Louie Bellson and His Big Band

Starring:Louie Bellson
Studio: View Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
Louie Bellson, the inventor of the two bass-drum kit, is famous for his memorable participation in the big bands of Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey and Harry James. He also revitalized the Duke Ellington band, where he became known as an arranger, and toured for many years with his wife, singer Pearl Bailey.

His distinguished career has led him to recordings with Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson and many other superstars. Driving the band from the drums, Louie Bellson is a leader who controls the performance and has always had the respect of the players.

While exploring contemporary sounds, Bellson keeps up the big-band tradition by leading his own orchestra, which includes 18 of the finest performers on the musical scene, creative soloists playing as a tightly knit ensemble.

Description

Louie Bellson, the inventor of the two bass-drum kit, is famous for his memorable participation in the big bands of Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey and Harry James. He also revitalized the Duke Ellington band, where he became known as an arranger, and toured for many years with his wife, singer Pearl Bailey.

Customer Reviews:

Bellson the showman..........2007-02-20

There have always been just two drummers in my mind: Rich & Bellson. His original use of the double bass drum had such a unique sound and power that it enthralled me years ago when I first heard it on a Duke Ellington live concert, recorded in Seattle in 1952.

As much as I think Buddy Rich is the greatest I enjoy watching Louis Bellson for his showmanship. This video shows him really enjoying what he's doing and responding to the audience's appreciation of his prowess.

His accompanying band includes former members of groups such as the Average White Band and Blood Sweat and Tears. It's always good to know that the truly good instrument players go on to do projects with others.

Sound quality on this video is good but not great (muffled bass drums at times) hence the 4 star rating. Anyone, however, who enjoys big band jazz and great drumming will appreciate this performance.

EI YI YI!.......2003-11-09

Check out the reviews for this DVD under "Louis Bellson and His Big Band" under VHS. There are some more accurate reviews. I have the vhs but the DVD has got to be better. Duke Elligton like material. Great-Great-Great soloist. And then you have the talents of Louis Bellson who has made an art/living out of making other people sound great. No video can compare to a live setting (that is unless your in the wrong seat,in an acoustically inferior place, the ladies boufant in front of you smells like dead fish and the prices were a tad high, which in that case the video is way better, but on rare occasions when everything is perfect-no comparison.)

What a disappointment!.......2003-09-14

The tunes are very weak; if these are Bellson's compositions, he has done much better than this. The band does not swing, mostly due to the uninspried arrangements.
This is Bellson in his prime, but playing far from his best.
There are some good solos by Geller,the Breckers, and Soloff.
Of all the great Bellson concerts that could have been filmed(especially with his West Coast Big Bands) why pick this one?

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