The Tommy Dorsey Orchestras Still Swinging 
Elizabeth Sippl

The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, conducted by Buddy Morrow, entertained before an almost sold-out crowd in the LSSU Arts Center on September 16.  The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, which plays mainly big band music, was first formed in 1935 and performed for 11 years, breaking up in 1946.  They reunited in 1947 and have been entertaining audiences throughout the United States ever since.  
The audience at LSSU included people of all ages, though it predominantly consisted of senior citizens.  It was quite an exciting night for most people in attendance, as evidenced by the overwhelming enthusiasm of the audience, such as when the welcome greeting, which reminds patrons to turn off cell phones, received a round of applause.  That high level of excitement did not waver throughout the evening as Morrow kept the band hopping, playing some of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestras biggest hits.
The band was joined onstage by singer Rob Zappulla, who has toured with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra since 2001.   Zappulla gave voice to crowd favorites such as On the Sunny Side of the Street and Ill Never Smile Again, which, according to the singer, took Sinatra and Tommy Dorsey to the top of the charts in 1940.  The band also played a number of instrumental songs including Song of India and Night Train, being the clear favorites. The song  Night Train was not a Tommy Dorsey hit; rather, Buddy Morrow recorded the song in the 1950s with his band, the Buddy Morrow Orchestra, after hearing an early version of it one night in Detroit.  After several years, the Buddy Morrow Orchestra disbanded and Morrow took over as conductor of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra during the 70s.  Morrow is one of two remaining members of the original Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and despite his age (87), does not show any signs of slowing down.



	
