Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

November 19, 1905 in Shenandoah, PA

Death

:

November 26, 1956 in Greenwich, CT

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Tommy Dorsey was an American jazz trombonist, bandleader, and composer who was born on November 19, 1905, in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. He was the younger brother of Jimmy Dorsey, who was also a famous jazz musician. Tommy Dorsey started playing the trumpet at a young age, but he switched to the trombone when he was 16 years old. He was a natural talent and quickly became one of the best trombonists of his time. Dorsey's career began in the 1920s when he played with various bands, including those led by Jean Goldkette and Paul Whiteman. In 1928, he joined the band of the famous jazz musician, Bing Crosby, and he played with him for two years. In 1934, Dorsey formed his own band, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, which became one of the most popular bands of the swing era. The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra was known for its smooth, polished sound, and it featured some of the best musicians of the time, including Bunny Berigan, Ziggy Elman, and Buddy Rich. The band's signature song was "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You," which was written by George Bassman and became a huge hit in 1935. The song featured Dorsey's trombone playing and became his trademark. Dorsey's band was also known for its collaborations with some of the best vocalists of the time, including Frank Sinatra, who joined the band in 1940. Sinatra's smooth voice and Dorsey's polished sound were a perfect match, and they recorded many hit songs together, including "I'll Never Smile Again" and "Polka Dots and Moonbeams." Dorsey was also a prolific composer and arranger, and he wrote many of the songs that his band played. Some of his most famous compositions include "Opus One," "Song of India," and "Marie." He was also known for his arrangements of popular songs, including "Stardust" and "Boogie Woogie." In addition to his musical career, Dorsey was also known for his business acumen. He was a shrewd businessman who knew how to market his band and his music. He was one of the first musicians to use radio and television to promote his music, and he was also one of the first to use endorsements to sell products. Dorsey's career was not without controversy, however. He was known for his temper and his difficult personality, and he had many conflicts with his band members and business partners. He was also accused of being a racist, and he was criticized for his treatment of African American musicians. Despite these controversies, Dorsey remained one of the most popular musicians of his time. He continued to perform and record music until his death on November 26, 1956, in Greenwich, Connecticut. He was only 51 years old. Today, Tommy Dorsey is remembered as one of the greatest trombonists and bandleaders of the swing era. His smooth, polished sound and his collaborations with some of the best vocalists of the time have made him a legend in the world of jazz and popular music. His compositions and arrangements continue to be played and recorded by musicians around the world, and his influence can still be heard in the music of today.

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