Louie Bellson RIP

Sad news indeed; the powerhouse behind Duke's only UK hit single (the brilliant "Skin Deep") but so much more.

The album he and Oliver Nelson (who got his first big break in Bellson's band) did with James Brown - Soul On Top - isn't mentioned in the obituary above but it's a brilliant piece of work; one of JB's finest long players.

Dude was sampled by the Beastie Boys on "Shake Your Rump" I think.

I've got some charity shop LP where he does a good version of "Ode to Billie Joe".

RIP.

There was some discussion of this on the Rolling jazz thread, but he's certainly worthy of a thread of his own

"If you don't want to play, tell a joke or dance" Jazz D-Bags Thread 2009

So many recent musician deaths-Bellson, Joe Cuba, Snooks Eaglin, Cachaito, Chuck Bennett(Link Wray's bass player)

RIP

my college jazz band played with him, and it was one of the funnest concerts ever

Didn't see this. Saw him with Clark Terry about 15 years ago. Unfortunately, dude played an interminable drum solo that led to my cursing his name for years afterward. RIP, though.

didn't see the thread but someone on another board i go to posted this awesome drum battle between louie and buddy rich, so much fun. wow those dudes could PLAY.