Shelly Cohen (November 8, 1933 – July 25, 2018) was an American musician, musical director, choir director, conductor and two-time Grammy nominee. Alongside host

Johnny Carson John William Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an American television host, comedian, writer and producer. He is best known as the host of '' The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'' (1962–1992). Carson received six P ...

and announcer

Ed McMahon Edward Leo Peter McMahon Jr. (March 6, 1923 – June 23, 2009) was an American announcer, game show host, comedian, actor, singer, and combat aviator. McMahon and Johnny Carson began their association in their first TV series, the ABC game sh ...

, Cohen is believed to be the only person to have worked on the ''Tonight Show'' for Carson's entire run. Cohen was born in Brooklyn, and played both the clarinet and violin as a child. After a tour of duty in the army during the Korean War, Cohen attended Juilliard School of Music while working a job in the NBC mailroom. Bandleader

Skitch Henderson Lyle Russel "Skitch" Henderson (January 27, 1918 – November 1, 2005) was a pianist, conductor, and composer. His nickname "Skitch" came from his ability to "re-sketch" a song in a different key. Bing Crosby suggested that he should use the ...

helped Cohen secure a position in the NBC music library, and upon its premiere, on the '' Tonight Show with Johnny Carson''. Cohen served as assistant musical director throughout Carson's entire run on the ''Tonight Show'', assisting Henderson, Milton DeLugg,

Doc Severinsen Carl Hilding "Doc" Severinsen (born July 7, 1927) is an American retired jazz trumpeter who led the NBC Orchestra on ''The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson''. Early life Severinsen was born in Arlington, Oregon, to Minnie Mae (1897–1998) a ...

and

Tommy Newsom Thomas Penn Newsom (February 25, 1929 – April 28, 2007) was a saxophone player in the NBC Orchestra on ''The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'', for which he later became assistant director. Newsom was frequently the band's substitute dir ...

. Cohen's additional musical endeavors include Christmas specials for NBC, the Emmy Awards, a year working for Dick Cavett, founding of the New Horizon Singers and the Pacific Pops Orchestra, and choir direction at St. Mel's Church in Woodland Hills.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cohen, Shelly 1933 births 2018 deaths The Tonight Show Band members Musicians from Brooklyn