Jimmy Dorsey





James "Jimmy" Dorsey (February 29, 1904 - June 12, 1957) was a prominent
jazz clarinetist and big band leader.

Jimmy Dorsey was born in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, the son of a music
teacher and older brother of Tommy Dorsey who also became a prominent
musician. He played trumpet in his youth, appearing on stage in a Vaudeville
act as early as 1913. He switched to saxophone in 1915, and then learned to
double on clarinet.

He formed a band with his brother Tommy, then in 1924 joined the California
Ramblers (who were based in New York City). He did much free lance radio and
recording work throughout the 1920s. He joined Ted Lewis's band in 1930,
with who he toured Europe.

After returning to the USA he worked briefly with Rudy Vallee and several
other bandleaders, in addition to the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra with Tommy.
Tommy broke off to form his own band in 1935. Jimmy continued leading his
own band until the start of the 1950s. In 1953 he joined Tommy's Orchestra,
renamed "The Fabulous Dorseys"; he took over leadership of the orchestra
after Tommy's death.

Jimmy Dorsey appeared in a number of Hollywood motion pictures, including
That Girl From Paris, Shall We Dance?, The Fleet's In, Lost in Harlem, I
Dood It, and the bio-pic with his brother Tommy, The Fabulous Dorseys.

Jimmy Dorsey died of cancer in New York City.