Clark Terry and Louis Bellson in Las Vegas 25 April

[BeBop]

From the April 24th Las Vegas Sun

Octogenarian music legends jazz up a Las Vegas embroidery store

By Jerry Fink

Thu, Apr 24, 2008 (2 a.m.)

Jazz legends Louie Bellson and Clark Terry will perform one of their more unusual gigs this week — at EmbroidMe, a store that features custom embroidery, screen printing and promotional products.

Drummer Bellson, 83, and trumpeter Terry, 87, will be promoting their new CD, “The Louie and Clark Expedition 2.”

Bellson, a composer, arranger, bandleader and jazz educator, is credited with pioneering the use of two bass drums. He has performed with almost every major name in jazz history, including Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey and Lionel Hampton.

Clark has played trumpet for such legends as Count Basie and Duke Ellington

Details: 4 p.m. Friday; EmbroidMe, 8174 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (near Food4Less); free; 453-8004

[RDK]

Damn. That's like having the Ellington band play a bar mitzvah. Wish I could be there.

[BeBop]

I feel fortunate to be passing through Las Vegas (never thought I'd say that!) at the same time as these two. So I will be there. Sadly, not much jazz in Las Vegas these days. And the best record store has closed.

[sheldonm]

I saw them both in Chicago about 18 months ago and Terry last year.....Bellson was still swinging....Terry not so much.

m

[BeBop]

Just back from the gig, and let's just say the Las Vegas Sun played a little joke on us that didn't leave me in stitches. (A little embroidery pun.) Still an interesting event.

It was Bellson only, no Clark Terry. And it was a meet and greet, no music (except on the boombox.) A small crowd - about 20. Plenty of opportunity to shake the man's hand and say 'thanks'. Glad I went. Got a plane to catch now.