Louie Bellson (1924-2009)
My half-way-point, of 100 drummers is a good place to talk about the great drummer Louie Bellson. (aka) Luigi Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni.
Before I met Louie, my teacher-friend Tommy Thomas (1901-1995) told me many stories about Louie Bellson. These are in the book I authored, The Tommy Thomas Percussion Library.
One story, how Tommy first met a young 15 year-old Louie Bellson. Tommy Thomas was playing at The Capitol Theatre in Chicago when, he saw someone moving around from seat to seat. This was during a rehearsal. Tommy and the musicians had noticed this happening time to time. They called him The Cricket. ‘That Cricket is back, they would remark.
Eventually, The Cricket found his way up to Tommy and began talking to him. The great Chicago drummer-percussionist Roy Knapp, had advised Louie to go see Tommy for some tips. Louie was sneaking into the theatre to watch Tommy. This was the beginning of a lifelong friendship between Tommy and Louie.
In Orlando, during the 80s, there was a venue on Disney property called, The Village Lounge. I saw many legendary jazz musicians there, including Louie Bellson.
My first lesson with Tommy was the early 70s, around 1973.
In 1980, I authored my first drum book called Quadragrip. This technique developed from my studies with Tommy and the experimentation with multiple 4 sticks and brushes playing the drumset.
Tommy told me how he invented ways to play music scores during Vaudeville and other music shows, utilizing a similar concept. He utilized various sticks, mallets, brushes and sound effects. He was doing this in the 30s.
Tommy also told me about his friend, legendary marimba artist, Claire Musser. Yes, that was-is the Musser Vibes, Marimba instruments created by William F Ludwig, in Chicago.
My studies with Tommy, his books of material, planted the seed that began my Quadragrip concept.
In 1980, I had the first copies of my self-published book, Quadragrip.
Louie was playing at the Village Lounge. Upon my arrival, I saw Tommy Thomas. There are photos of that meeting with Tommy, Ted Reed and Maury Lishon. Three legendary drummers, authors, owner of Franks Drum Shop, in Chicago.
They are gathered around a collection Billy Gladstone snare drums. Several of only 50 built by Billy Gladstone. Tommy was friends with Billy Gladstone, owned and played his custom snare drum.
Tommy introduced me to Louie. I gave Louie and Tommy the first copies of my Quadragrip book.
It was always great to hear Louie play at the Village Lounge. The lounge was a small room with great chairs, sofas and excellent acoustics. Louie was always one of the most popular guest musicians, a fantastic experience to hear him play with a quartet.
The following day, I went to Discount Music, downtown Orlando. Louie was presenting a drum clinic. I was standing in the back, when he unexpectedly, called me out. He mentioned, I had written this book and created a concept. He called me to the drum-stand to play. I remember my legs shaking, as I stood next to Louie and his drumset.
I can’t imagine how questionable my performance was. Being a lefty, I was able to demonstrate a couple things on Louie’s set. I was so nervous, I don’t remember much about it. Louie was extremely gracious and encouraging during that day.
Because of my affiliation with Tommy, Louie welcomed me into his world. The next time I saw Louie play, he had developed a nice 4-stick solo into his feature drum solo. Many drummers around the world have seen Louie perform.
I can’t say enough about Louie Bellson. Among the thousands of musicians that knew him, he was a great drummer-musician and a gentleman of the highest degree.
Tommy Thomas was a teacher and mentor to many well-known drummers. Including Louie Bellson, Buddy Rich, Ray Bauduc, Ray McKinley, Gene Krupa and others. Tommy was encouraging to Louie, from the age of 15, when he was popping up like a cricket at the Capitol Theatre, in Chicago.
Louie and Tommy were unique ambassadors for generations of drummers.
Louie’s performance and recording discography is extensive. He worked with big bands throughout the 1940s and 50s, with Tommy’s friend Benny Goodman, Harry James and Duke Ellington.
Louie was married to singer-actress, Pearl Bailey from 1952 till her death in 1990.