Misplaced Pages

#635364

38-464: Over the years, "Jazz at the Philharmonic" featured many of the era's preeminent musicians, including Louie Bellson , Ray Brown , Benny Carter , Nat King Cole , Sonny Criss , Buddy DeFranco , Harry "Sweets" Edison , Roy Eldridge , Herb Ellis , Ella Fitzgerald , Stan Getz , Dizzy Gillespie , Lionel Hampton , Bill Harris , Coleman Hawkins , J. C. Heard , Billie Holiday , Helen Humes ,

76-475: A compliment by asking him to lead his band on tour while he (Rich) was temporarily disabled by a back injury. Bellson accepted. On February 14, 2009, Bellson died at age 84 from complications of a broken hip suffered in December 2008 and Parkinson's disease . He was remembered by The Mercury News as, "the legendary San Jose drummer and band leader who played with jazz greats for more than six decades." He

114-625: A dozen books on drums and percussion. He was at work with his biographer on a book chronicling his career and bearing the same name as one of his compositions, "Skin Deep". In addition, "The London Suite" (recorded on his album Louie in London ) was performed at the Hollywood Pilgrimage Bowl before a record-breaking audience. The three-part work includes a choral section in which a 12-voice choir sings lyrics penned by Bellson. Part One

152-618: A drum company. He was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1985. Bellson was born in Rock Falls, Illinois , in 1924, where his father owned a music store. He started playing drums at three years of age. While still a young child, Bellson's father moved the family and music store to Moline, Illinois . At 15, he pioneered using two bass drums at the same time, a technique he invented in his high school art class. At age 17, he triumphed over 40,000 drummers to win

190-495: A leader for Norgran Records and Verve Records . Over the years, his sidemen included Ray Brown , Pete and Conte Candoli , Chuck Findley , John Heard , Roger Ingram , Don Menza , Blue Mitchell , Larry Novak , Nat Pierce , Frank Rosolino , Bobby Shew , Clark Terry , and Snooky Young . In an interview in 2005 with Jazz Connection magazine, he cited as influences Jo Jones , Sid Catlett , and Chick Webb . "I have to give just dues to two guys who really got me off on

228-802: A physicist and engineer at MIT , became his manager. The union lasted until his death. Dee Dee Bellson died on July 4, 2009, at age 49, within five months of her father. With Count Basie With Count Basie and Zoot Sims With James Brown With Benny Carter With Buddy Collette With Duke Ellington With Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong With Herb Geller With Dizzy Gillespie With Stephane Grappelli With Johnny Hodges With Harry James With Oscar Peterson With Mel Powell With Linda Ronstadt With Sonny Stitt With Toni Tennille With The Trumpet Kings With Big Joe Turner With Sarah Vaughan With Ben Webster With Joe Williams Fantasy Records Fantasy Records

266-622: A sensation. The title of the concert had been shortened by the printer of the advertising supplements from "A Jazz Concert at the Philharmonic Auditorium" to "Jazz at the Philharmonic". Norman Granz organized the concert with about $ 300 of borrowed money. Only one copy of the first concert program is known to exist. Jazz tenor saxophonist Flip Phillips played at all the JATP concerts from 1946 to 1957. Norman Granz recorded many JATP concerts, and sold or leased (from 1945 to 1947)

304-515: A series of failed releases under that name on the Fantasy and Scorpio labels, the group changed its name to Creedence Clearwater Revival. In 1968, it released its first hit record, a cover version of the song " Susie Q ". In 1971, Fantasy built its headquarters at the corner of Tenth and Parker in Berkeley, California. The building was nicknamed "The House That Creedence Built". In 2004, Fantasy

342-487: A wedding gift; at the time, Zaentz was marrying Mingus's ex-wife, Celia, who had helped found Debut with Mingus and musician Max Roach . After an unsuccessful attempt by Audio Fidelity Records to buy Fantasy, Zaentz became president in 1967. He and a group of investors bought Fantasy from the Weiss brothers that year. He then acquired Prestige Records (1971), Riverside (1972), and Milestone (1972). Ralph Kaffel, who

