Biography
Described by Duke Ellington as “not only the world’s greatest drummer...(but also) the world’s greatest musician,” Louie Bellson had expressed himself on drums since age three. At 15, he pioneered the double bass drum set-up. At 17, he triumphed over 40,000 drummers to win the Gene Krupa drumming contest.
He performed on more than 200 albums with such greats as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Woody Herman, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Louie Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, James Brown, Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Joe Williams, Wayne Newton and Bellson’s late wife Pearl Bailey.
In 1942, he performed with the Benny Goodman band and Peggy Lee in “The Power Girl”. In 1943 “The Gang’s All Here” and “Stage Door Canteen”. Louie was 24 and a veteran of the U.S. Army Band when he joined Danny Kaye, Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey, Lionel Hampton, Charlie Barnett, Benny Carter, Mel Powell, Benny Goodman and others in “A Song Is Born” (1948). He served as musical director for his late wife Pearl Bailey’s concerts and TV show.
Louie Bellson replaced Sonny Greer in the Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1951. He left in 1953 returning in 1956 and once more from 1965-66. His contributions to the Ellington repertoire include
Skin Deep and
The Hawk Talks. He also performed with Ellington on the classic
Concerts of Sacred Music; on the stage production
My People; and on the movie soundtrack of
Assault on A Queen.
In 1966, Bellson toured briefly with both Count Basie and ex-boss Harry James. He served as musical director for his late wife both on her TV show, ABC’s
The Pearl Bailey Show, and on the numerous tours they performed together.
As a prolific creator of music, both written and improvised, his more than 1,000 compositions and arrangements embrace jazz, swing, romantic orchestral suites, symphonic works and ballet. As an author, he has published more than a dozen books on drums and percussion.
He received the prestigious American Jazz Masters Award from the
National Endowment for the Arts in 1994. Also, he is a six-time Grammy nominee.
In 1998, Louie Bellson was hailed (along with Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones and Max Roach) as one of four “Living Legends of Music” when he received the
American Drummers Achievement Award from the Zildjian Company.
Bellson holds four honorary doctorates, the latest from DePaul University in 2001. In 2003, a historical land-marker was dedicated at his July 6, 1924 birth house in Rock Falls, Illinois, thus inaugurating their
annual celebration in his honor.
The 2006 CD release of “The Sacred Music of Louie Bellson and the Jazz Ballet” (big band, symphony and choir) amply showcased his mastery and breadth as both composer and performer. This “magnum opus” is well attested to by the highest accolades of colleagues Tony Bennett, Della Reese, Dave Brubeck, Lalo Schifrin, and others.
CDBaby
In March 2007, Bellson and 35 other jazz greats received the
Living Jazz Legends Award from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. In June 2007, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers inducted Bellson as a Living Legend in the
ASCAP Jazz Wall of Fame ceremony, Jazz at the Lincoln Center, New York City.
His last CD which he composed and performed, was with longtime friend trumpeter Clark Terry, "LOUIE & CLARK EXPEDITION 2" (big band).
CDBaby or
Amazon. Produced by his wife on Bellson's Percussion Power label, this CD was released in early 2008 to critical acclaim. (see
Press Reviews)
At age 84, Bellson passed away Feb 2009 in Los Angeles from complications of Parkinson’s disease. Survived by his manager-wife of 16 years, Francine, he was buried in Moline, Illinois, his boyhood home.
In March, 2009, Illinois State Rep. Mike Boland passed a Resolution (
HR0169) to honor Louie Bellson's memory in the Illinois House of Representatives. In Oct 2009, U.S. Congresswoman Diane Watson (D-L.A.) also sponsored a Resolution.
In May, 2010, a memorial headstone was unveiled and dedicated at his Moline, Illinois gravesite. It was designed by his widow whose purpose was to provide a place not only for Americans, but for citizens of the World to pay respects, express pride in our heritage, reflect, and be inspired to live a life of excellence and humility.
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Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program
Comprehensive (3-day, 108-page) interview of Louie Bellson from the Archives Center, National Museum of American History. (Oct, 2005)
<--- Click logo for full transcript.
To hear audio clips of these interviews, click pic --->
Page down to Bellson (5th artist on list).
