by Ted Gottsegen
Tommy was Jimmy's younger brother and the more temperamental 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 older 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 continued to play with smaller ensembles throughout his career. During the 1930's after the break-up of the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra 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 Brothers had their own show on the CBS network, "Stage Show," which gave them nationwide coverage.

The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra
Tom Dorsey and his Novelty Orchestra Tom Dorsey and his Clambake Seven
The Dorsey Brothers Concert Orchestra The Travelers
Title Recording Date Recording Location Company
It's Right Here For You
(Perry Bradford)
6-13-1929 New York, New York Okeh
Maybe (a)
(George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin)
7-14-1932 New York, New York Okeh
Maybe (b)
(George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin)
7-14-1932 New York, New York Okeh
Three Moods
(Tommy Dorsey)
7-14-1932 New York, New York Okeh
Three Moods (a)
(Tommy Dorsey)
8-6-1932 New York, New York Okeh
Three Moods (b)
(Tommy Dorsey)
8-6-1932 New York, New York Okeh
Tiger Rag
(Nick LaRocca)
6-13-1929 New York, New York Okeh
Artist Instrument
Bunny Berigan Trumpet
Artie Bernstein Bass
Larry Binyon Tenor Saxophone
Jimmy Dorsey Clarinet, Alto Saxophone
Tommy Dorsey Cornet
Stan King Drums
Carl Kress Guitar
Manny Klein Trumpet
Eddie Lang Guitar
Fulton McGrath Piano
Arthur Schutt Harmonium
Jimmy Williams Bass, Tuba
Title Director Year
Segar Ellis and His Embassy Club Orchestra 1929
Alice Boulden and her Orchestra 1929
Las Vegas Nights Ralph Murphy 1941
Ship Ahoy Edward Buzzell 1942
Presenting Lily Mars Norman Taurog 1943
Du Barry Was a Lady Roy Del Ruth 1943
Thrill of a Romance Richard Thorpe 1945
The Fabulous Dorseys Will Jason 1947
A Song Is Born Howard Hawks 1948
Disc Jockey Will Jason 1951
Tommy Dorsey; Living In A Great Big Way by Peter J. Levinson, Da Capo Press 2005
Tommy & Jimmy; The Dorsey Years by Herb Sanford, Arlington House 1972