I got to play for Bellson when I was in the first annual Louis Bellson drum competition in Illinois back in High School. He was the judge. I got second place, but the dude was a totally cool. Afterwards, when we were all schmoozing I took a picture with him and he goes "I'll see ya playin' around, kid". I didn't care I didn't win. I got to play for LOUIS BELLSON and he liked my playing! There has never been as cool of a compliment as that.
i KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN...A RETIRED JULIARD INSTRUCTOR LISTENED TO MY BUSKING, NOODLING AROUND ON THE BACH UNACCOMPANIED VIOLIN PIECES....HIS COMMENT WAS, " THAT WASN'T TOO BAD " .....LOL..WHAT A COMPLIMENT....THAT WAS IN 1980 OUTSIDE JULLIARD...ONE L OR TWO ?.....
Underrated, Louis Bellson isn’t talked about enough in the drumming world like the other jazz drummers are. Truly an innovator, I can see where Cozy Powell and many others got their playing styles from
@@robertcarli1969 I have seen and watched Louie many times. He was no Buddy Rich, not even close. Louie was a terrific drummer, Buddy was Supernatural..
I did the Pearl Bailey TV Special, when I was a student at Ambassador College in Pasadena, Ca. back in 1977, It was one of many TV specials I was involved (played drums) in as part of my scholarship for studying and playing Drums there. There was always an after-party held at the Student Center across fro the Auditorium and everyone from the production and the stars were invited to dinner and cocktails after the event. I was seated at the table with Louie and Pearl and proceeded to have some of the most fun I've ever had the rest of the night. After the night ended we proceeded to be friends and I was invited and went to a couple of Pearl's BBQ's where she did BBQ Pork and Beef Ribs to perfection, I got the recipes. Louie was always free flowing with humor, comrades in arms, affection for the fellow drummer and about the nicest guy in general you could ever meet and Pearl was about the most Down Home, Southern Belle, kind of affection she could be. You would never know they were "stars" they don't make them like that anymore, I will miss them and remember them forever.
Mr. Bellson will always be my favorite, followed very, very closely by the late great Joe Morello. Joe's brushwork in particular was matchless in both technique and feel, and is an inspiration to me personally and creatively.
I bought my 5 piece Marine Pearl Holliday Rodgers drum set in '67, and I still have them, and they still look & sound great!!! Louis sure can make them Rodgers talk!!!
Always elegant, melodic and man, oh man, when he unleashes the fury... run for the hills. All of his majesty on the kit usually sends most drummers back to school.
Always thought Louis had more variety in the "pacing" of his solos than Buddy. Buddy was always pure speed and power- Louis a little more about variety and dynamics. Both amazing!
I agree with you completely. LB definitely had the technical ability to go full blast just like Buddy did but chose not to. If he was full blast all the time, then he would be criticized for being a BR clone. And these pros are very sensitive about not being a copycat and try very hard to differentiate themselves from their rivals. I'm pretty sure LB thought carefully how he presented his solos as to not be perceived as just being "another Buddy Rich."
I had the pleasure of meeting LB in the 1990s. A total class act and the perfect gentleman! After the show, he spent time telling stories about Duke Ellington. It was great!
That's awesome. I was fortunate to see him in Hollywood around 1980. He played a melody on a large set of Roto-Toms tuned to specific pitches as part of his solo- very cool, and an indication of how willing he was to try new things.
I am not surprised at his willingness to try new things! After all, he is credited as inventing double bass drumming decades before they became fashionable! LB was much more than a drummer and was also knowledgeable about composing and arranging. Very versatile.
WE WERE PRIVILEGED TO MEET LOUIS AND TEN OTHER FINE MUSICIANS OVER A WEEKEND DREAM GATHERING IN QUALICUM BEACH, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA. HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY INSPIRARTION TO BE A BETTER DRUMMER AND PERSON. ALL THE BEST TO ALL JAZZ LOVERS. IT'S MUSIC WHICH WILL SAVE OUR WORLD!!!
