[Trombone-l] (no subject)

[mhaindl@comcast.net]

The book preseents an interesting picture of the big band business at that time. It portrays TD not only as an excellent musician and very temperamental personality, but also as a very astute businessman by always searching out and hiring the best musicians singers and arrangers, and looking for the best paying venues.  He also had quite a few escapades with some of his girls singers, driving to gigs in a fancy auto while the band guys traveled by bus. As was ponted out he could be very compassionate and generous, but when it came to business he could be quite a taskmaster and insisted on high standards of performance and behavior. He would often have parties in his mansion in NJ and invite and treat everyone to a great time. 
He apparently had a real appreciation for jazz bone players (although he can not be classified as such) and apparently went to hear Jack Teagarden on numerous occasions sitting in the back as though he wanted to avoid to be seen. 
He may have made a mistake by putting Elvis Presley on his TV show when TD was on with Jackie Gleason. I think it was about 1955 or 56, because Rock'n Roll really took off, and probably contibuted to the decline of Big Bands. 
Interestingly enough when Mrs. Dorsey was auditioning bone players to head up the band after TD's death, Bill Watrous was apparently turned down, because he would not play the whole of "Getting Sentimental..." According to the book Bill told Mrs. D that what he played should be adequate o her to make a decision. I guess Bill W. had enough work lined up to keep him busy. 

The book is enjoyable reading with a lot of detail, and lots of sideline stories in the fine print.