Word: ellington
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...sardines into the Blue Note's minuscule table space, to choose the last tune. When a deadlock ensued, Bellson decreed that a hybrid known as "Cherokee-Cottontail" would be played. "This one features our first-chair percussionist," Bellson kidded. The blend of the traditional jazz standard and one of Ellington's most famous melodies held many treasures in store. The quintet began with "Cherokee" and then broke into choruses of "Cottontail." Throughout the second section, Swartz strummed along powerfully with something akin to religious fervor...
...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...
...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...
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...