Ross Tompkins
Ross Tompkins (May 13, 1938 – June 30, 2006) was an American jazz pianist who was a member of "The Tonight Show" Band. Biography. Tompkins attended the New England Conservatory of Music, then moved to New York City, where he worked with Kai Winding (1960–67), Eric Dolphy (1964), Wes Montgomery (1966), Bob Brookmeyer/Clark Terry (1966), Benny Goodman (1968), Bobby Hackett (1965–70), and Al Cohn and Zoot Sims (1968–72). He moved to Los Angeles in 1971, playing with Louie Bellson, Joe Venuti, and Red Norvo in the 1970s and Jack Sheldon in the 1980s. He was best known for  his longtime association with The Tonight Show Band, led by Doc Severinsen, on the television program "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson". He was a member of the band from 1971 until Carson's retirement in 1992. He recorded for Concord Jazz as a leader in the second half of the 1970s. Tompkins died of lung cancer at the age of 68. Discography. As sideman. With Kai Winding With Doc Severinsen With Tommy Newsom With Louie Bellson With Herb Ellis With Snooky Young With Bill Watrous With Jack Sheldon With others References. Footnotes Further Reading