Videos
Watch Video Clips Here!
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At the Movies w/ Louie Bellson 
Drum Cookies and start clicking!
Video Qty to date: 19 & growing!
“Skin Deep”
From Pete York's Super Drumming series Volume 1, 1987/88.
I came across this video of Louie playing "Skin Deep" (viewed best on fullscreen).
It's the most detailed videography of Louie I've ever seen! --Mrs. B
“The Hawk Talks”
Louie Bellson with Duke Ellington Orchestra, 1952/5
Louie Bellson composed "The Hawk Talks" while in the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
“Paducah”
Bellson w/ Carmen Miranda & Benny Goodman in The Gang's All Here (1943)
Louie is best seen at 1:25 and from 2:00 - 2:40 and 3:00 - 3:50. But just sit back and enjoy the whole lavish Busby Berkeley extravaganza!
Buddy Rich Meets Louis Bellson
The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson
Drum battle playing "Groovin' Hard" - Composition/Arrangement by Don Menza.
"Why Don't You Do Right?"
Louie Bellson, Peggy Lee, Benny Goodman Band, Stage Door Canteen, 1943
From the 1943 film, Stage Door Canteen. Notice Bellson’s fancy stick twirls over Goodman's shoulder (:26) at the beginning. (Pretty confident stuff for those "1-take and shoot" times, wouldn't you say?)
"The Louie Bellson Song"
Composed & performed by bassist Jay Leonhart, The Bass Lesson, 2003
Longtime Bellson friend bassist Jay Leonhart relates a confrontational incident at a society gig where the Louie Bellson Band was playing.
(Liked that? You should obtain the full DVD.)
The Bass Lesson - DVD Jay Leonhart's one man musical comedy as shown on PBS. Jay plays the bass and sings his songs. Click here to buy the DVD/CD thru CD Baby.com.
"That's How Jazz Was Born"
Louie Bellson, Benny Goodman, et. al., A Song Is Born, 1948
Watch young Louie Bellson (23) back Virginia Mayo and Louis Armstrong in this clip from the 1948 film, A Song Is Born, playing "That's How Jazz was Born."
"Stealin' Apples"
Louie Bellson, Benny Goodman, et. al., A Song Is Born, 1948
Watch clip from the 1948 film, A Song Is Born. Bellson is playing drums in the background on "Stealin' Apples". (Text by permission from JazzWax.com 9-10-07)
"All the Cats Join In"
Benny Goodman Band, Make Mine Music circa 1944.
Bellson provides the drumming with Benny Goodman & the Pied Pipers for this delightful clip from the Disney animated film Make Mine Music Enjoy! (Animator: Fred Moore)
“Minnie's In the Money”
Louie Bellson with Benny Goodman Orchestra in The Gang's All Here (1943)
Dig Bellson, age 19, drumming behind Benny Goodman's "Minnie's in the Money" from The Gang's All Here, directed by Busby Berkeley (1943). Check the "LB" on the drums above the "BG". Dy-no-mite dancing!!
American Idol -- (Well, sort of!)
QUESTION: What drummer was idolized by Louie Bellson? ANSWER: Animal!
Animal Super Drum Solo
Animal Interviewed by Kermit
“Everything’s Coming Up Roses” Drum Solo
Louie Bellson & his Big Band Explosion from the Cork Jazz Festival 1980, play his solo from the Explosion album. Says the fan posting this video, "In terms of power and sheer stamina, Louie was the man!"
“Don’t Be That Way”
Louie Bellson with Benny Goodman Orchestra, 1985
Let's Dance - Don't Be That Way, Oct 7, 1985 at the New York Marriott Marquis. Clarinet:Benny Goodman Piano:Dick Hyman Drums:Louis Bellson Bass:Bob Haggart Guitar:James Chirillo Tenor Sax:Ken Peplowski, Loren Schoenberg Alto Sax:Chuck Wilson, Jack Stuckey Baritone Sax:Danny Bank Trombone:Eddie Bert, Bobby Pring, Matt Finders Trumpet:Paul Cohen, Randy Sandke, John Eckert, Laurie Frink.
Clark Terry & Louie Bellson: Improv Workshop
Louie Bellson with Clark Terry at Tri-C Jazz Fest, Cleveland, 1985
Trumpeter Clark Terry and Percussionist Louie Bellson discuss improvisation and demonstrate the importance of listening/playing musically within a group.
Dr. Thom Horning, Moderator; Willard Jenkins, Producer.
Bellson plays his Custom Billy Gladstone Snare Drum
Bellson giving a clinic at the Hollywood Vintage Drum Show, 1999
Louie Bellson, Pearl Bailey and Arthur Fiedler
Bellson & wife Pearl Bailey perform at the The Boston Pops Orchestra, 1975
2. "Cabaret"
Louie Bellson Big Band Explosion plays "Carnaby Street"
From March 18, 1983 TV show "Pearl Bailey & Friends," featuring Louie & Pearl, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, tap-dancer Charles 'Honi' Coles, et. al. (recorded at Centre College, Danville, KY)
Tip: Must turn volume up on this one.
Louie Bellson Trio, Milt Hinton, bass, George Wein, piano
Berne Jazz Festival, Berne Switzerland, 1994
NAMM Interview - In His Own Words
Louie Bellson was interviewed as one of the first subjects of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Oral History Program.
(To watch 4:40 video, click photo)--->
. . . . . . . . . . . . . COMING ATTRACTIONS . . . . . . . . . .
(More titles coming as I have time to enter them. --Mrs. B.)
Know of other (legal) Bellson videoclips online? If so, send the link to bellson_1@att.net for our consideration. Thanks.