Word: bellson
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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Despite his potentially flashy skills, Bellson made a career of stellar performances with top-notch jazz musicians. After a stint with the Harry James Band, he joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Juan Tizol, the trombonist who wrote the famous song "Caravan," was also playing for James but was talking to Ellington about joining the Duke's band. Tizol told him about Bellson and Willie Smith, an alto saxophone player who eventually replaced the incomparable Johnny Hodges in Ellington's group. When Tizol, Smith and Bellson told James of their decision to leave, Bellson remembers, James only responded, "Take me with...
Ellington, who for Bellson represented "the perfect bandleader," showed off the drummer in such memorable tunes as "Skin Deep." A seven-minute recording of that piece features more than three minutes of continuous drum solos, both bass drums pounding at top speed. Playing swing, jazz, orchestral and even sacred music for Ellington meant "always an element of surprise," commented Bellson, "It's an experience that you'll never forget...
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...