Jazz Musician. Regarded by many as being one of the greatest drummers of his era, he worked with such legends as Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, and Harry James, during a career of more than 60 years. He was born Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni in Rock Falls, Illinois, and began to play the drums as a child. While a teen, he won a national contest held by Gene Krupa and joined Benny Goodman's band not long after. During the 1950s, Bellson gained wider recognition when he wrote and performed the pieces "Skin Deep" and "The Hawk Talks," while with Duke Ellington. Among the other notable artists Bellson recorded with are Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Sarah Vaughan, and Sammy Davis, Jr. He was married to Broadway performer Pearl Bailey.
Jazz Musician. Regarded by many as being one of the greatest drummers of his era, he worked with such legends as Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, and Harry James, during a career of more than 60 years. He was born Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni in Rock Falls, Illinois, and began to play the drums as a child. While a teen, he won a national contest held by Gene Krupa and joined Benny Goodman's band not long after. During the 1950s, Bellson gained wider recognition when he wrote and performed the pieces "Skin Deep" and "The Hawk Talks," while with Duke Ellington. Among the other notable artists Bellson recorded with are Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Sarah Vaughan, and Sammy Davis, Jr. He was married to Broadway performer Pearl Bailey.
Bio by: C.S.
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