Louis Bellson Collection
Span: 1943-1996
Bulk: 1950s-1970s
English
collection
66 boxes
Louis Bellson, one of the great jazz drummers of all time, became famous in the 1950's for using two bass drums simultaneously. He was also well known for his intense 15-minute drum solos, which he demonstrated in his performances with the bands of Benny Goodman (1943 and 1946), Tommy Dorsey (1947-1949), and Harry James (1950-1951), and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. In addition to being able to drive a big band to exciting effect, Bellson could play in a jazz trio with equal effectiveness. A talented composer, Bellson contributed "Skin Deep" and "The Hawk Talks" to Ellington's permanent repertoire. Bellson married Pearl Bailey in 1952 and the following year left Ellington to be Bailey's musical director.
Music manuscripts (scores & parts), printed music, photos, audio and video recordings, business papers, correspondence, diaries, scrapbooks, books.
Recorded sound materials transferred to M/B/RS.
No
Louis Bellson Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress
Bellson, Louis
Music, papers, and recordings of the great jazz drummer.
Researchers wishing to work with special collections are advised to inquire in advance about availability of material since many special collections are stored off-site.
Certain restrictions to use or copying of materials may apply.
Arrangers
Jazz Band Music
Drummers
Bellson, Louis
Bailey, Pearl
Basie, Count
Dorsey, Tommy
Goodman, Benny
Greer, Sonny
James, Harry
Krupa, Gene
Rich, Buddy
Duke Ellington Orchestra
Jazz at the Philharmonic
Performing Arts Encyclopedia
scdb
Music Division, Library of Congress
IHAS
120920
loc.natlib.scdb.200033662