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Q-C Slideshow Tribute
"Louie Bellson: Hometown Hero"
Slideshow chronicling Illinois native son Louie Bellson's presence in the Q-C area.
Produced by Todd Mizener, The Dispatch Argus (Moline/Rock Island, IL) archives.
Set to the music "Skin Deep" composed & performed by Louie Bellson.
To view, click Q-C Online or click photo --->
(7:53 min)
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Honorary Doctorates
2001 - DePaul University, Chicago, IL
1996 - Augustana College, Rock Island, IL
1995 - Denison University, Granville, OH
1985 - Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
- Bellson Name Scholarships
USC Thornton School of Music, Los Angeles, CA
Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA
(Know someone who might be eligible? For more info,
go to Contact and page down to "Scholarship Fund".)
Posthumous Honors
Bellson Monument Dedicated
Lovingly designed by Mrs. B, the Louie Bellson memorial headstone was officially dedicated in an inspirational ceremony held at Riverside Cemetery in Moline, Illinois.
<-- Click pic for Q-C Times newspaper article,
or see
News page (May 20) for photos. _______________________________________________________________
Louie Bellson noted at Grammy Awards
Six-time Grammy nominee Bellson was noted at the
(CBS-televised) 2010 Grammy Awards Program. See
News page (Jan 31). _______________________________________________________________
U.S. Congressional Honor
Louie Bellson was honored posthumously with a memorial certificate of recognition from the office of U.S. Congresswoman Diane Watson of the 33rd Cong. District, Los Angeles. For details, go to
News page. (10/4/09) _______________________________________________________________
Illinois Congressional Resolution
Louie Bellson was honored in his home state with a memorial Resolution sponsored by State Rep. Mike Boland of the 71st District (Moline). It was adopted in the Illinois General Assembly by voice vote on 3/11/09.
<----- For document text, click state seal logo,
HR0169, or
News page (3/13/09). _______________________________________________________________
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BELLSON SITE-SEEING AROUND THE WORLD
Displays, Exhibits, Artifacts
(How many have you visited?)
Davenport, IADisplay at the "River Music Experience Center for American Roots Music," a museum of Blues, Rock-n-roll, Jazz, Gospel, etc. (Grand Opening: 6/04)
Sterling, ILExhibit including display of 2003 postal cancellation stamp bearing his name and image. Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society Museum.
Rock Falls, ILHistorical marker installed in front of Bellson’s birth house on 8th Avenue by the Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce. (Street signs direct visitors to site.)
Grand Rapids, MIVideoclip, performing at the White House for Anwar Sadat, president of Egypt; with Pearl Bailey and Tony Bennett. Pres. Gerald R. Ford Museum.
Norwell, MADisplay of his full double-bass drumset, including limited edition14k gold
snare drum that Remo, Inc. issued for Bellson’s 75th birthday in 1999.
Also, extensive archival photo display in Wall of Fame. Avedis Zildjian Co.
Davenport, IAHonoree in display case, aboard the Rhythm City Casino Riverboat. Pier.
San Jose, CAHonoree in display case, incl. 14k gold snare drum. The Musicians Warehouse.
Moline, ILDisplay in Alumni Hall of Honor showcase and star on Walk of Fame. Moline High School (Class of ’42).
Moline, ILGravesite Monument at Riverside Cemetery
(designed by Mrs. Bellson, 2009).
Tulsa, OKDisplay, 1998 Living Legend Inductee. Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame,
Greenwood Cultural Center, 322 N. Greenwood Avenue.
Rock Island, ILHands & drumstick impression in cement displayed in Arts Alley, downtown.
Hollywood, CAHands impression in cement on Hollywood’s RockWalk of Fame.
Berne, SwitzerlandThe Louie Bellson Suite hotel room decorated with extensive memorabilia. (Other suites honor Milt Hinton, Clark Terry, Lionel Hampton, etc.) Hotel Innere Inge.
Washington, DCPart of the Duke Ellington Exhibit at the Smithsonian Institute.
New York, NYLarge photo on stairway to upper balcony. The Apollo Theater, Harlem.
______________________________________________________________ Know of other Bellson displays worthy of note? Write Mrs. B. at bellson_1@att.net.
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Louie Bellson chronicles his own early career in this lively video interview documented by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Oral History Program. (date: 1/19/03 duration: 4:40)
