Louie Bellson

Louie Bellson was a legendary jazz drummer, composer, and bandleader, widely recognized for his incredible technique, musical versatility, and pioneering contributions to jazz drumming. Born in 1924, he was one of the early innovators of using two bass drums and brought a highly dynamic, orchestral approach to his playing. Bellson got his big break with Benny Goodman in the early 1940s and later played with jazz greats like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Ella Fitzgerald.

Beyond being a phenomenal performer, Bellson was also a prolific composer and arranger, writing over 1,000 compositions and collaborations. His career spanned decades, during which he led his own big bands and small ensembles, always pushing the boundaries of rhythm and swing. Known as both a technical master and a gracious collaborator, Louie Bellson left an indelible mark on the world of music and is revered as one of the finest drummers in jazz history.

Genres

Big Band

Jazz

Contemporary Jazz

Fusion Music

Latin Jazz

Avant-garde Jazz

Bebop

Swing

Cool Jazz

Related Artists

Max Roach

Buddy Rich

Art Blakey

Steve Gadd

Count Basie

Duke Ellington

Philly Joe Jones

Shelly Manne

Billy Cobham

Ella Fitzgerald

Tony Bennett

Tony Williams

Latest Release

Seven Come Eleven

Louie Bellson•

Barney Kessel•

Hank Jones

Album - 8 Tracks - Released October 30, 2022