Tommy Dorsey’s Orchestra was one of the leading big bands of the swing era in the 1930s and ‘40s, developing a style of music which had its roots in the hot jazz of the 1920s but also crossed over to appeal to the broad mass of the American radio-listening public, as it embraced the middle-of-the-road pop vocal hits of the day alongside their swinging instrumentals. Trombonist 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 ‘03s and striking out with his own large ensemble when they split. This great-value 146-track 6-CD set comprises just about all of his recordings which are listed as hits in the standard industry sources or which appeared in the Billboard charts after their introduction in 1940, and includes those by Dorsey’s Clambake Seven as well as his main orchestra. 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. It’s a substantial and comprehensive showcase for the music of one of the most important orchestras of the day, and an entertaining journey through the popular music of the swing era.
