red hot jazz jazzbanner

Tommy DorseyTommy 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 ArmstrongMezz Mezzrow, George Wettling, Jack TeagardenRed AllenEddie 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

band or session leader

The Dorsey Brothers OrchestraTommy Dorsey and his Orchestra
Tom Dorsey and his Novelty OrchestraTom Dorsey and his Clambake Seven
The Dorsey Brothers Concert OrchestraThe Travelers

TitleRecording DateRecording LocationCompany
It’s Right Here For You
(Perry Bradford)
6-13-1929New York, New YorkOkeh
Maybe (a)
(George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin)
7-14-1932New York, New YorkOkeh
Maybe (b)
(George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin)
7-14-1932New York, New YorkOkeh
Three Moods
(Tommy Dorsey)
7-14-1932New York, New YorkOkeh
Three Moods (a)
(Tommy Dorsey)
8-6-1932New York, New YorkOkeh
Three Moods (b)
(Tommy Dorsey)
8-6-1932New York, New YorkOkeh
Tiger Rag
(Nick LaRocca)
6-13-1929New York, New YorkOkeh

accompanied by

ArtistInstrument
Bunny BeriganTrumpet
Artie BernsteinBass
Larry BinyonTenor Saxophone
Jimmy DorseyClarinet, Alto Saxophone
Tommy DorseyCornet
Stan KingDrums
Carl KressGuitar
Manny KleinTrumpet
Eddie LangGuitar
Fulton McGrathPiano
Arthur SchuttHarmonium
Jimmy WilliamsBass, Tuba

TitleDirectorYear
Segar Ellis and His Embassy Club Orchestra1929
Alice Boulden and her Orchestra1929
Las Vegas NightsRalph Murphy1941
Ship AhoyEdward Buzzell1942
Presenting Lily MarsNorman Taurog1943
Du Barry Was a LadyRoy Del Ruth1943
Thrill of a RomanceRichard Thorpe1945
The Fabulous DorseysWill Jason1947
A Song Is BornHoward Hawks1948
Disc JockeyWill Jason1951

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

 

The site supplying most of the MP3 files to the Red Hot Jazz Archive pages on Syncopatedtimes.com is down and many links no longer work. You may find the original Redhotjazz.com and download all of the original RealMedia .ra music files on the WayBackMachine at Archive.org. 

https://web.archive.org/www.redhotjazz.com