Music Spotlight: The Dorsey Brothers

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The Fabulous Dorsey Brothers

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Tommy and Jimmy born 1904 and 1905 from Pennsylvania,  they created music for an incredible swing face era, in which the most fabulous dancing was born.

Learning instruments at a young age, cornetists, saxophone and clarinet, Tommy to the trombone they quickly

The Dorsey brothers formed first band, Dorseys’ Novelty Six, then Dorseys’ Wild Canaries 1920.

They found themselves in New York City by 1925, in which they worked as players and as soloists for musicians and radio.

They started recording the the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra in 1928, a fabulous dance band,  they toured and recorded music.

In 1928-34 they  formally organized Dorsey Brothers Orchestra.

Dorsey Brothers Orchestra, 1934. Bottom (L-R): George Thow, Roc Hillman, Don Matteson, Skeets Herfurt, Ray McKinley; Standing (L-R): Bobby Van Epps, Delmar Kaplan, Tommy Dorsey, Kay Weber, Jimmy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Jack Stacey

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They had the likes of Glen Miller working for them. In 1934  they  went on to have two No. 1 recordings on Decca, including “Lullaby of Broadway” with Bob Crosby on vocals, topping the charts for two weeks and No. 1 for three weeks.

Tommy Dorsey permanently left the orchestra in 1935. In 1940 Tommy Dorsey signed Frank Sinatra, away from the Harry James Orchestra.

They came back together on and off for several years, then coming back together in 1947 the film the fabulous Dorseys, 3 years later 1950, they disbanded the band.

1954 they had their own tv stage show produced by Jackie Gleason in which they regularly appeared. They also played with with Elvis Presley a few times on the show.

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Tommy died in his sleep in 1956 and Jimmy died in 1957 of cancer

They are reminder of a fabulous time in music gone by

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Song Hits

• “Coquette”, 1928
• “Dixie Dawn”, 1928
• “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love”, (vocal by Bing Crosby), 1929
• “Sally of My Dreams”, 1929
• “Fine and Dandy”, 1930
• “Ooh! That Kiss”, 1932
• “Old Man Harlem”, 1933
• “I’m Gettin’ Sentimental Over You”, 1934; later used by Tommy Dorsey as his Theme Song after he formed his own band
• “Lost in a Fog”, 1934
• “What a Diff’rence a Day Made”, 1934
• “You’re the Top”, 1934
• “Annie’s Cousin Fannie”, 1934, Brunswick and Decca versions, composed and arranged by Glenn Miller
• “Tomorrow’s Another Day”, 1935, composed and arranged by Glenn Miller
• “Harlem Chapel Chimes”, 1935, composed and arranged by Glenn Miller
• “Chasing Shadows”, 1935, 
• “Every Little Moment”, 1935
• “Every Single Little Tingle of My Heart”, 1935
• “I’ll Never Say Never Again Again”, 1935
• “I’ve Got a Feelin’ You’re Foolin'”, 1935
• “Dese Dem Dose”, 1935, composed and arranged by Glenn Miller
• “Lullaby of Broadway”, 1935,
• “Night Wind”, 1935
• “Solitude”, 1935
• “The Gentlemen Obviously Doesn’t Believe (In Love)”, 1935
• “Tiny Little Fingerprints”, 1935
• “You Are My Lucky Star”, 1935