Louie Bellson, Drums, 1924, Rock Falls, Il
In 1940 Louie was the winner of a nationwide drumming contest that was sponsored by Gene Krupa Louie was such a dynamic drummer, he was able to work with Benny Goodman's band while still in his teens. From 1946, after completing his military service, it took only a short time befor he was working with major big-bands such as Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Count Basie and especially Duke Ellington. Some of Bellson's early arrangements were performed by Ellington, and he worked continuously with Duke from 1951 to 1953, and over the years returned occasionally for special performances. Bellson took part in Ellington's first "Sacred Concert", and also recorded "Drum Is A Woman" with Duke. From the mid '60s, Louie worked mainly as music director for his wife, Pearl Bailey, and as leader of his own highly successful big-band. His sidemen always included some of the most prominent jazz musicians available. During the late '70s and into the '80s Bellson was activeas a teacher in jazz workshops at many universities. Louie's dynamic and precise technique has placed him, with Buddy Rich, among the most popular and sought-after big-band drummers of the post-swing period. He is best-known for his strong ensemble playing and his excellent work with the two pedal-operated bass drums. Besides contributing many of the charts for his own bands, he also wrote a jazz ballet, "The Marriage Vows" (1962), and other pieces for jazz groups and symphony orchestra.
Erskine Hawkins, Trumpet, 1914, Birmingham, Al
Erskine started taking drum lessons when only 7 years old, and switched to trombone when he was 13, and a short time later, the trumpet. While attending Alabama State Teachers College, he was named leader of the college band, "Bama State Collegians". He made his move to New York around 1934, where he worked with limited success. In the late '30s, with his own orchestra, he recorded "Tuxedo Junction", which became a huge hit and brought him nationwide popularity. Although Hawkin's band was not known for it's originality, it always included musicians who had a fine sense of swing. By 1953 he was forced to reduce his big-band to a smaller unit that worked well into the '80s. Hawkins has been virtually ignored by jazz historians and writers. He was, however, a very talented and enthuastic musician in the swing style. Erskine Hawkins died in1993.
JoAnne Brackeen, Piano, 1938, Ventura, Cal
JoAnne received her music education when attending the Los Angeles conservatory of Music, but she taught herself to play jazz piano by listening to the recordings of Frankie Carle and imitating his solo work. During the latter part of the 1950s she worked with bands led by Teddy Edwards, Harold Land, and Dexter Gordon. In the early '60s JoAnne married the saxophonst Charles Brackeen, and moved, with him, to New York by the middle of the decade. It was while playing with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (1969-72) that she became known as an excellent jazz player. After leaving the Jazz Messengers she spent three years with Joe Henderson's group. Her audience grew substancially during the next period ,which she spent with Stan Getz (1975-77), a period which led to offers of a recording contract from several major recording companies. After her work with Getz, JoAnne formed her own group with which she performed, toured and recorded. She worked principally in a trio format with such sidemen as Eddie Gomez, Cecil McBee, Sam Jones, Clint Houston, and Jack DeJohnette. Today, JoAnne Brackeen is considered a major figure among the new crop of contemporary jazz pianists. Her major influences during her formative years were McCoy Tyner and Chick Corea, but she has also been inspired by the music of Ornette Coleman. Her approach to playing is unique, particularly in regard to rhythmic feel and expression, and she has increasingly recorded her own compositions. Her compositions on her beautiful album "Special Identity" are typical of her writing, which makes use of complex harmonies and a wide variety of moods.
Charlie Persip, Drums, 1929, Morristown, NJ
Charlie worked with Tadd Dameron in 1953 and then went with Dizzy Gillespie with whom he recorded and toured, remaining with Dizzy until around 1958. He briefly worked with Harry Edison's quintet and then with the Harry James big-band before forming his own group, The Jazz Statesmen, with Freddie Hubbard and Ron Carter in 1960. During this period also recorded with many of the leading swing and bop musicians, including Lee Morgan, Dinah Washington, Kenny Dorham and Zoot Sims. Two of the big-bands he played with were Gil Evans and Don Ellis. Around 1973 he toured with Billy Eckstine, as drummer and band conductor. From the mid '70s Charlie was the principal drum instructor for Jazzmobile in New York, though he continued to perform and record with Roland Kirk, Archie Shepp and Frank Foster. He and the trumpeter Gary LaFurn co-led a big band, Superband, with which they recorded in 1980. In the mid '80s the band worked with a trio he was leading that included Jack DeJohnette and Eddie Gomez. Persip is one of the most popular bop big-band drummers, and actually prefers big-band work to that of the small group. However, his best playing can be heard with Kirk's quartet on the recording "We Free Kings" (1961). He displays his command of a wide variety of modern styles on "How Time Passes", which he recorded as a member of Don Ellis's quartet.