I was lucky to be a student of Louie's brother Henry when I was a teenager. I got to spend time with Louie on those occasions when he stopped into the Music Stop in Canoga Park. What a time! Hanging out with Louie Bellson, Henry Bellson, Terry Gibbs, and Mel Zelnick. And on one special occasion I even got to meet Louie's first wife, the great Pearl Bailey.
The thing I love about Buddy and Louie is that the class and technique and finesse they showed. You do not get this refinement today amongst even the great we have. Beautiful chops of a by gone master.
+CHC4669 I imagine you believe what you said. The problem is when you try to reduce the masters you basically reduce the validity of your comments. You mentioned Eric Harland, who I.M.O is a great drummer, but you also mentioned how he would smoke the azzzes of Buddy and Louie because as you put it they had no creativity. I don't know if you are on some kind of bad drugs,or you are just a somebody that thinks he knows something. Thinking and knowing are 2 different things. The musicality of /Buddy or Louie is beyond reproach, and saying Erics solo with Tyner was faaar beyond anything either man was capable of was to put it mildly A JOKE. This is not to say Eric cannot play or is not a great musician, only to repeat what I said before, the CLASS and TECHNIQUE and FINESSE those guys had you do not get today. That does not take away anything from any other players,reading is fundamental,before you get yourself bent out of shape and try to put down MASTERS of the instrument ,perhaps you need to understand on what level these guys were playing. Listen to Buddys playing with Dizzy, if you think he could not play bebop or modern jazz.And if you think those chops,musicality,finesse and intensity meant nothing and was not musical then you need a doctor to help you.
+CHC4669 Nice novel you wrote, and i'm certain you have your own reasons for writing this novel. Congrats!!! However your novel on many parts is just straight out nonsense. To say Rich could not play certain styles is real crap. Buddy could play what ever he wanted to play. And because he was not primarily a be bop player you decided to DISCOUNT his career and his contribution to the instrument. You claimed APART from Dizzie he never player with no Be Bop musicians. That is pure B.S. He played with many of the musicians you named. Why not MENTION that he played with Bird? Why not mention him playing with Harry Edison? With Benny Carter, John Simmons?Lionel Hampton? How about Oscar Peterson? Sonny Criss? Ray Brown, Freddie Green?Art Tatum? How about Peterson,Armstrong and Ella on a session with all of them? Forgot perhaps, or did you just decide not to mention these people? Apparently Bird commented that Buddy was one of his favorite drummers, as did Gillespie, funny since you seem to imply that they did him a FAVOR by playing with him? And since i'm not writing a novel, that back of the bus reference you made, should be better placed in a different arena because with your 600 + records of jazz greats, you seem to have forgot about the 50's sessions on record Buddy did with many of the greats. In case you never heard some of these sessions they were recorded on Argo,Emarcy,Verve these were all with small groups, and on many tunes you hear the master at work. As for Buddy not being able to improvise as you said. Perhaps you need to get your ears cleaned, listening is fundamental. Session over.
+CHC4669 Another novel? Or is it novela? Man you spew out the most incredible verbal diarrhea possible, I believe you are like many washwomen you believe your utter B.S. You mentioned Buddy could not play bebop when I said Buddy could play WHATEVER he wanted to. Since you have a problem believing this and since you basically have tried to discount and rewrite Buddys contribution to the drums and music, it's best that I stop you now in your ignorance. On youtube there is a very interesting video of Buddy in a four piece group laying down the smack. It's called Buddy Rich on the Lenny Bruce show 1959.You mentioned Buddy had no facility to improvise,boy you need a good head doctor. I suggest before you open up your piehole anymore and convince everyone beyond a doubt that you are an imbecile,you watch what Buddy does in this four piece incredible unit. Now as for Dizzy. He was on a tape mentioning Buddy and said, when you play with BERNARD Buddy Rich you have to give 120% nothing else will suffice. As for Bird, he also stated Rich was a favorite of his. It does not matter if they were in groups together or just in jams,or just on record dates together. Those things happened whether you choose to discount them or not it does not matter. And because you have a book that said so and so, that cannot alter Buddys dominance on a set of drumzz. Many musicians play different music and play that music on very high levels, because one guy play classical, another jazz, another fusion, another flamenco,and funk, and rock,and world beat, that does not diminish the accomplishment of those musicians. You seem to think only one music is valid, and if someone does not play what you like they have no capability to play your type of music. You are the greatest thing since pay toilets, trying to discount what this fantastic super drummer has done, I do not know if you're just an imbecile or just an ordinary dunce, either one is a compliment for you. I will not read you next novel/novela, because you have proven that what you don't know could fill the universe, and what you do know could not fill a thimble.