380-476: Is an American independent record label company founded by brothers Max and Sol Stanley Weiss in 1949. The early years of the company were dedicated to issuing recordings by jazz pianist Dave Brubeck , who was also one of its investors, but in more recent years the label has been known for its recordings of comedian Lenny Bruce , jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi , the last recordings made on the Wurlitzer organ in

418-416: Is based on the vows of Holy Matrimony..." On December 5, 1971, he took part in a memorial concert at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall for drummer Frank King. This tribute show also featured Buddy Rich and British drummer Kenny Clare . The orchestra was led by Irish trombonist Bobby Lamb and American trombonist Raymond Premru . A few years later, Rich (often called the world's greatest drummer) paid Bellson

SECTION 10

#1732786930636

456-534: Is buried next to his father in Riverside Cemetery, Moline, Illinois . As a prolific creator of music, both written and improvised, his compositions and arrangements (in the hundreds) embrace jazz, jazz/rock/fusion, romantic orchestral suites, symphonic works and a ballet. Bellson was also a poet and a lyricist. His only Broadway venture, Portofino (1958), was a resounding flop that closed after three performances. As an author, he published more than

494-573: Is sometimes called The First Sacred Concert. Ellington called these concerts "the most important thing I have ever done." Bellson's album The Sacred Music of Louie Bellson and the Jazz Ballet appeared in 2006. In May 2009, Francine Bellson told The Jazz Joy and Roy syndicated radio show, "I like to call (Sacred) 'how the Master used two maestros,'" adding, "When (Ellington) did his sacred concert back in 1965 with Louie on drums, he told Louie that

532-708: Is the band's rousing "Carnaby Street", a collaboration with Jack Hayes. In 1987, at the Percussive Arts Society convention in Washington, D.C., Bellson and Harold Farberman performed a major orchestral work titled "Concerto for Jazz Drummer and Full Orchestra", the first piece ever written specifically for jazz drummer and full symphony orchestra. This work was recorded by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in England, and

570-625: The British Invasion . Still later, it had a subsidiary named Reality Records that concentrated on hip hop and released the first two albums by Doug E. Fresh . Vince Guaraldi proved a stand-out when he joined the company in 1955. His most famous contributions to Fantasy were his compositions involved in the film adaptations of the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz . This association began with Guaraldi's album, Jazz Impressions of A Boy Named Charlie Brown , which contained music he created for an unsold television documentary of

608-538: The Modern Jazz Quartet , Illinois Jacquet , J. J. Johnson , Hank Jones , Jo Jones , Barney Kessel , Kenny Kersey , Gene Krupa , Lou Levy , Meade Lux Lewis , Shelly Manne , Fats Navarro , Charlie Parker , Oscar Peterson , Flip Phillips , Buddy Rich , Charlie Shavers , Willie Smith , Sonny Stitt , Slim Gaillard , Clark Terry , Tommy Turk , T-Bone Walker , Ben Webster , Lee Young , Lester Young , and Trummy Young . The very first concert

646-552: The Slingerland National Gene Krupa contest. After graduating from Moline High School in 1942, he worked with big bands throughout the 1940s, with Benny Goodman , Tommy Dorsey , Harry James , and Duke Ellington . In 1952, he married jazz singer Pearl Bailey . During the 1950s, he played with the Dorsey Brothers, Jazz at the Philharmonic, acted as Bailey's music director, and recorded as

684-724: The 2004 event celebrating his 80th birthday, Bellson said, "I'm not that old; I'm 40 in this leg, and 40 in the other leg." He celebrated his birthday every year at the River Music Experience in Davenport, Iowa . Bellson was voted into the Halls of Fame for Modern Drummer magazine, in 1985, and the Percussive Arts Society, in 1978. Yale University named him a Duke Ellington Fellow in 1977. He received an honorary doctorate from Northern Illinois University in 1985. He performed his original concert – Tomus I, II, III – with

722-742: The Australian Coronet Records or the New York City-based Coronet Records of the late 1950s). Sheedy's Coronet Records had recorded area Dixieland bands. But he was unable to pay his bills, and in 1949 he turned his masters over to a pressing company, the Circle Record Company, which was owned by Max and Sol Weiss. The Weiss brothers changed the name of their business to Fantasy Records and met an increasing demand for Brubeck's music by recording and issuing new records. The company

