THE TOMMY DORSEY ORCHESTRA holds an enduring place in Big Band history as one of the finest all-around dance bands of the Swing Era. The orchestra could swing with the best of them, but it was Tommy Dorsey’s extraordinary way with a ballad that set the band apart. Known as “The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing,” Dorsey created a warm, polished and unmistakable sound that made his orchestra one of the most popular and influential bands in America.
That legendary sound produced an extraordinary collection of hits, including I’m Getting Sentimental Over You, Marie, Song of India, Opus One, On the Sunny Side of the Street, Boogie Woogie, There Are Such Things and I’ll Never Smile Again — music that remains instantly recognizable generations later.
The orchestra also played an important role in the career of Frank Sinatra, whose years with Dorsey helped establish him as one of the great vocalists of his generation. Sinatra often credited Tommy’s remarkable trombone technique with influencing his own phrasing and breath control. With Sinatra out front, recordings such as I’ll Never Smile Again, There Are Such Things and Polka Dots and Moonbeams became part of American popular music history.
At the height of its popularity, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra ranked among the biggest names in American music. Even as the Big Band Era began to fade in the late 1940s, Tommy Dorsey remained determined to keep the music alive, returning to the road with a new orchestra and continuing to perform for audiences across the country.
The late Buddy Morrow, legendary trombonist and bandleader, led The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra for decades and helped preserve its distinctive sound for new generations. Today, the orchestra is led by Jeff Bush, whose association with the TDO began in 2000 when Morrow hired him to join the band. Jeff toured extensively with the orchestra, performing many of Tommy Dorsey’s iconic trombone solos and frequently leading the band in Buddy’s absence. He is proud to carry forward the musical legacy entrusted to him.
Tommy Dorsey Orchestra brings the excitement, elegance and unmistakable sound of the Big Band Era to performing arts centers and concert stages across the country. From hard-swinging favorites to those beautiful Dorsey ballads, audiences experience the music that made Tommy Dorsey a legend — performed by an orchestra dedicated to keeping that great American sound alive.
“The music. The memories. The unmistakable sound of Tommy Dorsey — still swinging for audiences of all ages.”
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