Henderson was replaced by Jose Melis in 1957, when Jack Paar took over as host from Steve Allen. Henderson returned in 1962 when Johnny Carson took over from Paar. Carson increased the band budget, and Henderson created a major jazz big band by hiring some of the best jazz musicians from the touring big bands which were going out of business at the time, and by commissioning charts from top jazz arrangers. The new band included Clark Terry, Bobby Rosengarden, Doc Severinsen, Urbie Green, and Ernie Royal, among others. Lyle Russell Cedric Henderson (born January 27, 1918) is an American pianist, conductor, and composer. ... Jose Melis (1920?- 2005) served as the musical director of The Tonight Show during Jack Paars tenure as host. ... Jack Parr (1918-2004) circa 1950 Jack Harold Paar (May 1, 1918 – January 27, 2004) was an American radio and television talk show host. ... Steve Allen on the cover of Steve Allen on the Bible, Religion, and Morality Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen (December 26, 1921 – October 30, 2000) was a musician, comedian and writer, who was instrumental in innovating the concept of the television talk show. ... Johnny Carson John William Johnny Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an American actor, comedian and writer best known for his iconic status as the host of The Tonight Show from 1962 until 1992. ... A big band, also known as a jazz orchestra, is a large musical ensemble that plays jazz music, especially swing. ... Jazz master Louis Armstrong was one of the best loved and best known of all jazz musicians. ... A big band, also known as a jazz orchestra, is a large musical ensemble that plays jazz music, especially swing. ... Clark Terry performs with the Great Lakes Navy Band Jazz Ensemble Clark Terry (born December 14, 1920) is an American swing and bop trumpeter and flugelhorn player. ... Carl (Doc) Hilding Severinsen (born July 7, 1927 in Arlington, Oregon) is an American pop and jazz trumpeter. ... Urbane Clifford Urbie Green (born August 8, 1926 in Mobile, Alabama, USA) is a noted jazz trombonist who toured with Woody Herman, Gene Krupa, and Frankie Carle. ...

In 1966, Henderson left the show and was replaced by Milton DeLugg, who in 1967 was replaced by Severinsen. Severinsen continued to add important musicians to the band, including Louie Bellson, Allen Vizzutti, and Snooky Young. Milton DeLugg (born in 1918) is an American composer and arranger. ... Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni (born in Rock Falls, Illinois 1924), who performed as Louie Bellson, is an American jazz drummer. ... Eugene (Snooky) Young (born in 1919) is an American jazz trumpeter. ...

In 1992, when Jay Leno replaced Carson, Branford Marsalis took over as musical director, and the number of band members was reduced. Marsalis was succeeded in 1995 by Kevin Eubanks. Jay Leno Jay Leno (born James Douglas Muir April 28, 1950) is an American comedian of Italian and Scottish extraction who is best known as the current host of the long-running NBC television variety and talk show The Tonight Show. ... Branford Marsalis (born August 26, 1960) is an American jazz saxophonist. ... Kevin Tyrone Eubanks (born November 15, 1957) is an American jazz guitarist. ...