L.A. Jazz Society Tabs Bellson for Honors

Louie Bellson’s 55-year career in jazz started picture-perfect and has pretty much gone that way since. Now, picture this: Bellson will be the chief honoree when the Los Angeles Jazz Society holds its 13th annual Jazz Tribute and Awards concert and banquet Oct. 8 at the Biltmore Bowl in the downtown Biltmore Hotel.

The technically gifted, creative Bellson, who is generally regarded as one of the finest big-band drummers ever, made his major-league debut with Benny Goodman in 1941 at age 17. He later worked with Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Harry James, Count Basie and Duke Ellington, then led his own bands and acted as musical director for Pearl Bailey, who was then his wife. His latest album, “Live From New York,” came out late last year on Telarc Records, and he just recorded one for Concord Jazz that highlights several other drum greats, including Chick Webb, Buddy Rich, Elvin Jones and Shelly Manne.

The banquet will also salute Jimmy and Jeannie Cheatham (lifetime achievement award), Billy May (composer-arranger), Bobby Bryant (educator), Ruth Price (vocalist), Myrna Daniels and Bob Comden (Leonard Feather Communicator Award), Darlene Chan (Teri Merrill-Aarons Founders Award) and the Washington Preparatory High School Jazz Ensemble (new talent).

Bellson, Price, Bryant and many others are scheduled to perform.

The drummer responded to the tribute in a typically gracious manner. “As Duke might have said, I’m too young for this. I haven’t done as much as many of these guys,” Bellson said. “Like Billy May. He’s one of my heroes. He should be in my place. But it feels great.”

Assessing his career, Bellson chose two high points: his associations with Ellington, which ran off and on from 1951 to the late ‘60s, and with Norman Granz’s Jazz at the Philharmonic. “Duke and Billy Strayhorn showed me so much, not just about music but about being a good human being. And Norman, via JATP, opened doors for me to play with Dizzy [Gillespie], Ella [Fitzgerald], Oscar [Peterson]. I would never have had that if not for Norman.”

Tickets for the awards concert and banquet are $75; concert only, $25. Information: (213) 469-6800.

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Gales Dies: Bassist-singer Larry Gales, the masterful timekeeper and superb soloist who worked with greats such as Thelonious Monk, Sonny Stitt, Joe Williams and Erroll Garner, died Tuesday at Olive View Hospital in Sylmar from complications of leukemia. Gales was 59.

The New York City native studied with noted bassist George Duvivier at age 11, and by his mid-20s was working and recording with such artists as Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Johnny Griffin, Garner, Herbie Mann and Monk, with whom he played from 1964-69 and made numerous albums. Gales was featured in the Clint Eastwood-produced film “Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser.”

Gales moved to Los Angeles in 1969 and worked extensively throughout Southern California, appearing with countless artists ranging from Lorez Alexandria to Harry “Sweets” Edison. He often led his own groups, including the East-West Connection, and performed regularly with his wife, pianist-singer Rose Gales.

A benefit to defray Gales’ medical expenses, scheduled before his death, will be held Sunday, 1 to 7 p.m., at the Musicians Union Auditorium, 817 N. Vine St., Hollywood. Among those on the lineup: Frank Capp’s Juggernauts with Ernie Andrews, Super Sax, Harold Land, O.C. Smith, Bill Henderson and a bass choir led by John Clayton that features Dr. Art Davis, Andy Simpkins, Louis Spears and Nedra Wheeler. Suggested donation is $10. Those not able to attend may send contributions to Larry Gales, c/o President Bill Petersen, Musicians Union, 817 N. Vine St., Hollywood, CA 90033.

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Surfing the Jazzwaves: Billy Taylor profiles flutist Herbie Mann on Sunday, 8 a.m., in a segment of “CBS Sunday Morning,” airing on KCBS-TV Channel 2. . . .

“Swingin’ the Blues,” a lively portrait of Count Basie, airs tonight at 7 and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., on the Bravo channel. . . .

Hear pianists Dudley Moore today at 2 p.m., and Michel Petrucciani on Tuesday, 11 p.m., both on Marian McPartland’s “Piano Jazz,” airing on KPCC-FM (89.3). The station also presents such artists as pianist Danilo Perez and saxophonist Bill Pierce offering a tribute to John Coltrane on Branford Marsalis’ “Jazzset,” airing Tuesday at 10 p.m.

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Straight, No Cover: The fine pianist Mike Lang presents a tribute to Bill Evans on Saturday, 1:30 to 4 p.m., at Pedrini Music in Alhambra, (213) 283-1932. . . .

Pianist John Hammond offers quietly energized renditions of jazz and pop vehicles on Monday and Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday, 6 to 11 p.m., in the lobby lounge of Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. Today and Saturday, bassist Tom Warrington is on hand, (310) 458-0030.