Bellson, Louie [Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni]. (1924 - 2009). Bellson's Personal Remo PTS Drumset. An original and fully functional drumset owned and used by the influential jazz drummer, composer, arranger and bandleader who performed regularly with many of the greats, including Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Ella Fitzgerald and many others. Duke Ellington said of him: "Not only is Louie Bellson the world's greatest drummer . . . he's the world's greatest musician!" Other artists concurred: Oscar Peterson described Bellson as "the epitome of musical talent... I consider him one of the musical giants of our age"; Sammy Davis, Jr. said that Bellson was " the only man I know who, when he plays by himself, sounds like a symphony orchestra."

Bellson's Remo PTS drumset, one of the prototypes Remo developed for their low-end drumset line that launched in the late 80s/early 90s. The present kit is one of three sets made for Bellson where one head was pre-tuned, and the other was tunable (see close-up image showing the two different lugs). He played this one for several years and it traveled around with him extensively (as you can tell by the look of the cases!), before it was gifted to a friend and colleague. The drumset is white and in fine condition, though the two bass drums have yellowed over time. Included are the following pieces: 2 bass drums (with pedals and beaters); 1 snare drum (w/stand); 1 mounted tom-tom (on bass drum); 2 smaller toms w/double stand; 1 mounted cymbal stand on bass drum; 2 free-standing cymbal stands; 1 hi-hat stand.

Please note that special freight shipping charges will apply to this instrument. Buyers will be billed accordingly after checkout with the standard automatically calculated shipping fees.