Personnel: Herb Ellis, Tony Rizzi (guitar); Bob Lawson, Buddy Williams (saxophone); Bruce Branson, Frank Langone, Lou Prisby, Jack Aiken, Jimmy Dorsey, Sid Cooper (alto saxophone); Irving Goodman, Tony Faso, Cy Baker, Shorty Solomson, John Dougherty, George Seaburg, Bob Alexy, Ray Linn, Ziggy Elman, Charlie Shavers (trumpet); Robert Alexander , John Youngman, Tex Satterwhite, Walter Benson, Chauncey Welsch (trombone); Marvin Wright , Lou Carter (piano); Karl Kiffe, Louie Bellson (drums).
Recording information: 1946.
Author: Alastair Robertson.
After their breakup in 1935 and before they again joined forces in 1953, the brothers Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey only appeared together on very rare occasions: a joint gig in 1939, a V-Disc in 1945 that resulted in "Brotherly Jump," the filming of The Fabulous Dorseys movie in 1946, and the two broadcasts that are included on this enjoyable CD. Both the Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey Orchestras appeared at Tommy Dorsey's ill-fated Casino Gardens near Los Angeles in 1946, taking turns during the two broadcasts and coming together on both occasions during "Brotherly Jump"; unfortunately, both of the renditions of the latter are cut off before their conclusion by the radio announcer. Jimmy Dorsey's band is heard on a number from 1945 and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra is featured on two other occasions during 1946-1947. With the exception of some of the vocals (particularly Stuart Foster's spots with Tommy Dorsey), all of the music is pretty jazz-oriented. Among the highlights are Jimmy's rendition of "Perdido" (which has early solos from baritonist Serge Chaloff and guitarist Herb Ellis), the short spots of trumpeter Charlie Shavers with Tommy Dorsey, and such numbers as "Tom Foolery," "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning," "At the Fat Man's," and "Clarinet Cascades" (a feature for Abe Most). High-quality swing music from the end of the big-band era. ~ Scott Yanow