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Tommy Dorsey | |
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Born: November 19, 1905 Hometown: Shenandoah, Pennsylvania Instrument: Trombone Music Training: Self taught Bands and Orchestras: Paul Whiteman Orchestra, The Dorsey Brothers' Orchestra, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra Signature Song: "I'm Getting Sentimantal Over You" Signature Song: The younger brother of Jimmy, Tommy was the second son of Thomas Francis Dorsey, Sr., a music teacher and band director, and Theresa Langton Dorsey. Both brothers were schooled by their musical father. He played both the trumpet and trombone which would become his instrument of choice throughout most of his professional career. After playing in local groups the brothers formed their own band, Dorsey's Novelty Six, in 1920. They changed the name to Dorsey's Wild Canaries in 1922. During the mid 20s they played in a number of bands both together and separately including the Paul Whiteman Orchestra eventually settling in New York where they worked as session musicians. The brothers began their recording careers in 1927 with OKeh Records. In 1929 they had their first major hit with Cole Porter's "Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)," with vocal by Bing Crosby. By 1934 they had put together a full-time band and signed a recording contract with Decca Records. They hired Bing's younger brother Bob as lead vocalist and had a hit with "I Believe in Miracles." The group hit the top of the charts with "Lullaby of Broadway" vocals by Bob Crosby and after Ray Eberle replaced Crosby they hit the top again with "Chasing Shadows." In the spring of 1935 the brother's volatile relationship finally resulted in Tommy leaving to form his own orchestra. The Dorsey Band became Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra. This split was probably the reason why Benny Goodman and not the Dorsey's became known as the "King Of Swing." Meanwhile Tommy took over the remanants of the Joe Haymes band to form his own group. In 1935 he signed a contract with RCA Records and had immediate success with "On Treasure Island" which topped the charts in early 1936. He hit the top of the charts twice more that year with "You" and "Alone" as well as 8 other to ten records that year. He soon topped that success with 18 more hits in 1937 including the standard "Marie." In 1939 vocalist Jack Leonard left the group and he was replaced by a young singer from the Harry James Orchestra, Frank Sinatra. He also added Connie Haines as female vocalist and the Pied Pipers featuring Jo Stafford as the vocal quartet. In 1942 during the American Federation of Music strike which prevented musicians from entering recording studios, Sinatra left the Dorsey Orchestra to launch his solo career. In May of 1953 Jimmy disbanded his orchestra and rejoined his brother. During the summer of 1954 the brothers launched their own television show Stage Show as a summer replacement program. It continued to run on and off during the 1954-55 season and returned full time during 1955-56. It was on this show that a young Elvis Presley launched his national career. Sedated by sleeping pills after a heavy meal Tommy accidentally choked to death at the age of 51. His brother took over the orchestra after that, but he also died shortly thereafter. Died: November 26, 1956
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