Uncrowned Community Builders

Willie James Dorsey was a noted musician and music teacher in Buffalo. He was a native Buffalonian, who was a 1950 graduate of Fosdick-Masten Park High School. He was one of six African American students who broke the color barrier at Fredonia State Teachers College when he enrolled in that school in September of 1950. An article in the Fredonia Censor newspaper that year declared that Mr. Dorsey was the most talented freshman to enter the college in 10 years, noting that he gave a recital on six instruments and sang in bass, baritone and tenor ranges.
Mr. Dorsey began playing bass, piano and trombone as a youngster and performed a Buffalo's Colored musicians Club while still in high school. He served on the club's board of directors for many years and was featured in a television documentary about the club.
An admirer of Duke Ellington, he used Ellington as an inspiration for the Last Word Jazz Researchers Big Band of which he was the founding director. His group is continuing to perform, most recently being scheduled to perform in the M& T Plaza Event Summer Series of 2011. Dorsey also played with many of the area's leading ensembles, including the CQ Price Band, the Buffalo Bills Band, the Orchard Park Symphony and the Cecil Johnson Orchestral.
A member of Lincoln memorial United Methodist church since 1940, he was its choir director and organist for more than 30 years. At one time, he also directed the Johnson Male Chorus, the Delaine Waring AME church Choir and the Suburban Serenaders.
Mr. Dorsey earned his Bachelor degree in Music in 1954. He studied at the University of Tokyo, the University at Buffalo and Eastman School of Music. He served in the Air Force as a member of the Air Force Band. After completing his military service, he taught and led bands and choruses in the Buffalo schools, first at School 37, then at Riverside High School, Lafayette High School, South park High School and East High School. He retired from the school system after a 30-year teaching career. Following his retirement, Mr. Dorsey and his wife, Cynthia Marie Wilhite Dorsey, owned and operated W & C Enterprises; which sold herbal products and African items at summer fairs and festivals.
Mr. Dorsey was active in community affairs and the civil rights movement. He was vice chairman of the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Trust and helped organize celebrations of the Dr. King Birthday holiday and other public events. He received numerous music and service awards.
Mr. Dorsey was the father of three sons Kevin J., John L. Wilson and Anthony M. Washington; two daughters, Dara J. and Holly J. Pasquale and three stepsons Marin A. White, Richard A. Tyree and Lawrence J. Payton. Mr. Dorsey was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery.