Louie Bellson
The Sacred Music of Louie Bellson
© 2006 Louie Bellson (837101112512)
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Ellington-inspired drummer-composer Louie Bellson in concert with Symphony, Big Band and Choir. USC Orchestras and Bobby Shew.
tracks
- 1 Lightning & Thunder
- 2 No One But God
- 3 He's the Lord
- 4 Jesus
- 5 Love
- 6 Love (Instrumental)
- 7 Thank You Lord
- 8 He's the One
- 9 New Lou
- 10 The Wailing Dove
- 11 Look At Me
- 12 Celebration
- 13 Celebration (Drums & Strings)
- 14 No One But God (Reprise)
- 15 Marriage Vows
- 16 Dream Sequence
- 17 Conflict
- 18 'Til Death Do Us Part
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(For newest CD, "Louie & Clark Expedition 2", go to link on sidebar below.)
THE SACRED MUSIC OF LOUIE BELLSON AND THE JAZZ BALLET
Louie Bellson was the featured percussionist in Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts of 1965. During that collaboration, Ellington encouraged drummer Bellson to compose and perform a sacred concert of his own. In The Sacred Music, composer Bellson combines the “voicings” of symphony, big band and choir into a thrilling rendition which has been hailed “a masterpiece” and “a spiritual celebration” by Bellson colleagues Tony Bennett, Della Reese and others.
The Jazz Ballet is based on the vows of holy matrimony. It features veteran trumpeter Bobby Shew who had performed it several times before. The work originally premiered in Las Vegas (1962) with none other than Dizzy Gillespie on trumpet.
Supporting musicians for both works were faculty and students of the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music Studio Jazz Band, Symphony String Orchestra and Choir.
The album contains a 20-page booklet of comprehensive liner notes written by renowned Ellington journalist and Bellson biographer Patricia Willard. Also included are photos of Bellson performing in 2000, 2002 and in 1965 with Duke Ellington and Lena Horne.
Appearances may be booked through bellson@remo.com.
BIO NOTES
Referred to by Duke Ellington as “not only the world’s greatest drummer...(but also) the world’s greatest musician!”, Louie Bellson has expressed himself on drums since age three. At 15, he pioneered the double bass drum set-up. At 17, he triumphed over 40,000 drummers to win the Gene Krupa drumming contest.
He has performed on more than 200 albums with such greats as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Woody Herman, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Louie Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, James Brown, Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Joe Williams, Wayne Newton and Bellson’s late wife Pearl Bailey.
Composer and author, he has written more than 1,000 compositions and more than a dozen books on drums and percussion. He received the prestigious American Jazz Masters Award from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1994. Also, he is a six-time Grammy nominee.
In 1998, Louie Bellson was hailed (along with Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones and Max Roach) as one of four “Living Legends of Music” when he received the American Drummers Achievement Award from the Zildjian Company.
Bellson holds four honorary doctorates, the most recent from DePaul University in 2001. In 2003, a historical land-marker was dedicated at his July 6, 1924 birth house in Rock Falls, Illinois, thus inaugurating their annual 4-day celebration in his honor.
The 2006 CD release of “The Sacred Music of Louie Bellson and the Jazz Ballet” amply showcases his mastery and breadth as both composer and performer.
In March, 2007, Bellson and 35 other jazz greats received the “Living Jazz Legends” Award from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC.
In June, 2007, ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) inducted Louie Bellson, Terry Gibbs and Dave Frishberg as Living Legends. ASCAP Jazz Wall of Fame ceremony, Jazz at the Lincoln Center, New York City. http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/jazzwall/2007/photos.html
--Francine Bellson, Artist Manager, 6/07
IN THE NEWS
JazzTimes article, Nov 2007 "Louie Bellson: The Go-To Guy" by Don Heckman
http://jazztimes.com/columns_and_features/table_of_contents/article_excerpts/index.cfm?article_id=18513
Christian Jazz Artists (CJA) Network Newsletter, Fall 2007 Featured Interview
http://www.songsofdavid.com/CJAFall2007featuredinterview.htm
Louie Bellson on the JazzWax Blog (Sept 10 & 11 entries) http://jazzwax.com
NEW CD AVAILABLE NOW!
Louie Bellson's new CD with Clark Terry, LOUIE & CLARK EXPEDITION 2.
Click sidebar link at left.
ANNOUNCING
The ONLY official Louie Bellson website.
http://www.LouieBellson.info Information, Events, Links, Bio, etc.
reviews
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A breathtaking experience
author: NICK BEAUCLERKA wonderful CD with some excellent playing from musicians of all ages and experience - a truly wonderful merger of talents - young and old
Highly appropriate vehicle to transport the listener to other forms.
author: Bruce Crowther's Website - CD ReviewsThese are remarkable compositions by master drummer Louie Bellson. The first of these works was inspired by Duke Ellington's sacred works, which Louie played while a member of Ellington's band. Additionally, Louie was encouraged by Ellington to write this music. The works are performed here by Louie with students of the University of Southern California, the Thornton School of Music Jazz Band, and the Symphony String Orchestra and Choir. The music is commanding and inspired and the playing matches the needs of the music in every respect. Throughout this fascinating CD there is much that appeals to the ear and to the mind and will be welcomed by those who appreciate not only this very fine musician but also to those for whom jazz can be a highly appropriate vehicle to transport the listener to other forms. Released on 1 June 2006, this is warmly recommended set. --Bruce Crowther, Jazz...and other Obsessions, 2006
Spine-tingling majesty ... swinging big band grooves
author: JazzTimes MagazineWith the impulse among Baptists (at least, the Southern wing I know) to water down the music for worship services these days, it’s bracing to hear a revival of some good old orchestral and choral fire and brimstone (not leaving out the love component, of course) with this album. Like Duke Ellington, John Coltrane and Dave Brubeck before him, Bellson takes a grand approach to expressing his Christian faith. The drummer, who played on Ellington’s Sacred Concerts in 1965, recorded this album in 2000 using faculty and students from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music Studio Jazz Band, Symphony String Orchestra and Choir. The 14-part “Sacred Music” ranges from bombastic opener “Lightning and Thunder” to the spine-tingling majesty of “No One But God” and the swinging big band grooves of “He’s the Lord” and “New Lou.” There are vocal harmonies reminiscent of the Hi-Lo’s and the Four Freshmen along the way, along with pure-toned soloists in the classical tradition bringing Bellson’s lyrics to life. Precise, crisp, springy solos by the drummer pop up here and there, a reminder of his swing-era tours and recordings with the big bands of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James and others. Bellson’s four-part “The Jazz Ballet,” subtitled “Marriage Vows,” premiered in 1962 at the Las Vegas Jazz Festival with trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie as the featured soloist. Here, the lyrical and swinging Bobby Shew takes over. The arrangements reflect a stricter jazz orientation than “Sacred Music” and occasionally suggest some of the ’60s concert writing of Bob Brookmeyer, Gil Evans and Gary McFarland, among others. -Owen Cordle, JazzTimes 9/2006
Swinging orchestral score... luxurious album... dynamic sensations
author: Ejazz NewsA mixture of highly sacred music and swinging praise dedicated to God the Creator is the mode of this luxurious album. The confluence of these diverse musical ideas merges into a statement that joyfully stands on its own merits. From Jazzy themes to the thunder and lightning of heavenly and spiritual messages this album runs the gamut of both in spectacular fashion. One can feel the intensity of the mighty hand of God in this music as well as the swinging orchestral score that puts an exclamation point to this tribute to Bellson's faith. This recording has all of the emotional elements that carry the listener to new heights and dynamic sensations. It is a spiritual celebration, as Della Reese so aptly puts it. 5 Stars --posted by John Gilbert, 5/9/06