Published: November 11, 2009 10:37 am      

Orchestra performance slated

The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and the Pied Pipers are scheduled to perform a Christmas concert in Pauls Valley at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10 at the Pauls Valley High School auditorium.

“This will truly be a holiday concert with a big band flare,” said Kevin Stark, president of the Pauls Valley Arts Council, the sponsoring entity of the concert.

The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra is one of the most popular big band orchestras currently touring the country.

Dorsey’s musical training began when he was a young boy in Pennsylvania. Along with his brother Tommy, he 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 1930s 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 1930s, but as the 1940s 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.

In 1953 the Dorsey brothers joined forces, but with the untimely death of Tommy in 1956, Jimmy again operated as a solo act.

The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra has continued successfully for decades and is still in great demand all over the world.

For ticket information or to reserve tickets by phone, call the Pauls Valley Chamber of Commerce at (405) 238-6491. Tickets may be purchased at the chamber office or at the Elmore City branch of Pauls Valley National Bank.