The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
From a coal mining family in Pennsylvania, Tommy Dorsey (born in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania on November 19, 1905) and his brother Jimmy grew up to become two of the most popular US jazz stars of the 1930s, entertaining audiences with up-tempo swing and show tunes and shaping the dance sounds of the era. With Tommy on trombone and Jimmy on saxophone, the siblings worked together in bands as teenagers before uniting as The Dorsey Brothers and scoring many hits. Despite numerous rows and disagreements, they successfully ran the orchestra (which included a young Glenn Miller in its ranks) together for years, before Tommy left in 1935 to start his own band. Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra became one of the most popular ensembles during the big band era, scoring seventeen Number 1 hits including "On Treasure Island", "The Music Goes 'Round and Around", "Satan Takes a Holiday", "The Big Apple", "The Dipsy Doodle", "Our Love", "All the Things You Are", "Indian Summer", and "Dolores". With over 200 chart hits, the orchestra’s biggest single was 1940’s “I’ll Never Smile Again”, which featured Frank Sinatra on vocals. During the group’s existence, Tommy Dorsey’s eye for talent meant that he hired many of the finest musicians and singers of the era including trumpeters Bunny Berigan and Doc Severinsen, clarinetist Buddy DeFranco, drummers Buddy Rich and Louie Bellson, and vocalists Frank Sinatra, Jack Leonard, Jo Stafford, Dick Haymes, and Connie Haines. Like most of his contemporaries, Tommy Dorsey’s reign on the charts ended when World War II came to a close. He dismantled his orchestra in 1946, although a renewed interest in his music the following year ensured that he would remain busy. Tommy Dorsey reunited with his brother in 1953 and they hosted a national television series together called Stage Show, which introduced Elvis Presley to a wider televised audience. Tommy Dorsey died at the age of 51 on November 26, 1956, after taking sleeping pills and choking to death in his sleep.
©Copyright Music Story Stephen Schnee 2023
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"Sentimental Gentleman of Swing"
Jazz - Released by White Room Music on Apr 23, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
All Time Hit Parade Rehearsals
Jazz - Released by Hep Records on Mar 27, 1990
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Hits Collection 1935-58
Tommy Dorsey, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
Jazz - Released by ACROBAT on Dec 10, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Stereo Sound Of Tommy Dorsey
Jazz - Released by Bright Orange Records on Jan 25, 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Ultimate Collection
Jazz - Released by Stardust Records on May 1, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Last Moments of Greatness, Vol. II
The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Jimmy Dorsey
Jazz - Released by Jazz King Records on Dec 1, 1965
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
I'll Never Smile Again (Billboard Hot 100 - No. 01)
Jazz - Released by Music Manager on Dec 19, 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tea for Two Cha Cha (Mono Version)
Pop - Released by BNF Collection on Jan 1, 1958
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
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You Are My Lucky Star (The Bluebird Recordings in Chronological Order Vol. 01 - 1935)
Pop - Released by Jazz Classics on Jan 1, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Best of Tommy Dorsey
Jazz - Released by Jazz Essential on Sep 29, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
DORSEY, Tommy: Swing High (1936-1940)
Tommy Dorsey, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Edythe Wright, Jack Leonard & Chorus, Jack Leonard, Tommy Dorsey Clambake Seven
Traditional Jazz & New Orleans - Released by Naxos on Apr 14, 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Swing Band Project, Vol. 5: Swinging and Sentimental Trombone
Pop - Released by Jube Legends on Apr 16, 2021
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
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Big Band Hits of Tommy Dorsey
Jazz - Released by Michele Records on Jan 1, 1993
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Hawaïan War Chant (Mono Version)
Jazz - Released by BNF Collection on Jan 1, 1955
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
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A Salute to Tommy Dorsey
Jazz - Released by Blue Pie Records USA on Jan 1, 1960
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Palladium Nov. 26, 1940 / Raleigh Jan. 6, 1943
Jazz - Released by Jazz Hour on Dec 2, 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo