Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni (July 6, 1924 – February 14, 2009), known by the stage name Louie Bellson (his own preferred spelling, although he is often seen in sources as Louis Bellson), was an American jazz drummer. He was a composer, arranger, bandleader, and jazz educator, and is credited with pioneering the use of two bass drums.Bellson was an internationally acclaimed artist who performed in most of the major capitals around the world. Bellson and his first wife, the actress and singer Pearl Bailey (married 1952–1990), had the second highest number of appearances at the White House (only Bob Hope had more). He was a vice president at Remo, a drum company.
February 14, 2009, Los Angeles, California, United States
Place Of Birth
Rock Falls, Illinois, USA
Profession
Music Department, Soundtrack, Actor
Spouse
Francine Bellson (m. 1992–2009), Pearl Bailey (m. 1952–1990)
Children
Dee Dee Belson, Tony Bellson
Star Sign
Cancer
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Fact
1
Inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 1978.
2
He pioneered the use of two bass drums instead of one.
3
Received a Jazz Masters Award from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1994; a Living Jazz Legends Award from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2007; a Jazz Living Legend Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers; and a American Drummers Achievement Award from the Avedis Zildjian Co.
4
Father of Dee Dee Belson. He passed away less than five months before her passing.
5
Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1993.
6
Jazz drummer.
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1972
TV Series musician - 260 episodes
The Pearl Bailey Show
1971
TV Series conductor
Carol Channing and Pearl Bailey: On Broadway
1969
TV Movie additional orchestrations - as Louis Bellson
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Playboy After Dark
1969
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall
1958
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Show Time at the Apollo
1955
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Lou Grant
1982
TV Series
Johnny Albert
A Song Is Born
1948
Drums
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Louie Bellson and His Big Band
2003
Video documentary
Composer, Drummer
Superdrumming
1987
Video documentary
Himself / Drums
Benny Goodman: Let's Dance - A Musical Tribute
1986
TV Movie
Himself (as Louis Bellson)
Great Vibes! Lionel Hampton & Friends
1982
TV Movie
Himself
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1969-1979
TV Series
Himself
All-Star Salute to Pearl Bailey
1979
TV Movie
Himself
The Mike Douglas Show
1971-1975
TV Series
Himself - Drummer / Himself - Jazz Drummer
The David Frost Show
1971
TV Series
Himself
This Is Your Life
1971
TV Series
Himself
Playboy After Dark
1969
TV Series
Himself
The Hollywood Palace
1964
TV Series
Himself - Drummer
The Lively Ones
1962
TV Series
Himself
The Ed Sullivan Show
1962
TV Series
Drummer
The Nat King Cole Show
1957
TV Series
Himself - Drummer
Rock 'n' Roll Revue
1955
Short
Himself
A.N.T.A. Album of 1955
1955
TV Movie
Himself
Sophisticated Lady
1952
Short
Himself - Drummer
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Savoy King: Chick Webb & the Music That Changed America
2012
Documentary
Himself
Known for movies
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1969-1979) as Music Department
Carol Channing and Pearl Bailey: On Broadway (1969) as Music Department
$1.4 Million
