Another sad loss on the music scene was the death earlier this week of the eminent drummer Louis Bellson. To prepare this tribute, I pulled down from the shelves a very early Bellson recording as a leader - an item I hadn't played as yet. What a pleasure it was to hear this dynamic band and the tremendous momentum Bellson generated behind his massive drum kit.
Here's the lineup: Harry Edison, Maynard Ferguson, Conrad Gozzo, Ray Linn (tp), Hoyt Bohannon, Herb Harper, Tommy Pederson (tb), Benny Carter, Willie Smith (as), Wardell Gray, Bumps Myers (ts), Bob Lawson (bar), Jimmy Rowles (p), and Barney Kessel (g).
On one item ("Loris"), the big band is replaced by an excellent small group consisting of Don Elliott (mellophone), Ralph Martin (p), Joe Puma (g), and Bob Petersen (b).
The recordings are from 1953 (big band) and 1954. This 10-inch LP is called The Exciting Louis Bellson on the front, and The Exciting Mr. Bellson and His Big Band on the back and label. The pieces on this record were later combined with more sides by the small group to form a 12-inch LP called Skin Deep.
The sound on this LP was rather cramped; I've done my best to give it some breathing room.
