Louis Bellson

Italian-American jazz drummer, composer, arranger, bandleader, and jazz educator

Born 6 July 1924 in Rock Falls, Illinois, died 14 February 2009 in Los Angeles, California

Married to singer [a=Pearl Bailey] (1952 -1990, her death)

Married to producer [a=Francine Bellson] (1992-2009, his death)

Older brother of drummer [a7769808]. Father of jazz singer [a=Dee Dee Bellson]

Credited with pioneering the use of two bass drums, a set-up he already used at the age of 15. He received the prestigious Jazz Masters Award from the US National Endowment of the Arts in 1994 and was made a “Living Legend” by the Kennedy Centre in 2007.