760-491: The San Francisco Fox Theatre before the theatre was demolished, organist Korla Pandit , the 1960s rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival , bandleader Woody Herman , and Disco/R&B singer Sylvester . In 1949, Jack Sheedy, owner of a San Francisco-based record label called Coronet, was talked into making the first recording of an octet and a trio featuring Dave Brubeck (not to be confused with either

798-703: The Washington Civic Symphony in historic Constitution Hall in 1993. A combination of full symphony orchestra, big-band ensemble and 80-voice choir, "Tomus" was a collaboration of music by Bellson and lyrics by his late wife, Pearl Bailey. Bellson was a nine-time Grammy Award nominee. In January 1994, Bellson received the NEA Jazz Masters Award from the National Endowment for the Arts . As one of three recipients, he

SECTION 20

#1732786930636

836-468: The catalogues of his earlier labels, Clef Records and Norgran Records, as well as material previously licensed to Mercury Records) to MGM Records for $ 3.1 million. In the 1970s, Granz kept the spirit of the JATP alive on his many jam session style records for his Pablo label (founded 1973), also used for previously unissued JATP concerts. In 1987, he sold Pablo to Fantasy Records . The JATP concerts featured swing and bebop musicians. They were among

874-547: The drums – Big Sid Catlett and Jo Jones. They were my influences. All three of us realized what Jo Jones did and it influenced a lot of us. We all three looked to Jo as the 'Papa' who really did it. Gene helped bring the drums to the foreground as a solo instrument. Buddy was a great natural player. But we also have to look back at Chick Webb's contributions, too." During the 1960s, he returned to Ellington's orchestra for Emancipation Proclamation Centennial stage production, My People in and for A Concert of Sacred Music , which

912-585: The first high-profile performances to feature racially integrated bands, and Granz cancelled some bookings rather than have the musicians perform for segregated audiences. JATP Tours - USA and Canada (1945–1957): After the JATP concerts in the fall of 1957, "Jazz at the Philharmonic" ceased touring the United States and Canada (with the exception of one final North American Tour in 1967), but continued intermittently mainly in Europe and Japan until 1983, with

950-888: The last JATP concerts being performed in October, 1983, in Tokyo, Japan. Recordings held by Verve Records of the first five years (1944–1949) of JATP have been issued in a Deluxe 10-CD Box Set. The Jazz at the Philharmonic recordings were selected by the Library of Congress as a 2010 addition to the National Recording Registry , which selects recordings annually that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". Louie Bellson Louie Bellson (born Luigi Paolino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni , July 6, 1924 – February 14, 2009), often seen in sources as Louis Bellson , although he himself preferred

988-467: The recordings to Asch/Disc/Stinson Records (record producer Moses Asch 's labels). Later, from 1948 to 1953, Granz leased the Jazz at the Philharmonic recordings to Mercury Records , and later issued/reissued them on Norgran (founded 1953), from 1953 on Clef (founded 1946), and from 1956 on Verve (founded 1956), which at the time, were his own labels. In 1961, Granz sold Verve (which by then had absorbed

1026-523: The release of Live at El Matador (a collaboration with guitarist Bola Sete ). Saul Zaentz's acquisitions had been funded in part by the success of the rock group Creedence Clearwater Revival , a group that he had managed. Creedence was signed by Fantasy Records in 1964 as the Blue Velvets, but the label renamed it the Golliwogs so it would fit in with the bands of the British Invasion . After

1064-607: The sacred concerts were based on 'in-the-beginning,' the first three words of the Bible." She recalled how Ellington explained to Louie that "in the beginning there was lightning and thunder and that's you!" Ellington exclaimed, pointing out that Louie's drums were the thunder. Both Ellington and Louie, says Mrs. Bellson, were deeply religious. "Ellington told Louie, 'You ought to do a sacred concert of your own' and so it was," said Bellson, adding, "'The Sacred Music of Louie Bellson' combines symphony, big band and choir, while 'The Jazz Ballet'

