Meet Us
David Pruyn
Director
David comes to his position as leader of The Fabulous Jimmy Dorsey OrchestraTM from a lifetime in music. The son of professional musicians and a New Orleans, LA. native, began his career at the age of 11 as a circus drummer working for his bandleader Dad. Then followed the path of his hero, Harry James as David became smitten with the trumpet a few years later. After honing his drum and trumpet chops in the demanding repertoire of the circus, David branched out in to Big Band, Jazz and show facets of the music business, eventually studying arranging, orchestration and conducting. Then in 1994, by a confluence of accident and necessity, he discovered the joys of singing. Soon after his colleagues were struck by the similarity of his vocal timbre and phrasing to that of the great Mel Torme and he became a protégé of the renowned Broadway vocal coach, Fred Silver. Along the way David has played 1st trumpet, drums and/or sung for the Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Les Brown Bands and others.
David considers it his great good fortune to have trained “on the job” with his parents as his Dad, Bill was a Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra sideman in the late 1940’s and his Mother, Lee who truly graced the worlds of the trumpet and piano. In addition David has worked with Doc Severinson, Bobby Shew. Byron Stripling, Carl Saunders, Bill Watrous, Dave Steinmeyer, Buddy Morrow, Nick Brignola, Mike Brignola, Chick Corea, Dick Hyman, Mike Renzi, Vincent Falcone, Bob Florence, Eddie Higgins, Ray Brown, John Clayton, Jaco Pastorious, Ed Shaughnessy, Grady Tate, Bob Rossengarden and singers Mel Torme, Jack Jones, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Steve Lawrence, Dick Haymes, Al Jarreau, Rosemary Clooney, Eydie Gorme, The Pied Pipers, The Manhattan Transfer and an old hometown buddy by the name of Harry Connick, Jr.
In David’s own words: In accepting the mantle of this storied and renowned musical institution, the Jimmy Dorsey OrchestraTM, I wish to acknowledge the sense of honor in which it brings me. My Dad being one of Jimmy Dorsey’s trumpet players always told me from the time I was old enough to understand, that Jimmy Dorsey was not only a virtuoso but the nicest man he had ever worked for. Being chosen to continue this amazing adventure is with a grateful heart and as leader of the Jimmy Dorsey OrchestraTM, I’ll continue to create the perfect template for involving the audience in the presentation of the program while maintaining Jimmy Dorsey’s high standards of musicianship.
My job is to continue that ideal!
Michele James-Pruyn
Featured Vocalist
Continues the legendary class and style as the featured vocalist with The Fabulous Jimmy Dorsey OrchestraTM. Michele’s wonderfully varied career began at the age of 15 and has taken her to venues all over the United States including the White House, Disney World as a member of the well known acapella vocal group, “The Voices of Liberty.”
Michele’s soothing voice, uplifting flair and wide ranging vocal flights have had audiences and industry professionals taking notice of her dynamic talent and mastery of styles. Her prodigious accomplishments in the field of Opera (her first love as a young girl) to multiple leading roles in musical theatre, Michele has broadened her musical horizons since graduating from the prestigious Stetson School of Music.
Michele has also appeared as featured soloist with the Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James Orchestras, as well as a member of the Town Criers, vocal group alongside of Bill Tole and the Jimmy Dorsey OrchestraTM. She has also toured Internationally with the most recent tour being New Zealand and Hawaii. In addition to her extensive experiences as a Big Band singer, Michele has also achieved acclaim for her productions of “To Rose, With Love” a journey through the wonderful musical world of the great, Rosemary Clooney and “Yesterday Once More” an homage to beloved pop star, Karen Carpenter.
Michele has stated, “To have the opportunity to follow some of the great vocalist’s for the Fabulous Jimmy Dorsey OrchestraTM is really a dream come true. I remember my Mom loving, ‘Green Eyes’ sung by, Helen O’Connell who was known as the quintessential Big Band singer of the day. I’m thrilled to know that little girls DREAM’S do come true, as I am now stepping on the stage in the same role as the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra’s original songbird, singing her first big hit, ‘Amapola’, continuing with the Internationally known, ‘Tangerine’ – and so many other great standards!”
“This opportunity emphasizes my great love of the music and the legendary performers of the ‘Great American Song Book from the Swing Era’. I sincerely look forward to meeting and performing for all the friends and fans of the Fabulous Jimmy Dorsey OrchestraTM both here and abroad.
Nancy Knorr
Nancy is the proud owner of the legendary Trademark/s:
The Jimmy Dorsey OrchestraTM
& The Pied PipersTM
A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Nancy was fortunate in that as a child she was exposed to some of the finest music in the country. She’s from a family of musicians who have performed with all of the “Big Bands” and musical greats that made American history with their music.
At the young age of 12, Nancy was with the world renowned Pittsburgh Youth Orchestra. As a classically trained violist, she attended West Virginia University School of Music and continued in education and performance at St. Louis University.
Nancy performed with the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra and many other chamber groups over the years. She has been featured on studio work as an instrumentalist and as a vocalist on recordings, commercials, voice-overs and in the fashion industry Nancy, as well.
In addition to her varied achievements, Nancy has had a noted singing career performing throughout the country with artists and luminaries of the American Music Industry. Her talents have complimented the Jimmy Dorsey OrchestraTM for three (3) decades as their featured vocalist, occasional engagements with Tex Beneke, Nelson Riddle, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra the Glenn Miller Orchestra’s, The Clambake Seven, and many others.
Nancy has performed and shared the stage with Frank Sinatra, Toni Tennile, Jack Jones, Shirley Jones, Hal Linden, Doc Severinsen, Bobby Rydell, The Four Aces, The Lettermen and the Manhattan Transfer, just to name a few that are still performing our great America’s Hits. Nancy was also featured on a PBS Television Special with The Pied PipersTM entitled, “Those Fabulous Forties”.
Nancy’s incredible talent as a soloist and her love of close harmony as a group singer is evident in the success of the American Vocal Legends, “The Pied PipersTM” where she has been the lead singer since 1983. The Pied PipersTM have continued to be the premier Vocal Group in the country today and inducted into the “Vocal Group Hall of Fame” in 2001
Nancy has continued her successful business and musical career creating Productions in the elegance and style of the 1940’s ‘Great American Songbook’. These Productions feature the Jimmy Dorsey OrchestraTM conducted by: David Pruyn, vocalist Michele James Pruyn and the legendary vocal group, The Pied PipersTM featuring Nancy Knorr.
Our MerchandiseView our various CD’s and other merchandise for purchase.