Product Details

• Actors: Louie Bellson, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Billy Cobham, Lew Soloff
• Directors: Stanley Dorfman
• Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: V.I.E.W. Video
• DVD Release Date: February 8, 2003
• Run Time: 105 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000083XJ1
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #162,217 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Crackling, straight-down-the-pike Big Band music. --Down Beat Magazine

Product Description

Jazz drummer Louie Bellson (1924 2009), the inventor of the two bass-drum kit, was famous for his memorable contributions to the Big Bands of Benny Goodman, Count Basie, and Tommy Dorsey. He also revitalized the Duke Ellington Band, where he became renowned as an arranger and composer, and toured for many years with his wife, singer Pearl Bailey During his distinguished career, he has recorded with Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Art Tatum, and Oscar Peterson, among others. Driving the band from the drums, Louie Bellson cemented his reputation leader who controls the performance, yet allows his musicians the creative freedom needed to constantly evolve the music.

For this special, live, concert DVD, entitled Louis Bellson and His Big Band, Bellson keeps up the Big Band tradition while exploring contemporary sounds by leading his Orchestra, which includes 18 of the finest performers and creative soloists on the musical scene, playing as a tightly knit ensemble. Recorded with eight cameras, this fantastic big band performance not only includes Louie Bellson's impeccable time keeping, vibrant soloing, and his renowned compositions and arrangements, but also features the innovative percussionist's unique musical vision that has made him one of the Jazz world's top drummers, on a level alongside the legendary Buddy Rich.

Selections include: 1. The Drum Squad, 2. Samantha, 3. Blues for Freddy, 4. Niles Ahead, 5. We've Come a Long Way Together, and 6. Explosion

The Louis Bellson Big Band includes:
Randy Brecker: Trumpet
Lew Soloff: Trumpet
Benny Bailey: Trumpet
Americo Belotto: Trumpet
Ack Van Rooyen: Trumpet
Michael Brecker: Tenor Saxophone
Herb Geller: Alto Saxophone
Howard Johnson: Baritone Saxophone
Andre Villeger: Alto Saxophone
Thomas Grunwald: Tenor Saxophone
Tom Malone: Trombone
Jiggs Whigham: Trombone
Hermann Breuer: Trombone
Rudi Fussers: Trombone
Gil Goldstein: Piano
Dean Brown: Guitar
Tim Landers: Bass
Louis Bellson: Drums

DVD BONUS FEATURES:
Bonus Video of Billy Cobham and Louie Bellson
Bonus Music from Randy and Michael Brecker
Louis Bellson Biography
Trivia and Fun Facts Subtitles
Instant Access to Over 35 Selections
Instant Access to Songs and Solos
Six Musicians Biography
Photo Gallery
Digital Dolby Stereo Audio
Digitally Mastered Audio & Video
Multi-Directional Interactive Menus

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EI YI YI!, November 8, 2003

By 

Terrence M. Davis "tmdavis21" (Salamanca, New York United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: LOUIE BELLSON and His Big Band (DVD)

Check out the reviews for this DVD under "Louis Bellson and His Big Band" under VHS. There are some more accurate reviews. I have the vhs but the DVD has got to be better. Duke Elligton like material. Great-Great-Great soloist. And then you have the talents of Louis Bellson who has made an art/living out of making other people sound great. No video can compare to a live setting (that is unless your in the wrong seat,in an acoustically inferior place, the ladies boufant in front of you smells like dead fish and the prices were a tad high, which in that case the video is way better, but on rare occasions when everything is perfect-no comparison.)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crackling, straight-down-the-pike Big Band music!, July 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Louie Bellson & His Big Band [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Phenomenal drum technician Louie Bellson, who revitalized the Duke Ellington Orchestra back in the 50s, leads his own group in this 1983 Swiss concert featuring the Breckers as well as expatriates Herb Geller and Benny Bailey. Down Beat called it "crackling, straight-down-the-pike Big Band music."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bellson the showman..., February 20, 2007

By 

stonewall "stonewall" (nh) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: LOUIE BELLSON and His Big Band (DVD)

There have always been just two drummers in my mind: Rich & Bellson. His original use of the double bass drum had such a unique sound and power that it enthralled me years ago when I first heard it on a Duke Ellington live concert, recorded in Seattle in 1952.

As much as I think Buddy Rich is the greatest I enjoy watching Louis Bellson for his showmanship. This video shows him really enjoying what he's doing and responding to the audience's appreciation of his prowess.

His accompanying band includes former members of groups such as the Average White Band and Blood Sweat and Tears. It's always good to know that the truly good instrument players go on to do projects with others.

Sound quality on this video is good but not great (muffled bass drums at times) hence the 4 star rating. Anyone, however, who enjoys big band jazz and great drumming will appreciate this performance.