By Bart Greenberg***Who better to pay tribute to the lives and music of the incredibly talented (and notoriously combative) Dorsey Brothers—Tommy and Jimmy—than the very talented (and seemingly far more sociable) Anderson Brothers—Will and Peter. Continuing in their series of tributes to musicians and composers at Symphony Space, NYC, on November 6, 2021, for two performances, the brothers, with an outstanding group of musicians in support, offered their usual mix of fine live music, biographical notes and rare video clips.
Beginning in the mid-1930s and running to the end of the big band era, the Dorsey Brothers were two of the most influential band leaders in the United States. Benny Goodman would work for them for two years as an arranger before striking out on his own. Bunny Berigan, Glenn Miller, Charlie Spivak and Jack Teagarden worked with one or other of the bands, and their vocalists ranged from Mildred Bailey to Johnny Mercer to a skinny kid from New Jersey—yes, Frank Sinatra—as he was just getting started. And later, on their joint television show, another skinny kid from Mississippi swiveled his hips for the first time on a national broadcast (between January 28 and March 24, 1956, Elvis Presley appeared on the Dorsey brothers’ show six Saturday nights).
Most of these people were featured in projected photographs and video clips shown throughout the evening. Other visuals including a hysterical dual appearance by the brothers on the classic game show, “What’s My Line,” with each playing kazoos in response to the baffled panel members. Also displayed were scenes from their biographical film in which the Dorseys played themselves, and other movies in which either one of them were featuring as musical performers. These were all smoothly introduced by Will Anderson in his unassuming and informative manner. He is indeed an admirable tour guide for their shows.
Some of the delightful selections featured during the program included such trademark melodies as “Song of India,” “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You” and a joyous “I Got Rhythm.” Also delivered with the same confidence were such novelty numbers as “Oodles of Noodles” and “Polka Dots and Moonbeams.” Even when taking is easy on a slow version of “Swanee Rive,r” the sound remained bright and cheery. Throughout, the music was tossed back and forth between the players, as they reformed in various combinations to offer varied sounds and styles.
Of course, the Andersons were centrally featured throughout: Will on alto sax, baritone sax, clarinet and flute, and Peter on tenor sax, soprano sax and clarinet. The Julliard graduates are master musicians who imbue their music with non-verbal emotions as well as true collaboration. Joining in on the fun was Joe Boga on trumpet, Robert Edwards on trombone, Alex Raderman on drum set, Jeb Patton on piano and the legendary Vince Giordano on bass, tuba, bass sax and contributing an occasional vocal in his light, clear voice. He had a big moment to shine with “Swing That Music,” and far more than met expectations.
The Andersons will be returning to the venue on December 18 with A Jazzy Christmas with a whole new batch of selections for the holidays.
Tickets can be purchased via the brothers’ website, https://peterandwillanderson.com or via Symphony Space at https://www.symphonyspace.org.
Symphone Space is located at 2537 Broadway at 95th St, NYC.
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