Songwriters Hall of Fame

Among the greatest trombonists in jazz history, Tommy Dorsey was born on November 19, 1905 in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania.

During the late 1920’s and early 30’s, both he and his brother Jimmy played with the California Ramblers, Charleston Chasers, Jean Goldkette, Red Nichols and Paul Whiteman. Tommy also recorded as the featured soloist with Vincent Lopez and Rudy Vallee.

Tommy and Jimmy formed a permanent band, Dorsey Brothers Orchestra in 1934 featuring arrangements by Glenn Miller and vocals by Bill Dutton, Smith Ballew, Bing Crosby, Scrappy Lambert, Tony Starr, Bob Crosby, Ray McKinley, Don Mattison, Skeets Herfurt, Kay Weber, Bob Eberly and Gordon Polk.

The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra was responsible for nearly 30 top twenty recordings including ‘Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love)’ (#9, 1929), ‘What a Diff’rence a Day Made’ (#5, 1934), ‘I Believe in Miracles’ (#3, 1935), ‘Night Wind’ (#10, 1935), ‘Lullaby of Broadway’ (#1, 1935), ‘Chasing Shadows’ (#1, 1935), and “I’ve Got a Feelin’ You’re Foolin’” (#3, 1935).

Tommy left the Dorsey Brothers in 1935 to form his own band, Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra. With arrangements by Sy Oliver and featured vocalists including Cliff Weston, Edythe Wright, Eleanor Powell, Jack Leonard, Joe Dixon, Buddy Gately and the young Frank Sinatra, the orchestra had over 200 top twenty recordings including the #1 hits ‘The Music Goes Round and Round’ (1935), ‘Alone’ (1936) ‘You’ (1936), ‘Marie’ (1937), ‘Satan Takes a Holiday’ (1937), ‘The Big Apple’ (1937), ‘Once in a While’ (1937), ‘The Dipsy Doodle’ (1937), ‘Music, Maestro, Please’ (1938), ‘Our Love’ (1939), ‘Indian Summer’ (1939), ‘All the Things You Are’ (1939), ‘I’ll Never Smile Again’ (1940), ‘Dolores’ (1941), ‘There are Such Things’ (1942), ‘In the Blue of the Evening’ (1943).

One of the true giants of American popular music, Tommy Dorsey died on November 26, 1956.