Thomas Francis "Tommy" Dorsey Jr. was an American trombonist, composer, conductor and bandleader of the Big Band era, born on November 19, 1905, in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. He was best known as one of the leading trombonists of his time and as the leader of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. His smooth-toned trombone playing became one of the signature sounds of his band, which greatly influenced the development of big band and swing music. Tommy, along with his brother Jimmy Dorsey, initially performed together as The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra until they parted ways in 1935 following a heated argument. Tommy then formed his own band, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, which became extremely successful and featured singers like Frank Sinatra and Jo Stafford.

Dorsey was renowned for his technical skill on the trombone and his ability to deliver emotion-packed performances. His most iconic hit, "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You," became his band's theme song. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Tommy Dorsey had numerous hits and contributed significantly to the popularity of swing music. His discography was vast, with releases highlighting his virtuosity and the changing sounds of jazz across decades. Even after his untimely death on November 26, 1956, his music remained influential, as seen in remastered collections and tributes like "The Music You Need," "Music Maestro Please!," and "The Swing Band Project, Vol. 5: Swinging and Sentimental Trombone." Tommy Dorsey remains a seminal figure in the history of American popular music, and his recordings continue to be celebrated for their technical prowess and swing rhythms.

Genres

Adult Standards

Big Band

Dixieland

Jazz Trombone

Swing

Tin Pan Alley

Vintage Jazz

Related Artists

Count Basie

Duke Ellington

Glenn Miller

Benny Goodman

Harry James

Artie Shaw

Jimmy Dorsey

Woody Herman

Guy Lombardo

Lionel Hampton

Cab Calloway

Charlie Barnet

Latest Release

The Music You Need

Tommy Dorsey

Album - 40 Tracks - Released January 11, 2023