Word: bellson
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...Duke Ellington called Louie Bellson, 84, "the world's greatest drummer," a title Bellson earned at age 17 when he beat out 40,000 other contestants in a national drumming competition. He went on to play with numerous jazz greats, such as Count Basie and Ella Fitzgerald...
...LOUIE BELLSON. A legendary jazz drummer Duke Ellington once called “the greatest musician alive” performs this weekend with Kenny Hitchcock (sax), Derek Smith (piano) and Jay Leonhart (bass) in Cambridge. Friday, March 7 and Saturday, March 8 at 9 p.m. Tickets $25, available at Ryles or by phone (617) 876-9330. Ryles Jazz Club, 212 Hampshire Street, Inman Square, Cambridge...
When it came time to lead his own band, Bellson went on to follow in the Duke's footsteps; he has continued to do so. "I try to do what Ellington did," he confesses, adding "If I get an idea to write a solo vehicle for someone in the band, I write a solo vehicle." The groups with which Bellson has played all over the country feature many up-and-coming musicians; he has often played with youth orchestras and colleges, and he even expressed interest in coming to Harvard sometime the next year. Bellson says his involvement with young...
...developed as an artist, Bellson has expanded his roster of roles as bandleader and small group player to include a now constant occupation as composer. In his earlier years, groups led by Harry James, Count Basic and Duke Ellington performed his work. Recently, he has added classical premieres to his list of achievements. When asked about his influences, Bellson said, "I listen to everybody...to find what's current, what's going on." As recent musical inspirations, Bellson cited funk, swing and Jamaican music...
...Bellson's performance and post-show remarks suggested that his musical career has been a result of equal parts discipline, intelligence and imagination. Just as he balanced his musical personality against that of his quintet throughout the set, he consistently combined technical wizardry with intense musicality, as he has done throughout his professional experience. This unique musical mix made it an evening to remember...