Lee Thornburg
Encyclopedia
Lee Thornburg is a trumpet
er who has played with many artists, and also has been a member of Supertramp
and Tower of Power
. Thornburg also played with Wayne Cochran
and the C.C. Riders in the 1970s.
, after four years on the road with the legendary Wayne Cochran and C.C. Riders, Lee Thornburg found himself traveling with Nicolette Larson's band, then with Lowell George (formerly of Little Feat). He backed up Lowell George
during the George's brief tour in June 1979 in support of his album Thanks I'll Eat It Here. The tour was cut short after two weeks by George's death.
Additionally, Thornburg toured with Tom Petty, Aaron Neville, Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt, Huey Lewis, Dwight Yoakam and Clint Black.
In 1992, he joined the band Chicago for a show released on vhs cassette called And the band played on, replacing Lee Loughlane, whose wife was having a baby.
Thornburg is an original and founding member of the blue-eyed soul band of Jack Mack and the Heart Attack He also arranges for and perform with Etta James and the Roots Band.
He joined the Tonight Show Band in 2001. On April 6, 2006, host Jay Leno
improperly labeled Matt Finders (Trombone Player) as the Trumpet Player; when questioned Catherine Keener
asked Leno who played trumpet in the band. Kevin Eubanks chose not to renew Lee Thornburg's contract.
In 2008, he played on Willy DeVille
's Pistola
album.
In 2009, Thornburg performed at The Royal Albert Hall in London on Joe Bonamassa's latest DVD release.
He has also made guest appearances in the small town of Uvalde, Texas
, playing with the Uvalde High School jazz band.
In March 2011, he rejoined Tower of Power
after Mic Gillette
had left the band.
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
er who has played with many artists, and also has been a member of Supertramp
Supertramp
Supertramp are a British rock band formed in 1969 under the name Daddy before renaming to Supertramp in early 1970. Though their music was initially categorised as progressive rock, they have since incorporated a combination of traditional rock and art rock into their music...
and Tower of Power
Tower of Power
Tower of Power is an American R&B-based horn section and band, originating in Oakland, California, that has been performing for over 43 years. They are best known for their funky soul sound highlighted by a powerful horn section...
. Thornburg also played with Wayne Cochran
Wayne Cochran
Wayne Cochran is an American soul singer, known for his outlandish outfits and white pompadour. He is sometimes referred to as The White Knight of Soul....
and the C.C. Riders in the 1970s.
Biography
Despite his desire to stay in Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, after four years on the road with the legendary Wayne Cochran and C.C. Riders, Lee Thornburg found himself traveling with Nicolette Larson's band, then with Lowell George (formerly of Little Feat). He backed up Lowell George
Lowell George
Lowell Thomas George was an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, who was the main guitarist and songwriter for the rock band Little Feat.- Early years :...
during the George's brief tour in June 1979 in support of his album Thanks I'll Eat It Here. The tour was cut short after two weeks by George's death.
Additionally, Thornburg toured with Tom Petty, Aaron Neville, Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt, Huey Lewis, Dwight Yoakam and Clint Black.
In 1992, he joined the band Chicago for a show released on vhs cassette called And the band played on, replacing Lee Loughlane, whose wife was having a baby.
Thornburg is an original and founding member of the blue-eyed soul band of Jack Mack and the Heart Attack He also arranges for and perform with Etta James and the Roots Band.
He joined the Tonight Show Band in 2001. On April 6, 2006, host Jay Leno
Jay Leno
James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno is an American stand-up comedian and television host.From 1992 to 2009, Leno was the host of NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Beginning in September 2009, Leno started a primetime talk show, titled The Jay Leno Show, which aired weeknights at 10:00 p.m. ,...
improperly labeled Matt Finders (Trombone Player) as the Trumpet Player; when questioned Catherine Keener
Catherine Keener
Catherine Ann Keener is an American actress. She has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Being John Malkovich and Capote...
asked Leno who played trumpet in the band. Kevin Eubanks chose not to renew Lee Thornburg's contract.
In 2008, he played on Willy DeVille
Willy DeVille
Willy DeVille was an American singer and songwriter. During his thirty-five year career, first with his band Mink DeVille and later on his own, Deville created original songs rooted in traditional American musical styles. He worked with collaborators from across the spectrum of contemporary...
's Pistola
Pistola
Pistola is the last studio album made by Willy DeVille. It was released on Mardis Gras day in 2008 as a nod to DeVille's musical roots in New Orleans. The album was recorded in Los Angeles with Brian Ray, Lon Price, the Valentine Brothers, and other musicians who had played with DeVille for years...
album.
In 2009, Thornburg performed at The Royal Albert Hall in London on Joe Bonamassa's latest DVD release.
He has also made guest appearances in the small town of Uvalde, Texas
Uvalde, Texas
Uvalde is a city in and the county seat of Uvalde County, Texas, United States. The population was 14,929 at the 2000 census.Uvalde was founded by Reading Wood Black in 1853 as the town of Encina. In 1856, when the county was organized, the town was renamed Uvalde for Spanish governor Juan de...
, playing with the Uvalde High School jazz band.
In March 2011, he rejoined Tower of Power
Tower of Power
Tower of Power is an American R&B-based horn section and band, originating in Oakland, California, that has been performing for over 43 years. They are best known for their funky soul sound highlighted by a powerful horn section...
after Mic Gillette
Mic Gillette
Mic Gillette is an American brass player born in 1951 and raised in northern California's East Bay area. He is famous for being a member of Tower of Power, Cold Blood, and The Sons of Champlin....
had left the band.