Jimmy Dorsey was an American songwriter, composer, and jazz clarinet and saxophone player. He played in a duo with his brother Tommy Dorsey and then went on to lead his own orchestra and record various hits such as "Green Eyes" and "Tangerine." While he was widely renowned for his skillful playing of the clarinet and alto saxophone, it was his singing and vocalizing on those same instruments that sets him apart from his contemporaries.

One skill that made Jimmy Dorsey's singing unique was his ability to craft a seamless blend of melody and harmony. This is best heard in his clarinet solos where he plays intricately around the melody while adding deep-toned harmony. To learn from Jimmy's technique, it's worth following these four tips that will help you improve your singing and playing:

• Breath Support: Practice exercises that improve your breath support such as this routine from Singing Carrots.
• Emoting: Make sure to vocalize with feeling and think about the emotion that you want to convey. This will help you connect with the audience and bring life to your playing.
• Sing as You Play: This involves playing notes on an instrument while simultaneously vocalizing them. Check out how this exercise is done here on Singing Carrots' Vocal Pitch Monitor tool.
• Range and Agility: To improve your singing range and agility, consider trying exercises and warm-ups from Singing Carrots' Pitch Training program.

To become proficient in playing and singing like Jimmy Dorsey, it's also essential to learn some specific songs that capture his signature style and vocal qualities. Here are five of his most recognizable tracks and their appeal:

1. Green Eyes: This track was one of Jimmy Dorsey's most successful songs, and it showcases his broad range and use of vocal harmonies.
2. Tangerine: This track's saxophone solo is one of Jimmy's finest. It is a great example of his ability to take a standard melody and bring it to life with his harmonies.
3. Stardust: In this ballad, Jimmy's clarinet playing leaves a lasting impression. It features some melodic lines that will help you improve your playing skills.
4. So Rare: This classic track showcases Jimmy's smooth vocalizing and his ability to use his clarinet to create a harmonious and laid-back sound.
5. Breezin' Along with the Breeze: This swinging tune shows off Jimmy's ability to harmonize vocals with his clarinet.

In summary, to learn to play and sing like Jimmy Dorsey, you need to practice techniques such as breath support, emoting, singing while playing and improving your range and agility. Check out the songs mentioned above to gain a better understanding of his style, and use Singing Carrots' range of resources to hone your skills and take your singing and playing to the next level.