The all-day free event celebrates the life and legacy of Rock Falls native son Louie Bellson (1924-2009), the world renowned big-band drummer, bandleader and composer. Hosted by Rock Falls Tourism, the event is being organized in close association with Bellson’s widow Francine Bellson and music director Josh Duffee of Davenport, Iowa.
Festivities kick off with a drum clinic by Steve Smith, legendary drummer from the band Journey, at 11 a.m. at the McCormick Event Center. Five bands are then scheduled to perform from 12 noon to 9:30 p.m. at the RB&W District Amphitheater:
- 12 noon – Jerry Criss Band
- 2 p.m. – Yorkville Big Band
- 4 p.m. – Rock River Jazz Band
- 6 p.m. – Josh Duffee and His Orchestra
- 8 p.m. – Steve Smith and Vital Information with Steve Smith, Manuel Valera and Janek Gwizdala
There will also be food vendors onsite.
An internationally acclaimed drummer, bandleader and composer, Louie Bellson was deemed “the world’s greatest musician” by Duke Ellington, and “the best person I ever met” by Tony Bennett. He performed on more than 200 albums with artists such as Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and even James Brown! He accompanied vocalists Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Tony Bennett. Also, Bellson’s first wife Pearl Bailey whom he served as musical director for her concerts and TV show.
As a composer and author, Bellson wrote more than 1,000 compositions and more than a dozen books on drums and percussion. A six-time Grammy nominee, he received the prestigious American Jazz Masters Award from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1994. To learn more about Louie Bellson’s legacy, go to louiebellson.com.
“A huge thanks goes out to our sponsors for the Bellson Music Fest. We would not be able to do this without you, and especially in getting a big name like Steve Smith to come to Rock Falls,” says Melinda Jones, Director of Rock Falls Tourism. For more information, contact Jones at 815-622-1106 or by email at director@visitrockfalls.com.
