Tommy Dorsey

:Trombonist and band leader Tommy Dorsey should not be confused with pianist and jazz and gospel composer Thomas A. Dorsey.

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Tommy Dorsey (November 19, 1905–November 26, 1956) was a jazz trombonist in the Big Band era.

Related Topics:
November 19 - 1905 - November 26 - 1956 - Jazz - Trombonist - Big Band

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Thomas Dorsey was born in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania and is the younger brother of Jimmy Dorsey.

Related Topics:
Shenandoah, Pennsylvania - Jimmy Dorsey

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He worked with many bands in the New York City area starting in the 1920s, including the bands of Rudy Vallee, Vincent Lopez, and Paul Whiteman. With brother Jimmy, he led the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra until they split up (with some acrimony) in 1935. The brothers also appeared as session musicians on many jazz recordings.

Related Topics:
New York City - 1920s - Rudy Vallee - Vincent Lopez - Paul Whiteman - 1935

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Tommy Dorsey formed his own band, which was very successful. The band featured trumpeters Bunny Berigan and Charlie Shavers, arranger Sy Oliver, and singers Jo Stafford, Dick Haymes and Frank Sinatra. Sinatra achieved his first great success as a vocalist in the Dorsey band and claimed he learned breath control from watching Dorsey play trombone. Dorsey said his trombone style was heavily influenced by that of Jack Teagarden.

Related Topics:
Bunny Berigan - Charlie Shavers - Sy Oliver - Jo Stafford - Dick Haymes - Frank Sinatra - Jack Teagarden

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Tommy married Jane Dorsey (1924?-August 24, 2003) in 1947 and she remained his wife until his death. She had been a dancer at the world-renowned Copacabana. In 1956 Tommy Dorsey died at age 51 in his Greenwich, Connecticut home in his sleep, choking on food. Dorsey was interred in Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York. Jane died of natural causes at age 79.

Related Topics:
Greenwich, Connecticut - Kensico Cemetery - Valhalla, New York

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