American Songbook Blogs

November 19, 1905 – November 26, 1956 Tommy Dorsey was a legendary jazz trombonist, composer, conductor and bandleader of the big band era. He was known as the “Sentimental Gentleman of Swing” because of his smooth-toned trombone playing. Tommy’s incredible musicianship continues to influence trombonists even today. Frank Sinatra, who was for some time the “boy singer” with the Dorsey band, often credited learning how to breath and phrase as a vocalist from his years on the bandstand, watching and listening from Dorsey’s trombone playing. Some of Tommy’s hit recordings include “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You, (his theme song),” “Opus One,” “Marie,” “Deep River,” Song of India,” “Hawaiian War Chant,” and “I’ll Never Smile Again (featuring Sinatra).” Happy Birthday to our Sentimental Gentleman of Swing, who left an indelible mark in our American Songbook.