Word: bellson
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...Bellson adeptly mixed an almost passionate creativity with a firm control of the band. This achievement, no small one in the jazz world, is a direct result of more than 50 years' professional experience playing with some of the biggest names from the swing era and beyond, including the likes of Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, and Woody Herman...
Still invigorated after an hour-long set, Bellson reflected happily on his beginnings. Early in his career, Bellson became famous not only for his drum chops, but for his unique instrumental setup. First used 1946, Bellson's original design involved a two-bass-drum drum-set. "I designed the set when I was drawing in art class," Bellson recalled, "But it took a long time to get it made." When completed, the drum-set impressed such jazz luminaries as Duke Ellington, who "gave [it] a lot of coverage," according to Bellson...
...Bellson's drum-set was only the first of many brushes with percussive innovation. Swing bandleader Tommy Dorsey created a revolving platform for Bellson so that audiences could see the action from the drummer's point of view. Bellson went on to dazzle audiences with an awesome technical dexterity, making the highlight of many concerts his virtuosic solos...
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...