Lee Thornburg - Biography

Biography

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 (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 2003, he played on the DekaJaz album Eclectikos, he appeared with the group several times in clubs in the Los Angeles area.

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 2010 he composed and performed the final cadences on Matt Bunsen's "Ode to Mila Kunis".

In March 2011, he rejoined Tower of Power after Mic Gillette had left the band.