Skip to Content Skip to Navigation

Louie Bellson Legacy: NEWS

. . . Announcing! . . . Drum Wife and Drum Mom T’s - December 1, 2011


Drum Wife and Drum Mom T-shirts.

Hey drummers -- Got a wife? Got a mother? Let her show her pride in you!
“Drum Wife” or “Drum Mom” with a clever byline! (designed by Mrs. B)
Now available, just in time for Holiday gift-giving.
Your choice of shirt, imprint color and size.
Imprint Color: gold or silver
Size: L or XL

Click pic or Bellson Order Form for this and other wonderful gifts.
____________________________________________________________

Get FREE MP3's - November 30, 2011

Mrs. B is now offering free MP3's of entire Louie Bellson Percussion Power label CDs.
Here's how:
Present members - Refer a friend to sign up on our website.
Tell your friend: 1. Fill out the small box atop any page, 2. Be sure to write “Ref. by (your name)” on the Notes line. 3. You will then be contacted to select your album.
Non-members - Sign up on Jango (see previous Newsnote) ____________________________________________________________

Louie Bellson Legacy joins Jango - November 1, 2011

Jango Airplay
Custom radio that plays what you want.
Discover new music you're likely to like.

Jango is a FREE online radio station where you can select/listen to music of any/all types. You create your own station! Go there now: (click logo) --> http://www.jango.com/music/Louie+Bellson
(Also, can connect thru Facebook, iPhone, Android, etc.)
____________________________________________________________

REPORT: Bellson 5K Race - October 24, 2011

Bellson 5K Memorial Drum Roll
To honor the memory of Moline native and world acclaimed music legend Louie Bellson, the 2nd annual running of the "Louie Bellson 5K Memorial Drum Roll" road race took place in Moline, IL Sat Oct 22, 2011. Proceeds go to support music education in Illinois Quad City public schools.
Watch this lively Video Report!

Read Report, Photos by TheDrumExperts <--click
TO COMMENT: Did you attend? Please share your thoughts in the Guestbook.
SHARE PHOTOS: Did you take pics? Send photos to Mrs. B or sales@thedrumexperts.com.
DONATE TO: Louie Bellson 5K Memorial Drum Roll ~ P.O. Box 805 ~ Moline, IL 61266
______________________________________________________________

Report: Hollywood Drum Show, Oct 1-2 - October 3, 2011

Mrs. B thanks the numerous visitors who warmly received her as she vended Bellson items at the Power Wrist Builders booth.
Actually, an extension booth right across from the stage! Mrs. B patiently expects to regain her hearing sometime next week! (smile)

There was a definite buzz about 3 new items!!!

An 11"x14" Art Print "Gone but not Forgotten" (4 legendary drummers) by Michael Del Priore; also a mug/pencil cup with this design. To order, contact Mrs. B bellson_1@att.net or www.DelPriorePortraits.com.


Alfred Publishing Company's "Solos & Duets for Snare Drum" by Louie Bellson. Click book for link.
______________________________________________________________

Jack Hayes, 92 - August 24, 2011

One of Bellson's dearest colleagues, Jack J. Hayes, an Oscar-nominated composer and orchestrator who worked on more than 200 films during a Hollywood career that spanned 60 years, died August 24 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He composed several classical works and collaborated with jazz drummer Louis Bellson on numerous jazz and orchestral pieces.

Orchestrator Hayes worked on 'The Color Purple,' 'Star Trek'. "The Magnificent Seven" and "To Kill a Mockingbird" for Bernstein, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "Days of Wine and Roses" for Mancini, "The Greatest Story Ever Told" and "Airport" for Alfred Newman, "In Cold Blood" for Jones, and "Casino Royale" and "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" for Bacharach. Hayes also composed TV scores, including such Westerns as "Riverboat," "Wagon Train," "The Virginian" and "Gunsmoke."
Click here for full article in Variety. You may post remembrances in the Guestbook.
__________________________________________________________

William J. Wright, 88 - July 25, 2011

Louie Bellson’s father-in-law William Wright passed away July 25, in South Carolina. Francine Wright Bellson’s father had been a distinguished resident of Washington, DC for over 70 years where he was associated with Afro-American Newspapers, Capitol Cab and his own firm, Capitol Casualty Insurance Co. He founded the Taxicab Industry Group and had been appointed to the DC Hacker’s License Appeal Board by Mayor Walter Washington. He testified numerous times before Congress regarding the Taxi Industry.

