The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra

Jimmy Dorsey's musical training began when he was a young boy in Pennsylvania.† Along with his brother Tommy, the talented young musicians joined Paul Whiteman's Orchestra and at the same time they were recording many records under the billing "The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra".† Their band continued through the early thirties until a dispute over a tempo of a song separated the brothers for decades.

Jimmy found himself an instant leader of the band that became the birth of the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra.† His records sold well in the late thirties, but as the forties got under way it was apparent that his momentum was increasing.† With hits like "Amapola" and "Green Eyes" featuring Helen O'Connell, the band jumped to the top of the charts making Jimmy the biggest success story of the year.† Other hit selling records and a series of motion pictures followed, establishing him firmly on top.

Helen played an important part of the band's success, both on records and in personal appearances.† Her hits "I Remember You", "Tangerine" and others more took her to the top of the charts as well. During the early fifties Jimmy was still a successful name in the business.† Even with all of his success, he joined forces with his brother Tommy in 1953 to become the greatest band of all time!

With the untimely death of Tommy in 1956, Jimmy once again was left to carry on, but only for a short time as his own health was failing rapidly.† In 1957 he left us with his last and greatest hit "So Rare" which topped the nation's popularity charts.

The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra has continued successfully for decades and is still in great demand all over the world. The success of the Orchestra in the 60’s. 70’s and 80’s was due to the leadership of Lee Castle and more recently from 1990 through the new millennium, Jim Miller. The leadership has now passed to Bill Tole who continues to bring joy to young and the "young at heart" as they enjoy the sounds of American Music – our history.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Bill comes from a musical family. His parent's influence helped him develop an appreciation and love for the art. His father was a high school band director, a professional trombonist and pianist. His mother was a pianist, singer, accompanist as well as a music teacher for children with special needs. Bill is a lecturer throughout the United States and has taught master classes in Great Britain and Europe and as a featured soloist, he has performed on tours in Australia, New Zealand and Japan. He continues his musical credentials as the leader of the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. The combined energy of the band with Bill's sweet, smooth, sentimental style will take the listening audience from the 1940's right through the decades to the present day.

Nancy Knorr, featured vocalist is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was fortunate in that as a child she was exposed to some of the finest music in the country. She's from a family of musicians who have performed with all of the "Big Bands" and musical greats. Her background has been of classical training as a violist; and at the young age of 12, was with the world renowned Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra. She attended West Virginia University School of Music and continued her education and performance at St. Louis University.

To learn more about Bill Tole and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra visit their website… www.jimmydorseyorchestra.com.