Man 2 + weeks to respond, and with the same old tired nonsense you continue to spew. Oh I forgot you read it in the book. So I guess you do not have ears,eyes,or more important understanding of what you're speaking about. For example you decided to discount anything Rich has done because as you put it he played the same licks over and over. I'm laughing my ass off,because you don't know or even understand what you're listening to. You speak about be bop,but when Buddy played it you mentioned he cannot swing or has no feel for it. But 1st you said he could not play it, then after he packed your lame zzz with prowess you still revert back to your verbal diarrhea and your knowledge of THE BOOK. Did you know Buddy played with with Count Basie band for 2 weeks when Basies drummer could not do the gigs,as a matter of fact, Basie said to Buddy I will give you a blank check and you can write in any amount you want. After the 2 weeks Basie handed him the blank check Buddy tore it up, stating he was very happy to help him and play in the band. Basie the class man he was, sent Buddy a gold watch inscribed to MY # 1 SON. Was that NOT mentioned in your book? You continually mention guys like Papa Jo Jones, do you know or UNDERSTAND many of his riffs are copies of Buddys, not played as precise or with the power of Buddy but taken from Buddys arsenal. Don't believe it, Buddy was 9 years older and Jo many times went to see and jam with Buddy. It might not be in YOUR BOOK so don't blow up scrotum with your classic response. As for being angry at you? For what? I'm simply answering your novels and your lame approach to put Buddy down. Oh and Tony Williams was the greatest drummer according to you? I've seen Tony several times, and he could play, so I'm not going to put Tony down to put Buddy Rich up, it's not necessary, that is your tactics. Like i said in my last post 2 weeks before ,what you don't know could fill the universe, what you do know could not fill a thimble. Good luck with all your future verbal diarrhea,please at this point you're wasting my time, and i'm certain we cannot have any future conversations. Class dismissed.
CHC 4669 Since as you put it his solos were limited, simple ,same old same old with no creativity, you're going to have to make a video of YOUR PLAYING, and let everyone see what a SUPER SPECIAL MASTER DRUMMER you are. Since you make it a point to point out that Buddy was not a MASTER DRUMMER, I'm sure you'll be able to show us your MASTERFUL SUPER CHOPS. NOW PUT UP or keep that limited B.S PIE HOLE shut. I'm betting you cannot carry BUDDYS JOCKSTRAP,.Or for that matter your own.LMAO,and lets not put this off for a year or so,or for that matter 3 weeks. GET IT TOGETHER NOW!!! And make sure it's you and not you substituting someone else. Not that we don't TRUST YOU!!!!!!
Imagine being 20 years old, and playing on this master musician's band for an entire tour. It happened to me in 1966. Every night was an education in swing. He was not only a master musician, he was a truly wonderful friend, as was his wife, Pearl Bailey. Tony Horowitz
In my opinion, the greatest drummer that ever was. There was not a thing that Rich did that Bellson could not do. This guy could run rings around many modern speed drummers today. Speed, precision, style...Louis Bellson!
why do these comments always turn into a pissing contest over who is a better Drummer. I guess to make everyone happy there should only be one Drummer in the world. who would that be? these pro drummers are not trying to be better than each other, they all use the same ammunition but in different ways. so to compare Rich with Belson or anybody with anyone else is just stupid and immature. like an arm chair general or quarterback. if you don't have anything positive to say don't say anything. these guys used to hang out together and share ideas. they were part of a brotherhood that the young generation just don't understand. drumming is an Art not a competition.
the pissing contest between Buddy and everyone else is that Buddy is better. Louie admitted same to the audience in Philly where I saw him play brilliantly as well.
speedoflite1 The fact that Louie used to say that Buddy was better than him, whereas Buddy used to say that he, himself, was the greatest tells us something about their respective personalities. It tells us nothing about their drumming abilities.
