‘Tonight Show’ drummer, country fiddler in anniversary concert

A veteran of the Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Count Bassie bands will help the Varsity Band celebrate its 30th anniversary Thursday-Saturday, April 15-17.

Drummer Ed Shaughnessy also played with jazz legends Jack Teagarden and George Shearing before joining the “Tonight Show” band with Doc Severinsen.

Also appearing with the Varsity Band will be Amber Dawn Carter, fiddler and lead singer for the country band Silk & Saddle, based in Nashville, Tenn. Badger football fans may remember her from her performances at the Music City Bowl.

“Super Band XXX” also will feature traditional Wisconsin standards, Fifth Quarter tunes, tributes to ’70s icons Billy Joel and Abba, excerpts from Gershwin’s folk opera “Porgy and Bess,” and other special surprises. All performances of Super Band XXX will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Kohl Center. Tickets, $15, are available at the UW Band ticket office, 265-4120, http://www.badgerband.com.