Tommy Dorsey’s Orchestra was one of the leading big bands of the swing era in the 1930s and ‘40s.

Born in Pennsylvania,  Dorsey was the second of four children born to bandleader Thomas Francis Sr and Theresa Dorsey.

He studied the trumpet with his father but later switched to trombone. Developing a style of music which had its roots in the hot jazz of the 1920s, but crossing over to appeal to the broad mass of the American radio-listening public, Dorsey had a prolific career.

Playing and recording with small jazz groups in the ‘20s before launching an orchestra with his brother Jimmy in the early ‘30s, he struck out with his own large ensemble when they split.

This 6CD set features 146 tracks and just about all of his recordings which are listed as hits in the standard industry sources. It features a remarkable tally of 13 No.1 hits, including: The Music Goes Round And Round, Marie, You, Once In A While, Music, Maestro, Please, Our Love, I’ll Never Smile Again, There Are Such Things and In The Blue Of The Evening.

His orchestra was a notable launching pad for some future star vocalists, and the singers featured in this set include Frank Sinatra, Connie Haines, Jo Stafford, Jack Leonard, Edythe Wright, The Pied Pipers, Freddie Stewart, Bonnie Lou Williams and Stuart Foster.

Dorsey died on November 26, 1956, at his home in Connecticut, a week after his 51st birthday. In 1982, I’ll Never Smile Again was the first of a trio of Tommy Dorsey recordings to be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. His theme song, I’m Getting Sentimental Over You was inducted in 1998, along with his recording of Marie written by Irving Berlin in 1928.

This is an entertaining journey through the popular music of the swing era.

TRACKS