Tompkins, a versatile and swinging pianist who plays with Doc Severinsen’s Tonight Show, is best known to the public. He is highly sought after on the Los Angeles jazz scene. After studying at The New England Conservatory, Tompkins moved to New York and recorded with Kai Winding. He also played with Wes Montgomery (1966), Bob Brookmeyer/Clark Terry (1966) and Benny Goodman (1968). From 1965 to 1970, he played with Bobby Hackett and the Al Cohn/Zoot SIMs quintet (1968-1972). Tompkins arrived in Los Angeles in 1971 to play with the Louie Bellson bands. He also joined the Tonight Show band and remained there until Johnny Carson’s departure in 1992. His most prominent appearances on records were those as a leader or sideman for Concord Jazz in 1970s. This included a gig with Joe Venuti and Live at Concord 77 ’77 and a session featuring Red Norvo, Red, and Ross. Allmusic
