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Tommy Dorsey

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Tommy Dorsey was an American trombonist, composer and bandleader from the big band era. He was born in 1905 in Mahanoy Plane, Pennsylvania, and first learned trumpet from his father before switching to trombone. Together with his older brother Jimmy he played in bands including Paul Whiteman's. As The Dorsey Brothers they had their first hit in 1929 with Coquette. After a quarrel Tommy walked out in 1935 to start an orchestra of his own.

Music and breakthrough

His soft, smooth trombone tone earned him the nickname Sentimental Gentleman of Swing, and his theme song was I'm Getting Sentimental Over You. His orchestra played ballads at danceable tempos and worked with singers such as Jack Leonard and Frank Sinatra. From 1940 to 1942 Sinatra sang eighty recordings with the band and said that he learned breathing by watching Dorsey play. In 1939 Dorsey brought in the arranger Sy Oliver, who brought Opus One and Well, Git It. I'll Never Smile Again spent twelve weeks at number one in 1940. Also well known are On Treasure Island, Marie and This Love of Mine.

Influence

The orchestra included Buddy Rich, Bunny Berigan and Charlie Shavers, among others, and arrangers such as Axel Stordahl and Nelson Riddle got their first work here. In 1956 the brothers presented Elvis Presley to the national audience for the first time on their television show Stage Show. Dorsey died in November 1956 at the age of 51.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to I'll Never Smile Again and notice how Dorsey's trombone almost sings the melody while the singer works around it.

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists