Louie Bellson was interviewed as one of the first subjects of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Oral History Program. (1/19/03) (To watch 4:40 video, click photo)---> _______________________________________________________________
At the Movies w/ Louie Bellson
Get your popcorn or Drum Cookies and start clicking! Enjoy!
Louie Bellson on the Nat King Cole Show, 1957
_______________________________________________________________
Louie Bellson vs. Simon Phillips Drum Battle
Louie Bellson and Simon Phillips, circa 1980's
_______________________________________________________________
“Why Don’t You Do Right?”
Louie Bellson, Peggy Lee, Benny Goodman Band, Stage Door Canteen, 1943
From the 1943 film, Stage Door Canteen.
Notice Bellson’s fancy stick twirls over Goodman's shoulder (:20) at the beginning. (Pretty confident stuff for those "1-take and shoot" times, wouldn't you say?)
_______________________________________________________________
“The Louie Bellson Song”
Composed & performed by bassist Jay Leonhart, The Bass Lesson, 2003
Longtime Bellson friend bassist Jay Leonhart relates a confrontational incident at a society gig where the Louie Bellson Band was playing.
(Liked that? You should obtain the full DVD.)
The Bass Lesson - DVD Jay Leonhart's one man musical comedy as shown on PBS. Jay plays the bass and sings his songs. Click here to buy the DVD/CD thru CD Baby.com.
_______________________________________________________________
“Stealin’ Apples”
Louie Bellson, Benny Goodman, et. al., A Song Is Born, 1948
Watch clip from the 1948 film, A Song Is Born.
Bellson is playing drums in the background on "Stealin' Apples".
(Text by permission from JazzWax.com 9-10-07)
_______________________________________________________________
“All the Cats Join In”
Benny Goodman Band, Make Mine Music, circa 1944
Bellson provides the drumming with Benny Goodman & the Pied Pipers for this delightful clip from the Disney animated film Make Mine Music. Enjoy! (Animator: Fred Moore)
_______________________________________________________________
“Minnie's In the Money”
Louie Bellson with Benny Goodman Orchestra in The Gang's All Here (1943)
Dig Bellson, age 19, drumming behind Benny Goodman's "Minnie's in the Money" from The Gang's All Here, directed by Busby Berkeley (1943). Check the "LB" on the drums above the "BG". Dy-no-mite dancing!!
_______________________________________________________________
American Idol (well, sort of!)
QUESTION: What drummer was idolized by Louie Bellson?
ANSWER: Animal! Animal Super Drum Solo
Animal Interviewed by Kermit
_______________________________________________________________
Louie Bellson’s Drum Set
Slide Show set to: Louie Bellson's "The Hawk Talks"
Slideshow: One of Louie Bellson's current Remo drum sets. These photos were taken just prior to 2008 concert at "Louie Bellson Heritage Days" in Rock Falls, IL.
_______________________________________________________________
“Undecided”
Louie Bellson with Teddy Wilson Trio in Jazz at the Philharmonic, 1967
Teddy Wilson piano, Louie Bellson drums and Bob Cranshaw bass in a concert in London in 1967 as part of a Norman Granz "Jazz at the Philharmonic" performance.
_______________________________________________________________
“Everything’s Coming Up Roses” Drum Solo
Louie Bellson Big Band Explosion, Cork Jazz Festival, 1980
Louie Bellson & his Big Band Explosion from the Cork Jazz Festival 1980, play his solo from the Explosion album. Says the fan posting this video, "In terms of power and sheer stamina, Louie was the man!"
_______________________________________________________________
“Don’t Be That Way”
Louie Bellson with Benny Goodman Orchestra, 1985
Let's Dance - Don't Be That Way, Oct 7, 1985 at the New York Marriott Marquis.
Clarinet:Benny Goodman Piano:Dick Hyman Drums:Louis Bellson Bass:Bob Haggart Guitar:James Chirillo Tenor Sax:Ken Peplowski, Loren Schoenberg Alto Sax:Chuck Wilson, Jack Stuckey Baritone Sax:Danny Bank Trombone:Eddie Bert, Bobby Pring, Matt Finders Trumpet:Paul Cohen, Randy Sandke, John Eckert, Laurie Frink.
_______________________________________________________________
“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”
Louie Bellson on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, 1988
Says the fan who recorded this on his (1988?) Beta VCR, "I saw Louie perform about 14 years ago. He is so awesome!"
Although it's fuzzy because it wasn't in HI-Fi, see how many of the Tonight Show regulars you can make out in the background.
_______________________________________________________________
“Skin Deep” Bellson/Ellington Photo collage
Louie Bellson featured with The Duke Ellington Orchestra, 195_
Listen to Louie Bellson's original composition "Skin Deep"
while you watch a unique photo collage of the two Maestros.
Louie Bellson composed "Skin Deep"
while in the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
Louie Bellson & Buddy Rich battle it out in the first 3 min. of this 8:04 min. clip.
_______________________________________________________________
Clark Terry & Louie Bellson: Improv Workshop
Louie Bellson with Clark Terry at Tri-C Jazz Fest, Cleveland, 1985
Trumpeter Clark Terry and Percussionist Louie Bellson discuss improvisation
and demonstrate the importance of listening/playing musically within a group. Dr. Thom Horning, Moderator; Willard Jenkins, Producer.
_______________________________________________________________
Louie Bellson plays his Custom Billy Gladstone Snare Drum
Bellson giving a clinic at the Hollywood Vintage Drum Show, 1999
Louie Bellson, while giving a clinic at the 1999 Hollywood Vintage Drum Show, is reunited with his Billy Gladstone Custom Snare Drum. Billy Gladstone was the featured percussionist at Radio City Music Hall during the years 1932 to 1950. After leaving the Music Hall, he built some 60 custom snare drums in the 1950's, of which only about 43 remain today. Bellson's drum was built in 1956. Bellson notes that his Gladstone drum was originally supplied to him with gut snares. The drum in this video is fitted with wire snares but since has been restored to gut.
Host: Kerry Crutchfield. Posted by: Chet Falzerano
_______________________________________________________________
Louie Bellson, Pearl Bailey and Arthur Fiedler
Bellson & wife Pearl Bailey perform at the The Boston Pops Orchestra, 1975
(More titles coming as I have time to enter them. --Mrs. B.) Know of other (legal) Bellson videoclips online?
If so, send the link to bellson_1@att.net for our consideration. Thanks.
Louie Bellson was interviewed as one of the first subjects of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Oral History Program. (1/19/03)
