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BUDDY
MORROW, conductor of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, is recognized
as one of the all-time great trombone players. He first came to
prominence as a featured performer with such leading orchestras
as Tommy Dorsey, Paul Whiteman, Artie Shaw and Jimmy Dorsey. His
outstanding musicianship has been evident through the years, not
only in the world of Big Bands, but also as a featured artist
with symphonies as well as jazz groups. Buddy was also in demand
for the recording industry and active as a staff musician and
leader with many of the major radio and television shows.
Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Buddy's future as a musician was
virtually predestined. Several generations of his family had played
in leading orchestras all over Europe. By the time he was thirteen,
he was playing with local dance bands, and at fifteen he joined
the Yale Collegians and toured the East Coast playing college
dances and parties. Buddy often sat in at the various jam sessions
at the famous Hickory House in New York City, where he played
with well-known musicians like Harry James, Buddy Rich and Bunny
Berrigan. Artie Shaw was one who heard Buddy and advised him to
move to New York. Buddy did, Artie introduced him to various contractors
around town, and Buddy's career was off and running. Shortly after
that, Buddy auditioned at the prestigious Juilliard School of
Music and received a full scholarship. He joined the Eddy Duchin
Orchestra and stayed until Artie Shaw called him for his newly
formed orchestra. When he left Shaw, it was back to New York again.
There soon came a call from Tommy Dorsey, and Buddy joined his
Orchestra, forming a friendship that lasted over the years. After
that stint, he joined Paul Whiteman and the Chesterfield Radio
Show. Next came the Bob Crosby Orchestra and a move to California,
where Buddy lived for about a year. Then it was a hitch in the
Navy. When he came home, he joined the Jimmy Dorsey Band and got
his first taste as an orchestra leader when Jimmy took sick and
asked him to fill in.
Through the years, Buddy Morrow had become so highly regarded
in the music world that RCA Victor signed him to form an orchestra
and record under his own name. Buddy began experimenting with
style and instrumentation and took the band out on the road. One
night in Detroit, Buddy came across an exciting rhythm and blues
number and insisted that the band record it. The song was "Night
Train", and it became a national sensation, selling over
a million copies. The Buddy Morrow Orchestra had established itself
as one of the biggest musical attractions on the road, setting
attendance records in leading ballrooms and theatres from coast
to coast.
Among Buddy's other hits are "One Mint Julep", "I
Don't Know", and "Hey, Mrs.Jones". Buddy's albums
include "Night Train", "Big Band Guitar",
"New Blues Scene", "Impact", "Campus
After Dark", and several albums in tribute to both Tommy
and Jimmy Dorsey.
Buddy has freelanced in the recording, radio and television industries,
was a staff musician at CBS, conducted the Jimmy Rogers Television
Show and on staff at NBC for years as a featured player on the
"Tonight Show".
Buddy Morrow, as conductor of the "The One and Only Tommy
Dorsey Orchestra", insists that the band retain the authentic
sound and style of the late Tommy Dorsey and still have the elasticity
to meet every musical situation. They play dances and jazz concerts,
both with the same high level of expertise.
The band's repertoire embraces not only the classics of the original
Dorsey Orchestra, but also the spectrum of popular music from
Dixieland, rhythm and blues and intricate ballads to progressive
jazz and contemporary tunes. Its library also has a nostalgic
representation of those familiar tunes of the 40's so irreplaceable
to the many who loved and still remember "Big Bands".
Buddy Morrow is one of the rare and original Big Band leaders
of today; a man whose skill on his horn is both an inspiration
to his band and a thrill to audiences wherever he appears. The
Tommy Dorsey Orchestra led by Buddy Morrow represents explosive
and swinging Big Band entertainment at its best.
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