Louie Bellson

Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni (born in Rock Falls, Illinois 1924), who performs as Louie Bellson, is an American jazz drummer. He is one of the few jazz drummers to be considered a worthy rival for

Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni (born in Rock Falls, Illinois 1924), who performs as Louie Bellson, is an American jazz drummer. He is one of the few jazz drummers to be considered a worthy rival for Buddy Rich.

Between 1943 and 1952, Bellson performed with Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, and Duke Ellington (for whom he wrote "Skin Deep" and "The Hawk Talks"). In 1952 he married Pearl Bailey and left Ellington to be her musical director. Later in the 1950s and 60s he performed with Jazz at the Philharmonic, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Count Basie, Ellington again, and James again, as well as appearing on several Ella Fitzgerald studio albums.