Louie Bellson

Best known as a big band drummer with phenomenal technique, Louie Bellson is also credited with popularizing the use of double bass drums. During his career he worked with such leaders as Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey and played on many of Count Basie’s albums in the 1960’s and early 70s. He also led his own big band and was an active composer, clinician, and drum book author.

Starting in 1967 Bellson led his own big band, the Louie Bellson Explosion, which featured such prominent sidemen as Cat Anderson, Conte Candoli, Bobby Shew, Don Menza, and Pete Christlieb. In all, Bellson appeared on over 200 albums and was a six-time Grammy nominee. He was inducted into the PAS Hall of Fame in 1978 and Modern Drummer Hall of Fame 1985

Louis Bellson played Gretsch Drums from 1946 to 1961 using the world’s first double bass kit, a Gretsch Broadkaster.