1102-405: The same name , but became most famous with the hailed soundtrack of the classic Christmas special , A Charlie Brown Christmas , the album of which itself has become a perennial Christmas best-seller. This success would lead to numerous other Peanuts compositions for the rest of Guaraldi's career, selections of which were subsequently released by Fantasy. Guaraldi departed Fantasy in 1966 after

1140-477: The spelling Louie, 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 and his wife, actress and singer Pearl Bailey (married from 1952 until Bailey's death in 1990), had the second highest number of appearances at the White House (only Bob Hope had more). Bellson was a vice president at Remo ,

1178-518: Was held on Sunday, July 2, 1944, at the Philharmonic Auditorium , Los Angeles , and featured Illinois Jacquet , Jack McVea , J. J. Johnson , Shorty Sherock , Nat King Cole , Les Paul , Johnny Miller, Meade Lux Lewis , Bumps Myers , Joe Sullivan , Buddy Rich , Randall Miller , Bud Hatch , Marie Bryant , Red Callender , Lee Young , and Carolyn Richards . Illinois Jacquet, Nat King Cole and Les Paul, in particular, created

Jazz at the Philharmonic - Misplaced Pages Continue

1216-430: Was known for its unique colored-vinyl pressings. Monaural records were pressed in red vinyl while stereo pressings were pressed in blue. Later stereo pressings were red vinyl with a blue label. Eventually the company switched to black vinyl for all pressings and the label design went through several revisions as well. In 1955, Saul Zaentz joined the company. Jazz musician Charles Mingus gave Debut Records to Zaentz as

1254-547: Was lauded by NEA chair Jane Alexander, who said, "These colossal talents have helped write the history of jazz in America." On November 19, 1952, Bellson married American actress and singer Pearl Bailey , in London. Bellson and Bailey adopted a son, Tony, in the mid-1950s, and a daughter, Dee Dee (born April 20, 1960). After Bailey's death in 1990, Bellson married Francine Wright in September 1992. Wright, who had trained as

1292-558: Was released by the Swedish label BIS . Bellson was known throughout his career to conduct drum and band clinics at high schools, colleges and music stores. Bellson maintained a tight schedule of clinics and performances of both big bands and small bands in colleges, clubs and concert halls. In between, he continued to record and compose, resulting in more than 100 albums and more than 300 compositions. Bellson's Telarc debut recording, Louie Bellson And His Big Band: Live From New York ,

1330-532: Was released in June 1994. He also created new drum technology for Remo , of which he was vice-president. Bellson received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 1985 at Northern Illinois University . As of 2005, among other performing activities, Bellson had visited his home town of Rock Falls, Illinois, every July for Louie Bellson Heritage Days, a weekend in his honor close to his July 6 birthday, with receptions, music clinics and other performances by Bellson. At

1368-572: Was sold to a consortium led by American television writer, producer, and activist Norman Lear and merged with Concord Records to create Concord Music Group . Although some operations were still located in Berkeley, the label was later headquartered at the Concord location in Beverly Hills, California . Shortly after Fantasy was purchased by Concord, John Fogerty , the lead singer and songwriter of Creedence Clearwater Revival, re-signed with

1406-447: Was soon shipping 40,000 to 50,000 copies of Brubeck records per quarter. When Brubeck signed with Fantasy, he believed he had 50 percent interest in the company. He worked as an unofficial artists and repertoire ( A&R ) assistant, encouraging the Weiss brothers to sign Gerry Mulligan , Chet Baker , and Red Norvo . When he discovered that all he owned was 50 percent of his own recordings, he signed with Columbia Records . Fantasy

1444-408: Was vice-president of Fantasy from 1971, became president in 1973. He continued the policy of acquisitions: Stax Records (1977), Good Time Jazz (1984), Contemporary (1984), Pablo (1986), Specialty (1991), Kicking Mule (1995), and Takoma (1995). Fantasy's first subsidiary was Galaxy Records in 1951. Years later, it started the short-lived subsidiary Scorpio, which tried to capitalize on

#635364