The Dorsey Brothers

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The Dorsey Brothers

The Dorsey Brothers were an American studio dance band, led by

OKeh Records
.

History

The Dorsey Brothers recorded songs for the dime store labels (Banner, Cameo, Domino, Jewel, Oriole, Perfect). A handful of sides during their Brunswick period were issued by Vocalion.

They signed to

Tomorrow's Another Day".[1] Miller left in late 1934 to take up the job as Ray Noble
's musical director and arranger.

In 1935, the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra had 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.[2]

Tommy Dorsey permanently left the orchestra in 1935 to take over the Joe Haymes band, turning it into Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra, with the nucleus of the Dorsey Brothers' Orchestra carrying on under Jimmy's leadership. Tommy's chair was filled by the 16-year-old Bobby Byrne. The Dorseys reunited on March 15, 1945, to record a

Stage Show produced by Jackie Gleason. Elvis Presley made his national television debut on their show in 1956. Charlie Parker
, who as a fledgling alto sax player expressed an admiration for Jimmy, died in front of the TV while watching a Dorsey Brothers' show. When in November 1956 Tommy died in his sleep from choking on his own vomit, Jimmy, already desperately ill, carried on for some months with Tommy's silent trombone displayed on stage, until in June 1957 he succumbed to lung cancer.

Jimmy and Tommy appeared as the Mystery Guests on the October 16, 1955 airing of What's My Line?. They were guessed by Dorothy Kilgallen.

In 1996, the U.S. Postal Service issued a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Jimmy Dorsey and Tommy Dorsey.

Dorsey Brothers Orchestra in the studio, 1934: Pictured are (Back row, l-r): Don "Matty" Matteson, trombone; Ray McKinley, drums; George Thow, trumpet; Glenn Miller, trombone; Bobby Van Epps, piano. (Middle row, l-r): Skeets Herfurt, tenor sax; Jack Stacey, tenor sax; Jimmy Dorsey, alto sax; Delmar Kaplan, bass; Roc Hillman, guitar; Tommy Dorsey, trombone. Seated in front are band vocalists Bob Crosby and Kay Weber.

Notable releases

  • "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[3]
  • "
    Tomorrow's Another Day
    ", 1935, composed and arranged by Glenn Miller
  • "Harlem Chapel Chimes", 1935, composed and arranged by Glenn Miller
  • "Chasing Shadows", 1935, No. 1[4]
  • "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, No. 1
  • "Night Wind", 1935
  • "Solitude", 1935
  • "The Gentlemen Obviously Doesn't Believe (In Love)", 1935
  • "Tiny Little Fingerprints", 1935
  • "You Are My Lucky Star", 1935

Members

References

  1. ^ "Dorsey Brothers Orchestra". Red Hot Jazz Archive. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  2. . Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  3. ^ Simon, George Thomas. Glenn Miller and His Orchestra. NY: Crowell, 1974.
  4. ^ "The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. Retrieved 27 August 2018.

External links