You may post condolences in the Guestbook. Donate or write Mrs. B at bellson_1@att.net.
__________________________________________________________

Eric Delaney, 87 - July 15, 2011

Bellson colleague British drummer Eric Delaney passed away July 15, 2011 in London. Share memories in the Guestbook.

Ironically, the Repercussion LP Louie and Eric did together in 1967 had just been re-issued this month on a double CD: “Conversations / Repercussion” with Buddy Rich, Kenny Clare, Louie Bellson and Eric Delaney.
Link to the CD: (USA) click cover above or USA link . . . . . (International) click UK link
__________________________________________________________

Birthday Tribute, or, "Give the Drummer Some!" - July 6, 2011

You are invited to tell how your life was touched by the life of LOUIE BELLSON,
born July 6, 1924, by sharing your remembrance in the Guestbook.
(or click photo.) ---> ______________________________________________________________

Report: Chicago Drum Show, May 21,22 - May 23, 2011

Mrs. B thanks the hundreds of visitors who warmly received her as she sold Bellson items at the Power Wrist Builders booth.

There was a definite buzz about 3 new items!!!

An 11"x14" Art Print "Gone but not Forgotten" (4 legendary drummers) by Michael Del Priore; also a mug/pencil cup with this design. To order, contact Mrs. B bellson_1@att.net or www.DelPriorePortraits.com.


Alfred Publishing Company's "Solos & Duets for Snare Drum" by Louie Bellson. Click book for link.
______________________________________________________________

Snooky Young, 92 - May 11, 2011

Bellson colleague and dear friend trumpeter Snooky Young passed away May 11, 2011 in Newport Beach, Calif. Share memories in the Guestbook. For New York Times story, click photo --->

Young played on many Louie Bellson albums and led the trumpet sections of some of the world’s most famous big bands — including, Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show” orchestra with bandleader Doc Severinsen for over 30 years.
______________________________________________________________

Dr. Martin Luther King on Jazz - April 4, 2011

On this the 43rd anniv of his passing, see JazzTimes article re: MLK’s reflection on the legacy of jazz.
<--- (or click pic).

As previously described (see Jan 17 below), Bellson always admired and honored King
as one of “The Magic Six,” a musical suite Bellson composed in tribute to his 6 heroes.
The Bellson-King Connection -- Comments? Share your thoughts in the Guestbook. _____________________________________________________________

Joe Morello, 82 - March 12, 2011

Louie Bellson colleague, educator and dear friend drummer/educator
Joe Morello passed away March 12 in N.J. at 82. (Click photo for Drum! magazine note.) --->
He gained preeminence as drummer on Dave Brubeck Quartet's historic Take Five (click "Time Out" album cover above).
Share your memories in the Guestbook.
Mrs. B's Note: This is unusual, but I feel Morello's "Take Five" drum solo is so huge, akin to Bellson's "Skin Deep" (Watch Videos Here! p.) that I've made it available here. Enjoy! _________________________________________________________

Valentine: An Open Letter to Mrs. B - February 14, 2011

See Guestbook for the moving and inspiring letter from drummer/composer/author Doane Perry (Jethro Tull). Noting the 2nd anniversary of Louie Bellson's passing, Perry ably defines the Bellson qualities we all admire.
<--- (or click pic for Guestbook). _____________________________________________________________

Bellson admired & honored King with Suite - January 17, 2011

Mrs. B vendor table at: The Annual Martin Luther King Luncheon - a celebration of the life and legacy of the late Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Date/Time: Monday, January 17, 2011 10:30am - 2:30pm
Venue: San Jose McEnery Convention Center
Ballroom A, 150 West San Carlos, San Jose, CA 95113
(click photo for link to event)

From a 2004 JazzTimes interview: "Bellson's most recent work is an ambitious piece called 'The Magic Six,' in which he offers musical portraits of King Hussein of Jordan and Dr. Martin Luther King as well as Benny Carter, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. 'I'm looking forward to having it premiered at USC next season,' Bellson adds. 'I love doing these things. It keeps you busy writing as well as playing.'"
The Bellson-King connection -- What say you? Tell us in the Guestbook. _____________________________________________________________

