LOUIE BELLSON

LOUIE BELLSON

LIVE IN NEW YORK

At 71, Louie Bellson on this CD displays more energy than most drummers half his age. Bellson not only takes solos on more than half the selections (including a lengthy workout on "Santos"), but he composed all seven originals; the only surprise is that Bellson decided to let some of his musical friends (including Matt Catingub, Tommy Newsom, and Bob Florence) arrange the charts instead of writing them himself. With concise solos from such sidemen as trumpeters Marvin Stamm and Glenn Drewes, tenorman Ted Nash, altoists Joe Roccisano and Steve Wilson, and trombonist Keith O'Quinn, Bellson's music is given perfectly suitable interpretations. But just in case, the equally ageless flügelhornist Clark Terry (at 75) stars on two songs, including the exquisite ballad "Blow Your Horn." With Louie Bellson constantly driving the ensembles, this is a big band disc well worth acquiring.

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow

Harvie Swartz

Bass

Louie Bellson

Composer, Drums, Performer, Piano, Primary Artist

Clark Terry

Flugelhorn, Guest Artist

Ted Nash

Guest Artist, Sax (Tenor)

Marvin Stamm

Guest Artist, Trumpet

Patricia Willard

Liner Notes

Derek Smith

Piano

John Snyder

Producer

Joe Roccisano

Sax (Alto)

Steve Wilson

Sax (Alto)

Jack Stuckey

Sax (Baritone)

Scott Robinson

Sax (Tenor)

Herb Besson

Trombone, Trombone (Bass)

Michael Davis

Trombone

Larry Farrell

Trombone

Keith O'Quinn

Trombone

Danny Cahn

Trumpet

Glenn Drewes

Trumpet

Robert Millikan

Trumpet

Daryl Shaw

Trumpet

Darryl Shawl

Trumpet