Tommy Dorsey (November 19, 1905 – November 26, 1956) was Jimmy’s younger brother and the more temperamental of the two. He was generally blamed for the feuding between the two that eventually brought about the demise of the Dorsey Brothers band. As a youngster, Tommy shared the same musical gift as his older brother and was equally adept at both trumpet and his main instrument the trombone.
Tommy was a hot player at heart, having recorded a few hot sides by 1927 and continued to play with smaller ensembles throughout his career. During the 1930’s after the break-up of the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra Tommy formed his own group from the remnants of the old Joe Haymes’ Orchestra. During this period Tommy also led a number of smaller hot groups that were formed with members of the big band. He also freelanced and played with a number of legendary jazzmen including Louis Armstrong, Mezz Mezzrow, George Wettling, Jack Teagarden, Red Allen, Eddie Condon and Pops Foster.
In 1953 the Dorsey Brothers reunited when Jimmy joined Tommy’s band. From 1955-’56 the Brothers had their own show on the CBS network, “Stage Show,” which gave them nationwide coverage.—by Ted Gottsegen
Also See: Tommy Dorsey: Profiles in Jazz
| The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra | Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra |
| Tom Dorsey and his Novelty Orchestra | Tom Dorsey and his Clambake Seven |
| The Dorsey Brothers Concert Orchestra | The Travelers |
| Title | Recording Date | Recording Location | Company |
| It’s Right Here For You (Perry Bradford) |
6-13-1929 | New York, New York | Okeh |
| Maybe (a) (George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin) |
7-14-1932 | New York, New York | Okeh |
| Maybe (b) (George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin) |
7-14-1932 | New York, New York | Okeh |
| Three Moods (Tommy Dorsey) |
7-14-1932 | New York, New York | Okeh |
| Three Moods (a) (Tommy Dorsey) |
8-6-1932 | New York, New York | Okeh |
| Three Moods (b) (Tommy Dorsey) |
8-6-1932 | New York, New York | Okeh |
| Tiger Rag (Nick LaRocca) |
6-13-1929 | New York, New York | Okeh |
| Artist | Instrument |
| Bunny Berigan | Trumpet |
| Artie Bernstein | Bass |
| Larry Binyon | Tenor Saxophone |
| Jimmy Dorsey | Clarinet, Alto Saxophone |
| Tommy Dorsey | Cornet |
| Stan King | Drums |
| Carl Kress | Guitar |
| Manny Klein | Trumpet |
| Eddie Lang | Guitar |
| Fulton McGrath | Piano |
| Arthur Schutt | Harmonium |
| Jimmy Williams | Bass, Tuba |
| Title | Director | Year |
| Segar Ellis and His Embassy Club Orchestra | 1929 | |
| Alice Boulden and her Orchestra | 1929 | |
| Las Vegas Nights | Ralph Murphy | 1941 |
| Ship Ahoy | Edward Buzzell | 1942 |
| Presenting Lily Mars | Norman Taurog | 1943 |
| Du Barry Was a Lady | Roy Del Ruth | 1943 |
| Thrill of a Romance | Richard Thorpe | 1945 |
| The Fabulous Dorseys | Will Jason | 1947 |
| A Song Is Born | Howard Hawks | 1948 |
| Disc Jockey | Will Jason | 1951 |
| Tommy Dorsey; Living In A Great Big Way by Peter J. Levinson, Da Capo Press 2005 |
| Tommy & Jimmy: The Dorsey Years by Herb Sanford, Arlington House 1972 |
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