Jimmy Dorsey: A Study in Contrasts

by Robert L. Stockdale

Overview

The Dorsey brothers were prominent members of the Big Band fraternity in the late thirties, forties, and fifties. Jimmy Dorsey: A Study in Contrasts is a bio-discographical text that spans Jimmy Dorsey's career as a musician, orchestra leader, and composer. The book is a collection of chronological listings of every recording on which Dorsey is believed to have played or have been present, interspersed with brief biographical notations and contemporary historical information that show the close relationship between his talents and his life experiences as well as points out the many contrasts between Jimmy and his brother Tommy in personality, business drive, and musical ability.

Each listing contains an abundance of information about the studio, city, and date of the session, the name of the recording group, its personnel and their instruments, plus the matrix number, song title, vocalist (if any) and all the world wide releases known to be in existence (including 78 rpm, 45 rpm, EP, LP, 8-track, cassette, compact disc, and electrical transcription). The listings even include any other titles under which the recording may have been released. In addition to music, motion pictures, radio, and television programs on which Dorsey worked or appeared, the listings contain information about the Broadway musical productions where he was a member of the pit band. In all, over 3000 recordings and appearances are listed, making this an unequaled and minutely detailed reference on Jimmy Dorsey, one of the most influential musicians of the big band era.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810835368
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/23/1998
Series:	Studies in Jazz , #30
Pages:	698
Product dimensions:	5.76(w) x 8.72(h) x 1.61(d)

About the Author

Robert L. Stockdale is a retired broadcaster and computer information systems manager. An avid record collector, he is author of this volume's companion text: Tommy Dorsey: On the Side (Scarecrow Press, 1995), winner of the ARSC Award for Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research.

Editorial Reviews

Stockdale is a very careful and thorough discographer, but the quality of his prose narrative is such that one could just as easily enjoy reading the biographical interludes alone for a seamless account of Jimmy Dorsey's life and career.

The Mississippi Rag

...a book for the collection...an outstanding piece of research...a surplus of information about the personnel and their instruments...

Jazzwise

In all, reading all this material is somewhat like reading a diary; and about the only thing missing is the daily weather reports. This is a stimulating way of learning about Jimmy Dorsey while also having access to a rich discographical resource.

Jazz Educators Journal

An impressively comprehensive collection that lists every recording on which the influential Big Band musician, orchestra leader, and composer is believed to have played or have been present, spanning from the late 1930s to the 1950s...The author intersperses brief biographical notations throughout the text, which at times point out the personality, business drive, and musicianship contrasts between Dorsey and his brother Tommy.

Reference and Research Book News

...this chronological account of Jimmy's work is highly readable, and will also interest Dorsey's fans whose prime interest isn't the minutiae of his recordings.

Past Times

Easy to find anything you might be looking for in this informative tome...Bob Stockdale has done it again—bigger and better!

The IAJRC Journal

...a book for the collection...an outstanding piece of research...a surplus of information about the personnel and their instruments...--Jazzwise

Stockdale is a very careful and thorough discographer, but the quality of his prose narrative is such that one could just as easily enjoy reading the biographical interludes alone for a seamless account of Jimmy Dorsey's life and career.--The Mississippi Rag

...this chronological account of Jimmy's work is highly readable, and will also interest Dorsey's fans whose prime interest isn't the minutiae of his recordings.--Past Times

From the Publisher

Easy to find anything you might be looking for in this informative tome...Bob Stockdale has done it again—bigger and better!

IARJC

Easy to find anything you might be looking for in this informative tome...Bob Stockdale has done it again—bigger and better!

Iajrc

An impressively comprehensive collection that lists every recording on which the influential Big Band musician, orchestra leader, and composer is believed to have played or have been present, spanning from the late 1930s to the 1950s. Each listing contains information about the studio, city, date of the session, name of the recording group, its personnel and their instruments, plus the matrix number, song title, vocalist, and all the world wide releases known to exist. The author intersperses brief biographical notations throughout the text, which at times point out the personality, business drive, and musicianship contrasts between Dorsey and his brother Tommy. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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