Lee Thornburg

Lee Thornburg is a trumpetist that has been playing with many known artists and also has been a member of the bands Supertramp and Tower of Power. Lee also played with Wayne Cochran and the C.C. Riders in the 1970s. This band also had electric bass innovator Jaco Pastorius in it.

Despite his desire to stay in Los Angeles, 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 of Little Feet. He backed up Lowell George during the latter's brief tour in June 1979 in support of George's album "Thanks I'll Eat It Here". The tour was cut short after two weeks by George's death.

Additionally, Thornburg toured with numerous music legends including: Tom Petty, Aaron Neville, Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt, Huey Lewis, Dwight Yoakam and Clint Black.

An original and founding member of the blue-eyed soul band of Jack Mack and The Heart Attack, Thornburg joined The Tonight Show band in July 2001 . He also continues to arrange for and perform with Etta James and the Roots Band.

Joining the Tonight Show Band in 2001, . On April 6, 2006, host Jay Leno improperly labeled Matt Finders (Trombone Player) as the Trumpet Player, when guest Catherine Keener asked Leno who played trumpet in the band. With no relation to that conversation, Kevin Eubanks chose not to renew Lee Thornburg's contract. As of April 10th, Kye Palmer now holds the Trumpet seat.

In 2008, he played on Willy DeVille's "Pistola" album.

He has also made guest appearances in the small town Uvalde,TexasWhere he plays with about 20 other High School Students in the Uvalde High School jazz band.

"Lee is an extrodainary trumpet player with a whole lot of talent"--President George W. Bush