Tommy Dorsey

Tommy Dorsey
Tommy Dorsey
	Dorsey in 1947
Background information
Birth name	Thomas Francis Dorsey Jr.
Born	November 19, 1905; Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	November 26, 1956 (aged 51); Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
Genres	Big band; swing; jazz;
Occupations	Bandleader; trombonist; conductor;
Instruments	Trombone; trumpet; cornet;
Years active	1921–1956
Labels	RCA Victor; Brunswick; Decca; OKeh; Columbia;
Formerly of	The California Ramblers; Jimmy Dorsey; Jean Goldkette; Paul Whiteman; Frank Sinatra; The Pied Pipers; Buddy DeFranco; Buddy Rich; Jo Stafford; Connie Haines; Glenn Miller; The Boswell Sisters; Dick Haymes; Gene Krupa; Sy Oliver; Nelson Riddle;

Thomas Francis Dorsey Jr. (November 19, 1905 – November 26, 1956) was an American jazz trombonist, composer, conductor and bandleader of the big band era. He was known as the "Sentimental Gentleman of Swing" because of his smooth-toned trombone playing. His theme song was "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You". His technical skill on the trombone gave him renown among other musicians. He was the younger brother of bandleader Jimmy Dorsey. After Dorsey broke with his brother in the mid-1930s, he led an extremely successful band from the late 1930s into the 1950s. He is best remembered for standards such as "Opus One", "This Love of Mine" (no. 3 in 1941) featuring Frank Sinatra on vocals, "Song of India", "Marie", "On Treasure Island", and his biggest hit single, "I'll Never Smile Again" (no. 1 for 12 weeks in 1940).