orig. Thomas Dorsey
born Nov. 19, 1905, Shenandoah, Pa., U.S.
died Nov. 26, 1956, Greenwich, Conn.
U.S. trombonist and band leader.
Dorsey led the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra from 1934 with his brother, saxophonist and clarinetist Jimmy Dorsey (190457); they later separated to lead their own groups. Tommy Dorsey's band combined smooth ballad performances with up-tempo jazz arrangements featuring some of the best musicians of the period, including Buddy Rich , Frank Sinatra , and arranger Sy Oliver. Dorsey's trombone playing was technically impeccable, and his seamless phrasing and sweet tone were a major influence on singers and brass players alike. The Tommy Dorsey band was one of the most popular big bands of the swing era