Death Claims Ex-Band Leader Tommy Newsom

Thomas Penn Newsom was born on February 25, 1929 in Portsmouth, Virginia. He died today of bladder and liver cancer in the same city where he was born at the age of 78. He leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Patricia and a daughter Candy. Newsom was well known in the musical community as well as the world. He leaves behind many friends and fans.

Tommy Newsom grew up in a musical household where music came as naturally as breathing. He often heard opera and jazz. He used to look in various pawn shops at musical instruments especially saxophones wondering how he could get one. Newsom received his first horn at the age of 8 as a Christmas present. He astounded everyone by figuring out how to play. He honed his skills playing as often as he could. Tommy loved listening to Charlie Barnett and Jimmy Dorsey. He was often exposed to the music of Duke Ellington. All these musicians helped Newsom come into the style of music that was all his own.

He Had very little formal training though he did attend and graduated from Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. He started to hang out at the Musician's Union Office where he began taking on gigs with Les Elgart and Skitch Henderson. He joined the US Air Force with whom he toured for the rest of his four year enlistment. He then toured Russia and South America after joining up with Benny Goodman. During many of his tumultuous years he lived in a rooming house where he shared a bathroom down the hall with many other residents.

Newsom also joined "The Merv Griffen Show" orchestra. In 1962 Newsom joined The Tonight Show orchestra who played for Johnny Carson, where he eventually became assistant music director. He was often teased by Carson who nick-named the band leader as Mr. Excitement. Newsom appreciated Carson's recognition taking it all in stride. Carson continued to poke fun good naturedly at Newsom, because of Newsom's low key personality and the drab blue and brown suits that he always wore. This was in comparison to the outlandish, colorful dress of fellow band leader Doc Severinson. Mr. Excitement retired along with Carson in 1992.

Newson was known and respected for his talents which included arranging and composing music for Skitch Henderson, Woody Herman, Kenny Rogers, John Denver and many, many more. He won an Emmy Award for "Night of 100 Stars" in 1982 and for "The 40th Annual Tony Awards Show" in 1986. During Newsom's time at "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson, the show was also nominated and received 5 Emmy awards.

Tommy Newsom released several albums as a band leader. They included "Live From Beautiful Downtown Burbank" in 1978 and "I Remember You, Johnny" produced in 1996. Newsom was 1 out of 8 members of his initial class in school to be inducted into the "Norfolk's Legends of Music Walk of Fame" back in the fall of 2002. During the past few years Newsom continued to occasionally perform and was a star at "The Annual Virginia Beach Music Festival."

His nephew Jim Newsom, who was close to his uncle, claimed , "Newsom's life was a great ride." Funeral arrangements for Mr. Newsom have not been announced at this time.