Ever since Johnny Carson abdicated his late-night television talk-show throne -- taking with him his fashion-challenged, chop-busting trumpeter Doc Severinsen -- the battle of the late-night bands has never been the same. While David Letterman's perennial sidekick Paul Shaffer might share Severinsen's questionable sense of style, only Conan O'Brien's Late Night trumpeter Mark Pender comes close to filling his musical shoes. The proof comes every night at 11:35 with a theme-ending, single-note squeal that threatens to sustain well into O'Brien's nightly monologue. Pender is a Kansas City native who made a name for himself with the jump-and-jive act the Asbury Jukes. That gig led to a stint with Bruce Springsteen's touring band and eventually a seat in O'Brien's ensemble, led by fellow Springsteen alumnus, drummer Max Weinberg. Now prepping to release his first jam-funk-filled solo album -- his upcoming show at the Blue Room will officially mark the disc's premiere -- Pender is poised to take his biggest step yet from the bandstand and into the full glare of the spotlight. For this show, he'll have some local players, including Bobby Carson and Ricky Anderson, along for the ride.
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