Tommy Dorsey (1905 - 1956)
Tommy was Jimmy Dorsey's older brother and the more
tempermental 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 younger 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 continueing to play with
smaller ensembles throughout his career. During the
1930's after the break-up of the Dorsey Brothers
band 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 Brother had their own show on the CBS network STAGE SHOW thus
giving them national wide coverage.
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