Sep 3, 2025 12:02 PM
Keeping the Flame at Van Gelder Studio
On the last Sunday of 2024, in the control room of Van Gelder Studio, Don and Maureen Sickler, co-owners since Rudy Van…
Louie Bellson, known for his dynamic big band drumming, died Feb. 14 in Los Angeles. He had been hospitalized in late January due to a broken hip. He was 84.
Bellson was known for his dynamic big band drumming. He was born in Rock Falls, Ill., on July 26, 1924. His early professional career included a variety of big band stints with, in succession, Benny Goodman (1943, 1946), Tommy Dorsey (1947-‘49) and Harry James (1950-‘51). In 1950, Bellson and former Dorsey bandmate Charlie Shavers co-led a sextet. During 1951-‘53, the drummer joined the Duke ElIington band, replacing Sonny Greer. While with the Duke, Bellson also composed some material that has stood the test of time as Ellington features: “Skin Deep” and “The Hawk Talks.” In 1952, Bellson Married singer Pearl Bailey, with whom he worked as her musical director over the next few years, leading his own band.
Bellson also became a member of the Jazz at the Philharmonic aggregate during different periods (1955, 1967 and 1972). During the mid ‘50s, he rejoined the Dorsey band (1955-‘56), and again in 1964. Big band gigs continued in the ‘60s with Ellington (1965-‘66) and James (1966).
Over the past 40 years, Bellson also developed a reputation as an educator, and leader his own big bands and small groups, serving as one of its principal arrangers. He continued to perform through last year.
Don and Maureen Sickler serve as the keepers of engineer Rudy Van Gelder’s flame at Van Gelder Studio, perhaps the most famous recording studio in jazz history.
Sep 3, 2025 12:02 PM
On the last Sunday of 2024, in the control room of Van Gelder Studio, Don and Maureen Sickler, co-owners since Rudy Van…
Trio aRT with its avalanche of instrumentation: from left, Pheeroan akLaff, Scott Robinson and Julian Thayer.
Sep 3, 2025 12:03 PM
Trio aRT, a working unit since 1988, shockingly released its very first studio recording this summer. Recorded in…
“Think of all the creative people I’m going to meet and a whole other way of thinking about music and a challenge of singing completely different material than I would have sung otherwise to my highest level in dedication to the moment,” Elling says about his Broadway run.
Sep 9, 2025 1:18 PM
Kurt Elling was back at home in Chicago, grabbing some family time in a late-June window between gigs. Sporting a smile…
Pat Metheny will perform with his Side-Eye III ensemble at Big Ears 2026 in Knoxville, Tennessee, next March.
Sep 9, 2025 12:19 PM
Big Ears has announced the lineup for its 2026 festival, which will take place March 26–29 and include 250…
Mark Masters, right, with Billy Harper.
Sep 3, 2025 12:00 PM
The Rising Star Category of this publication’s annual Critics Poll was once called Talent Deserving Wider Recognition…
