[Dixielandjazz] T.D. (not really a jazz person)

[Bill Haesler]

Dear Al,
You say that the date for your two TD stories was circa 1952.
I suppose that as an old bandleader at 49 Tommy was allowed to be a 
curmudgeon.
When Bud Freeman came to Australia in 1964 and again in 1975-76 I was 
privileged to have been involved with both visits and each time we were 
regaled with first-hand stories, some regarding his days with both the 
Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman orchs.
As I recall, Bud never had a bad word to say about Tommy, other than 
that he was fiery and tough. They were old mates and Bud said that his 
stay with Dorsey (April 1936 to March 1938) was among the happiest in 
his musical career.
You can tell this from his swinging solos.
However, others in the band thought Bud was old-fashioned; but Tommy 
kept him on because of the solos.
At the urging of Jess Stacy and Dave Tough, Bud reluctantly left Dorsey 
to join the Benny Goodman orch (March 1938 to November 1938). He hated 
it - and BG. More great stories, but too many to recall.
I should have written them down!
Bud told some of them later in his little 1989 book 'Crazeology' [pages 
41-45].
More stories can be found in Bud's other two books: 'You Don't look 
Like a Musician' (1974) and 'If You Know A Better Life - Please Tell 
Me'. (Date unknown, but written when he lived in Ireland during the 
70s.)
When Bud left Goodman, he vowed that he would never work in a big band 
ever again. And didn't.
All of which backs up Bob Ringwald and others; opinions of bandleaders 
vary depending on the personal circumstances.
Kind regards,
Bill.
PS: How the heck did (not really a jazz person) get into the subject 
heading?