I think that just about covers what one can do with a drum kit. And the other solos are wonderful too. Must have been a marvellous concert. Lucky audience, being in the presence of so much musical greatness.
I too got to meet and play for Louis in 1966 at a city drum tournament. It was one of three times got to meet and see him in person. He was a fantastic rudimentalist, loved his style.
I love the single stroke roll he does just before the music starts. Watch his left hand, it barely moves, yet the stick is singing over that snare drum. Such technique!
I had knee surgery way back when. I was house bound with full length cast for 12 weeks. I was 18 and used to catch LOUIE, BUDDY, SHAUGHNESSY BOBBY ROSENGARDEN ( DICK CAVETT) etc... ONE EVENING, ON "THE PEARL BAILEY SHOW (L.B. MUSICAL CONDUCTOR) I WATCHED HIM PERFORM "CARNABY STREET" written, arranged by Louie, with the entire orchestra, and oh,what a performance !!!!! At that very moment, I KNEW I HAD TO MEET HIM SOME DAY ! I thought about him that entire, sleepless night. And, for the next 2 weeks as well. I had been a JOHNNY CARSON fan for at least 3 yrs. One night as they were returning from commercial, band was cooking, leading right into a solo. After applause died down, Johnny announced "Louie, I understand you are going to be appearing in town soon." Louie replied..."Yes, My Big Band will be at DONTES the next 3 Sunday evenings"! I wrote him a letter at NBC in Burbank. He answered it while on a plane trip. I then met him the 1st time at DONTE's. He remembered everything in my letter. I arrived 5 hours early (out of ignorance.) At the door, I sheepishly peaked in to an empty room. I softly called..."Mr. Bellson? " He was at the piano, editing a chart for that night. He replied. "Come on in, I'm about finished"! We began a really honest friendship from that evening until his passing. As we got to know each other better, I was invited to his home in Northridge, CA. We would go out together, music, lunch, dinner. The sweetest man I had ever met ! Later, he began purchasing gifts for me. When he would change drum companies, without ever even thinking about this subject, I became the VERY PROUD receiver of several drums, stands and various pieces of hardware used by him in previous yrs. The first few years I was living in a dream world ! As years began to pass the more our relationship grew. What a guy. Steven Kratz.
From about 4:30 till about 6:38, Louie is soloing over the 12-bar form of the tune, right? ...doing chorus after chorus. Niiiiice!! What snare drum work!! Swingin'!! With tasty tom and bass hits interspersed for color and rhythm. Now and then he does what seem to be paradiddles on the snare at an unbelievable speed. Whew!!!
Unbelievable, the only drummer that could hold a torch to Buddy Rich and IMO this is superior. Absolutely amazing and one of the top drum solos of all time.
+John Berry He wasn't the only one at all - open your ears!Gene Krupa, Cozy Cole, Papa Jo Jones and Philly too,,,,the list is quite long....even Buddy would tell you that were he alive today.
@@HankFinkle11 Absolutely true! I took lessons in Southern California (early 1970's) from one of Louie's students. Learning his unique method of the Up-Down stroke is what gave his playing such effortless finesse while doubling his beats. And let us not forget he invented the use of two bass drums...in 1939 no less! I still have my vintage late 1950's Rodgers 3-piece set in gold sparkle too. Flawless condition, with original gut heads. I love 'em!
Louie was not only an extraordinary drummer; he also was a prolific composer and arranger (approximately 1000! songs). Either Duke Ellington or Count Bassie called him the greatest musician in the world. 🤩
I saw Louis Bellson play at my high school with the school jazz band and their "hot" drummer (who was damned good) but Bellson was so clean. And his swing time was flawless. Truly one of the greatest.
