Louie Bellson Interview by Monk Rowe - 4/12/1996 - Sarasota, FL

[@jeffreywegener8841]

Incredible. What a life - what a gentleman. So much history & he’s so down to earth & just full of ❤.

[@zroy9263]

I met the great Louie Bellson and his beautiful wife Francine, in front of Solley's deli in Sherman Oaks, CA, back in the early 2000s. Being a huge jazz fan, I recognized him, and he hugged me! I gave Francine my phone number, and I was fortunate enough to see him at numerous signings and events. Francine Bellson has kept in touch with me since. Louie was a beautiful man, with a wonderful soul. It was a pleasure being an acquaintance of this music legend. Louie was, and is, one of the greatest drummers in music history period! His playing with the great Louie Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald is my absolute favorite. One of my all-time favorite jazz songs is a solo by him called Jumping with Symphony Sid. RIP Mr.Bellson. I love you.

[@denisgrenier6221]

A great musician.

[@joecaroselli5858]

I did a drum clinic with Louie. He was such a warm, gracious, and unassuming man. Very kind. What a fantastic technician and all-around musician! I have great memories and such tremendous respect for Louie Bellson.

[@DaniloMarrone]

Maestro Bellson was the most awe-inspiring drummer I have ever had the pleasure to see (I saw him live on two separate occasions). After each show, he would come out to greet those who stayed behind. I shook his hand both times and he was equally gracious each time. He was the kindest and most genuine jazz master I have ever met. An inspiration and legend in every way.

[@roblabelle7874]

What a nice guy. I absolutely love Louis' drumming, such a nimble, light touch. All of those small group Pablo recordings he made with Basie in the '70s are gems.

[@adrianlyord5300]

Much respect to this MAN! I met him in Rock Falls Illinois , where he was born at a Tribute / Clinic for him, right before he passed away. Such a great Drummer and most importantly a gentleman who wasn't afraid to teach his skills to fellow Drummers! RIP Louie Bellson and thank you for sharing this video! 🎼🇱🇷😊

[@filliusjazzarchive]

Thanks Adrian for the comment. Louie Bellson was one of those musicians that you felt blessed just to be around him for while. Monk

[@josephsudlersr.7854]

Louie was the greatest band leader one could work for,a master drummer he gave me great inspiration during the 80s on our London gig tour and London gig album

[@amfm2662]

Greatest drummer and a great human being.

[@AgaPadar]

I love these informative interviews, which are not just interviews, but two intelligent people having an interesting conversation while we, the KZbin guests, are permitted to sit with them and listen. Thank you very much for this joy.

[@nemo227]

AgaPadar . . . very well expressed.

[@KCNYC]

Great interview, he asks pertinent questions and doesn’t interrupt Louie.

[@allancerf9038]

an absolute master of drums as bertatkin says - and and even greater gentleman.

[@RanBlakePiano]

Another super fine interview. Monk you are a fine listener

[@jimbrown1559]

Monk's interviews are always great, but Louie made this one VERY special. I learned so much from it, especially about Duke and Basie, but also about life and the scene. Louie was a very special person.

[@msorrent11]

Definitely my favorite Monk interview! Hearing Louie's stories of the Duke and Basie is legendary, but as a drummer hearing how his tap danincg influenced his double bass drum idea was so cool and put into context another tap dancer turned drummer: Steve Gadd

[@rubengreenberg2253]

A great interview with a great man.

[@garyleegomez1096]

Yeah! You Go, Louie! The man has a phenomenal memory! Met him at a drum clinic while I was in high school at Cronen's Music Store, we talked, etc. An incident happened during Q&A part. And 35yrs later at Winter Namm, I was last in line for autographs ( they closed it just behind me ) Louie leans to one side cking the line. Then he does it again looking directly at me and gives me a huge smile. We talked a bit( I was last in line), asked each how ya been, hugged,etc. Geez, 35yrs later and he even remembered my name!. THAT was the best thing at NAMM! Nothing else came even close!

[@filliusjazzarchive]

Terrific story! Monk

[@garyleegomez1096]

True story. Oh yeah. The "Incident" at the clinic. During the Q&A this kid pips up and tells Louie he's wrong when he was answering another's question on technique and execution, rather arrogantly and insist that his teacher is right. And then the impossible happened.... Louie got super-pissed and went off on him "you're telling ME how to play drums?" Your grandparents hadn't even met yet when I turned professional!" OMG, the entire room went as quiet as a tomb. Something about what the kid was saying sounded oddly familiar, I raised my hand just before Louie was about to tell a him again, "may I ask him a question?" Louie nodded, to the kid " Who is your instructor?" Answer : George H ( I won't give his last name, he's Japanese, btw). I started laughing, " Louie, pay him no mind, I know his instructor, who is a legend in his own mind." " Doesn't have a clue". Louie laughed, continued the clinic, kid left, red- faced after ." Yuppers, Louie got super-pissed, an unheard-of thing and impossible to do. Louie was a class act all the way. This happened in 1971. Back in The stone age

[@Gemashke]

Louie was so awesome!!

[@pneumatic00]

Even as he's telling the story of his career....it's impossible to imagine.

[@filliusjazzarchive]

I love the part where he talks about the band brotherhood with Ellington and the supportive fans who took them in.

[@chrisdennehy9425]

Pure class

[@KCNYC]

Louie makes me proud to be from Moline, Illinois. I took lessons from one of his students, also named Louis.

[@Alberto.R.Diaz.]

You can tell he's a gentleman just by the way he dresses

[@benmiddleton9984]

great guy, great drummer

[@biffdorkinton555]

This is treasure.

[@BertAtkin]

An absolute Master of the Drums.

[@jimvild8357]

Master musician who happens to be a master percussionist.