Mrs. B
Bellson & Carson introduce the future Mrs. B to the world!
(A Moment in Time -- The Tonight Show, 1992)
After performing with the Tonight Show orchestra, best buds Louie Bellson & Johnny Carson chat, revealing Bellson's engagement (Click photo to play clip of chat)
Who is "Mrs. B"?
The Indomitable Mrs. Bellson
Mrs. Bellson, nee Francine Wright, was an Earlham/Harvard/M.I.T. educated physicist/engineer working in Silicon Valley (Calif.) when she met Louie Bellson on a Jazz Cruise in '91. They married in '92.
They traveled the world, he performing and recording, and she selling and creating memorabilia for the gigs. She eventually became his manager, publicist and photographer. She developed the document "Gig Guidelines" which Louie hailed as a godsend and was modeled after by other artists.
She produced Bellson's last two CDs, "The Sacred Music of Louie Bellson & the Jazz Ballet" and "Louie & Clark Expedition 2" on his Percussion Power label. (Go to our CD Store page.)
Louie Bellson collaborated with pal trumpeter Clark Terry on their last joint project: the album "Louie & Clark Expedition 2" (named and produced by Mrs. B). The three are pictured here at the 2007 NYC recording session.
Subsequent to Bellson's Feb, 2009 passing, Mrs. B became archivist and manager of both the Louie Bellson and Pearl Bailey estates including handling royalties, permissions, etc.
Further, she has since returned to her Silicon Valley roots where she is active in engineering society, technical and faith activities. She has tutored in physics and developed a math curriculum for her Church's Youth Writing & Math Skills Workshop.
The Physicist & the Percussionist
Louie Bellson’s first wife was the celebrated vocalist/actress Pearl Bailey for whom he was musical director.
After Pearl’s passing, he met & married Francine. Hear Bellson tell it in his own words! Click Bellson Speaks
NOTE: Mrs. B was an Earlham / Harvard / M.I.T. educated physicist / engineer when she and Bellson married (1992).
Mr. & Mrs. Bellson developed a joint talk entitled, “The Physicist & the Percussionist" which they performed at school events nationwide. An inspirational career presentation exploring the relationship between music and science, it was always enthusiastically received by both students and parents alike.
Backstage Interview
Subj: The Bellson Legacy (2019)
"World's Best Drummer: Louie Bellson Beats, The Heart of the Story"
by Gary Metivier, Emmy award-winning journalist
<--- Click pic to play
Keeping Up w/ Mrs. B!
[March 2025] Mrs. B Honored by D.A.R.
Our very own Mrs. B, FRANCINE BELLSON was awarded the "Women in American History" Medal from the Los Altos chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.)
The "Women in American History award" is presented each year by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to a woman who is making a difference in their community and who serves as an example through her contributions in the areas of education, religion, social, scientific or cultural innovation.
DAR chapters are encouraged to select notable women from their state or community to honor with this award which emphasizes the role of women — past and present — in American history.
DAR Presentors:
“We’re proud to recognize FRANCINE WRIGHT BELLSON for her careers in technology and music, her service to youth interested in technical careers, and her work to preserve and protect the history and heritage of Louie Bellson and his music.”
[June 2024] Bellson Music Fest TV Interviews
FLASH! Click /Watch Mrs. B on TV!
WHBF “Living Local” in Rock Island, IL (5 min) KWQC “Quad Cities Live” in Davenport, IA (6 min)
[Feb 2023] Living Legend Interview
Emmanuel Baptist Church, San Jose, Calif.
Mrs. B was interviewed by her Pastor as one of 4 “Living Legends” for one of the church’s Black History Month Sunday presentations.
CLICK: Clip shown at church (10 min)
CLICK: Full Interview (40 min)
[Feb 2021] Mrs. B authorizes publication of Bellson Poetry Book
"The Poetic Thoughts & Verses of Louie Bellson"
Produced by Hudson Music ~ Licensed by Mrs. B
Louie Bellson had a little-known passion for writing poetry. (“Who knew?”)
Hudson Music is proud to publish the prose and poetry of Louie Bellson, a man universally loved as a gentle and kind soul—as well as a towering figure in the world of drumming. Available at HudsonMusic.com.
[Jan 2021] Mrs. B contributes Bellson charts to international repertoire
LOUIE BELLSON CHARTS AT iJAZZMUSIC
Featuring Outstanding Composers from Europe, Asia, South America & the United States.
iJazzMusic is part of JEA (Jazz Education Abroad).
A not-for-profit organization, JEA’s mission is to increase the awareness of American Jazz music through cultural music education to youth worldwide.
*A.A. & J.C. They're so modest! -- go to our CONTACT Page to learn about them.
Louie Bellson Charts at iJazzMusic
[Feb 2020] Mrs. B Speaks at Evergreen Valley College
" Achievement Against the Odds"
Biographical career Speech to Black History Program at Evergreen Valley College, San Jose, where she’d once taught as an adjunct professor of math. Mrs. B related how a solid background in the sciences had well-prepared her to work on diverse technical products including photolithography at Fairchild, micro-channel plates at Varian; laser printer, bubble memory and DASD components at IBM.