What was Tommy Dorsey’s exact set up?
- Supermanalito
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Dec 08, 2021
Title has the question, but a fellow in my big band (trumpet player) likes to put together historical instruments. His next project he wants to put together is a historically accurate set up of the trombone Tommy played. I think he famously played on a 2b and in looking at old videos, it appears it’s gold plated?!?! Is that right? Or is the color distorted in those older videos? I also have heard he played on a smaller hard to find mouthpiece, but I don’t remember what kind. I know there are some of you trombone history buffs out there that can lend some accurate information to my foggy memory. Let me know :).
- Vegasbound
- Posts: 1328
- Joined: Jul 06, 2019
TD used an Almont mouthpiece made from sterling silver, Greg black reproduces a version
His horn was custom made, friction fit,no slide lock with a trumpet style water key (as in the Jiggs model) TD liked his horns to be light, so not really a 2b, yes they where gold plated and heavily engraved.
His horn was custom made, friction fit,no slide lock with a trumpet style water key (as in the Jiggs model) TD liked his horns to be light, so not really a 2b, yes they where gold plated and heavily engraved.
- officermayo
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Jun 09, 2021
[quote="Vegasbound"]TD used an Almont mouthpiece made from sterling silver, Greg black reproduces a version
His horn was custom made, friction fit,no slide lock with a trumpet style water key (as in the Jiggs model) TD liked his horns to be light, so not really a 2b, yes they where gold plated and heavily engraved.[/quote]
His horn was custom made, friction fit,no slide lock with a trumpet style water key (as in the Jiggs model) TD liked his horns to be light, so not really a 2b, yes they where gold plated and heavily engraved.[/quote]
- Vegasbound
- Posts: 1328
- Joined: Jul 06, 2019
I have seen those pics before, but look at any photo of TD where you get a good look at his horn and it’s friction fit no slide lock
- ithinknot
- Posts: 1339
- Joined: Jul 24, 2020
[quote="Vegasbound"]I have seen those pics before, but look at any photo of TD where you get a good look at his horn and it’s friction fit no slide lock[/quote]
They probably made him dozens of horns over the years. From photos and videos, oversleeves and[url=https://static-musique.qub.ca/images/artists/covers/large/16841de21c482cbd68b1e6a39e2a8798.jpg]even the occasional slide lock come and go. I've never seen a photo with the Jiggs/trumpet water key, only the standard one, but I don't doubt that it happened at some point.
They probably made him dozens of horns over the years. From photos and videos, oversleeves and
![[url=https://static-musique.qub.ca/images/artists/covers/large/16841de21c482cbd68b1e6a39e2a8798.jpg]even the occasional slide lock](https://static-musique.qub.ca/images/artists/covers/large/16841de21c482cbd68b1e6a39e2a8798.jpg){kind=link}
- officermayo
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Jun 09, 2021
[quote="ithinknot"]<QUOTE author="Vegasbound" post_id="194973" time="1669842877" user_id="7093">
I have seen those pics before, but look at any photo of TD where you get a good look at his horn and it’s friction fit no slide lock[/quote]
They probably made him dozens of horns over the years. From photos and videos, oversleeves and[url=https://static-musique.qub.ca/images/artists/covers/large/16841de21c482cbd68b1e6a39e2a8798.jpg]even the occasional slide lock come and go. I've never seen a photo with the Jiggs/trumpet water key, only the standard one, but I don't doubt that it happened at some point.
</QUOTE>
TD had King make a bunch of horns. He'd use them a while and then give them away. There's no telling how many Kings he got over the years.
I have seen those pics before, but look at any photo of TD where you get a good look at his horn and it’s friction fit no slide lock[/quote]
They probably made him dozens of horns over the years. From photos and videos, oversleeves and
</QUOTE>
TD had King make a bunch of horns. He'd use them a while and then give them away. There's no telling how many Kings he got over the years.
- dxhall
- Posts: 156
- Joined: Sep 14, 2018
Legend has it that one of Tommy’s horns was stomped flat by Jimmy during an on-stage argument.
- Posaunus
- Posts: 5018
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
[quote="dxhall"]Legend has it that one of Tommy’s horns was stomped flat by Jimmy during an on-stage argument.[/quote]
The Dorseys were never known as mild-mannered angels, were they?
Wish I'd grilled Sammy Nestico more when I spent time with him several years ago. He always told good tales!
The Dorseys were never known as mild-mannered angels, were they?
Wish I'd grilled Sammy Nestico more when I spent time with him several years ago. He always told good tales!
- Macbone1
- Posts: 501
- Joined: Oct 01, 2019
[quote="dxhall"]Legend has it that one of Tommy’s horns was stomped flat by Jimmy during an on-stage argument.[/quote]
Not surprised. I wouldn't doubt that a nip or 4 of Irish or Scotch "lubricant" helped that to occur. I also heard that Tommy had a King coffin case fitted out to carry several spare slides on the road (perhaps right after this incident?)
Not surprised. I wouldn't doubt that a nip or 4 of Irish or Scotch "lubricant" helped that to occur. I also heard that Tommy had a King coffin case fitted out to carry several spare slides on the road (perhaps right after this incident?)
- Macbone1
- Posts: 501
- Joined: Oct 01, 2019
[quote="officermayo"]<QUOTE author="Vegasbound" post_id="194913" time="1669792762" user_id="7093">
TD used an Almont mouthpiece made from sterling silver, Greg black reproduces a version[/quote]
Quite a tiny mouthpiece too, if memory serves. Worked well for Tommy, a former cornet player, and it helped on those long gigs with all that high register playing.</QUOTE>
TD used an Almont mouthpiece made from sterling silver, Greg black reproduces a version[/quote]
Quite a tiny mouthpiece too, if memory serves. Worked well for Tommy, a former cornet player, and it helped on those long gigs with all that high register playing.</QUOTE>