Billy Taylor, 89 - December 28, 2010

Bellson colleague and friend pianist and broadcaster Billy Taylor passed away Dec 28, 2010 in New York. Share memories in the Guestbook.
Historian and spokesman for jazz, Taylor was artistic director for jazz at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. In 1992, he interviewed Louie Bellson for Charles Kuralt's CBS "Sunday Morning" biopic.
For Washington Post Obituary click photo ---> _____________________________________________________________

Holiday Cheer from Mrs. B - December 25, 2010

Louie loved the animated version of this Bing Crosby standard, as sung by the Drifters. Enjoy!
______________________________________________________________

James Moody, 85 - December 9, 2010

Bellson colleague and dear friend saxophonist James Moody passed away Dec 9, 2010 in San Diego. Share memories in the Guestbook.

Moody recorded more than 50 solo albums as well as songs with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Lionel Hampton and B.B. King.

For Jazz Times Obituary click photo --->
See videos & read statement from wife Linda Moody on their website JamesMoody.com
______________________________________________________________

Mrs. B reconnects to her Silicon Valley Roots - November 18, 2010

Mrs. B attended her M.I.T. Alumni Club talk by authors Lécuyer & Brock on their newly-released book: "The Makers of the Microchip: A Documentary History of Fairchild Semiconductor". The presentation and fellow attendees (some with whom she'd worked) took her back to her times as a young research engineer at Fairchild in the early 1970's.
Twenty years later, Louie & Francine Bellson gave career presentations entitled "The Physicist & the Percussionist"
Click book for link.
--> ______________________________________________________________

PASIC (Percussive Arts Society Int'l Convention) Nov 11-13 - November 13, 2010

Mrs. B thanks the hundreds of visitors who warmly received her as she sold Bellson items at the Power Wrist Builders booth.

Of great interest were two Bellson-related books released at PASIC, incl. "Tales from the Cymbal Bag" (with a whole chapter on Louie & Francine Bellson) and Alfred Publishing Company's "Solos & Duets for Snare Drum" by Louie Bellson. Click books for links.

______________________________________________________________

REPORT: Bellson 5K Race - October 19, 2010

Bellson 5K Memorial Drum Roll, Oct 16
REPORT:"Exhilarating!"
See eye-witness Article and Video report by TheDrumExperts <--(click)
CALL FOR COMMENTS: Did you attend? Share thoughts in the Guestbook.
CALL FOR PHOTOS: Did you take pics? Send photos to sales@thedrumexperts.com.
______________________________________________________________

Bellson 5K Memorial Drum Roll -- Sat Oct 16 -- Today's the Day! - October 16, 2010

START: 9:00 A.M. (rain or shine)
Moline High School (West Parking Lot)
Entries allowed up to day of Race.
or
Come -- Photograph -- Cheer
your favorite runners!
Race/walk open to all ages, all abilities.
(So far the oldest runner entered is 83 years old!)
_____________________________________________________________

JazzTimes article on 5K Race - October 14, 2010

Go to www.JazzTimes.com
or click logo to read article.
--> ______________________________________________________________

. . . Bellson 5K RACE -- Application deadline extended!! - October 8, 2010

FLASH! Application Deadline has been extended up to day of the Race! (Oct 16)
The Race
To honor the memory of Moline, IL native and world acclaimed music legend Louie Bellson, the inaugural running of the "Louie Bellson 5K Memorial Drum Roll" road race will take place in Moline Sat Oct 16, 2010. Proceeds will go to support music education in Illinois Quad City public schools.
Louie Bellson Memorial Race

Mail-In Registration
<-- Click the logo to download the Application form and fill it out. Mail your completed form and registration fee to the address given on the form.
Race Hotline: (309) 752-8429

Attn: Interested Sponsors!!
We are currently seeking sponsors for the race, both local and national. Contact: Rob Moon, Race Director bellsonmemorial5k@gmail.com or (708) 288-1168. _______________________________________________________________

Buddy Morrow, 91 - September 27, 2010

Louie Bellson colleague and friend trombonist
Buddy Morrow passed away Sept 27, 2010 in Maitland, Florida. Share memories in the Guestbook.
(Click photo for article.) ---> ______________________________________________________________
Next Page >>

RSS feed