The Dorsey Brothers

The Dorsey Brothers first appeared together on disc under that name in 1928, yet the ensembles they directed until 1933 remained strictly recording units devoted to classic jazz, spirited dance numbers, and occasional ballads. In 1934 the siblings formed a permanent orchestra; within a year, fronted by Bob Crosby (later replaced by Bob Eberle) and benefiting from Glenn Miller’s arrangements, the group stood poised for prominence in the emerging swing years. A widely reported dispute over the tempo of “I’ll Never Say Never Again Again” during a ballroom engagement prompted Tommy Dorsey to depart abruptly and launch his own band.

By 1953 both brothers had achieved considerable success with their separate orchestras and had reconciled. When their individual units encountered financial strain, Jimmy disbanded his own group to share leadership of Tommy’s. For nearly four years the reactivated Dorsey Brothers Orchestra delivered polished dance music highlighted by occasional solos from trumpeter Charlie Shavers and the two siblings themselves; the ensemble also hosted its own television program. Tommy’s sudden passing in November 1956 brought the partnership to a close, with Jimmy following seven months afterward.