I dont know that anyone had better control on rolls than LB. My GOD when he rolls the snare it sounds like a Chicago Typewriter taking down every gang in the city at once its SO tight and precise and the way he so smoothly and effortlessly goes back and forth with his grips. Amazing.
It appears to me that all the great ones early on had their sound had their setup and most importantly they're playing position from day one! Thankfully we can all revisit the performances and the great music that shaped a lot of everything that we know today. It's still hard to keep up with!!
How can you say this is finesse? So unmusical. Just hitting as many drums and cymbals as he can with not much rhythmic variety, dynamics or musicality. All his solos were like this where other jazz drummers played with much more musical sophistication. Lois was all flash and gimmicks (double basses just plodding, switch from sticks to brushes to jingle sticks or sometimes two sticks in each hand....anyone can do that). Buddy was so much more tasteful and interesting
+Steve Percoco I would reverse that assessment. Buddy's primary ability lay in his variations on the press roll, where his speed was absolutely unmatched. Louie played to the song, rather than use it exclusively as a soloing vehicle. Finesse, yes -- and while we're on that subject, Joe Morello belongs in that category as well, as does Shelley Manne.
G Morgan I find your assessment very oolish. Especially the parts about Buddy relying on the press roll that was like 1% of his solo lol. And Luis playing to the song is equally as funny. He didn't even play in time when he soloed let alone adhere to any song form or melody. Morellos' solo on Take 5 is almost childish compared to Alan Dawsons' solo. Alan could freely solo in odd time signatures where as with Morello you could hear him constantly restating the time signiure.
I don't find any of my opinions to be foolish at all. Moreover, why be so rude in expressing yours? We can discuss this video further if you like, but without the name calling, please.
G Morgan No one called you a name. I simply pointed out some very incorrect statements you made. You can say you like the way Bellson plays better and leave it at that. When you say that Buddy's primary ability is in his variation on press rolls it is simply a ridiculous statement. He was an impeccable time keeper, had amazing chops (better than Bellson), a huge dynamic range (again better than Bellson) and much more variety in his rhythmic ability. You also mentioned Bellson being a musical soloist but give me an example. This video is obviously not one. But I've seen just about every one of his solos that youtube has to offer and they are always the same. Not one of them does he solo over an actual melody like Buddy has done, Elvin has done, Tony Williams has done....Louis' solos were all flash.
good god almighty.............this is Louie in top form! massive......musically , conceptually. physically its on another level.....even a text book for sounds that came in later for rock......a musical text book for groove and musicality.....thanks for posting :)
Two comments. Louie Bellson subbed for my teacher a few times when I was 12 (about 2 years after this performance) at Dave Sweet Drums in Culver City. I was too young to know how friggen cool that was. Do you know what would happen if you brought two bass drums to a jazz gig today? The "Jazz Police" would hound you off the stage.
The MAN 'S STICKS MOVIN SO HARD/FAST THEM A BLURRR 💜🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🖤🎶💜😮🙏👁️❣️❣️❣️❣️He's doing like🥁🥁🥁 4thgs w/a rhythm so freakin hard....🥁🥁🥁🥁... He makes look easy cz his greatness...... U see 👀🖤💜❣️😉🎶🎶🎶🎶
there's a video of Questlove and Bieber in a drum battle on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Compare that to this and weep at how far the art of drumming has sunk,
+tp10488 ...What are you talking about?There are still a GREAT many fabulous players out there; listening to populist pulp I can understand why you'd think that though.You have A LOT of listening to do; if you're an American living in America you should be ashamed of yourself as so many great players ply their trade in that country.
+Robert Dore What am I talking about? It's called work ethic, my friend. The young folks today don't seem to understand that. Watching Louie's technique is all you need to know. That didn't come by simply wishing it.
Holy crap...in a Tuxedo with cuff links and tie! That is like wearing a straight jacket for a drummer... Cannot imagine what would have happened if he only had sweat pants and a T-Shirt on....OMG! Incredible
