Profession: Jazz Trombonist and Big Band Leader
Biography: Tommy Dorsey was an American musician, best known as a trombonist and band leader during the big band era. His style of trombone-playing led to him being nicknamed the "Sentimental Gentleman of Swing," with his theme song being I'm Getting Sentimental Over You (1932).
While Dorsey initially played with a band led by his older brother, Jimmy Dorsey, in the late 1930s he started his own band which was met with critical acclaim and widespread success.
Dorsey is known for a variety of popular standards, including Opus One (1944), and his hit single I'll Never Smile Again (1940)
Born: November 19, 1905
Birthplace: Mahanoy Plane, Pennsylvania, USA
Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Snake
Star Sign: Scorpio
Died: November 26, 1956 (aged 51)
Cause of Death: Died in his sleep from choking after eating a heavy meal and taking sleeping pills which left him heavily sedated
Historical Events
- 1939-10-20 "All the Things You Are" recorded by Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
- 1940-02-02 Frank Sinatra performs at the Lyric Theater in Indianapolis, Indiana, his first as featured singer with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
- 1940-07-20 Billboard publishes its 1st singles record chart - "I'll Never Smile Again" by Tommy Dorsey, with vocal by Frank Sinatra is #1
- 1941-02-07 Frank Sinatra & Tommy Dorsey orchestra record "Everything Happens to Me"
- 1942-02-19 Tommy Dorsey & his orchestra record "I'll Take Tallulah"
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