Severinsen plays final symphony date

LAS CRUCES, N.M., Aug. 26 (UPI) -- The man once known as “the worlds greatest trumpet player,” Doc Severinsen, has played his final show with a symphony orchestra in Las Cruces, N.M.

The 80-year-old played Saturday night before a crowd of more than 5,000, performing "Carmen Fantasy" with the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra. The piece was written especially for Severinsen by composer Frank Proto, The Las Cruces Sun-News reported Sunday.

Severinsen was reportedly full of energy, even prancing up and down the aisles during "El Nino Perdido," a traditional mariachi routine.

Severinsen -- who led the orchestra on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" -- is not finished performing. He currently leads El Ritmo de la Vida, a group he recently formed with musicians in Mexico, the newspaper said.