Louie Bellson interviewed by Monk Rowe, Sarasota, Florida, April 12, 1996 [transcript]

Table of Contents: Biography -- Starting to play drums at age three; piano study -- Learning experience of playing gigs with a quartet/Going on the road -- Getting into Benny Goodman band -- Playing in the service -- Playing with Tommy Dorsey, Harry James/Leaving Harry James for Duke Ellington -- Basie and Ellington: both rhythm players who set the tempo from the piano -- About Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn/Their superstitions -- Duke's arrangements for his men -- Duke recording Bellson's first arrangement -- Racial issues: posing as a Haitian to travel south with Duke -- Learning from Charlie Shavers and drum greats -- Relationship with Basie -- Meeting and marrying Pearl Bailey and second wife -- Personnel in his band -- Origin of double bass drum set -- Joe Williams: professional attitude/"Jingle Sticks" for Basie -- New album: salute to twelve great drummers.