Louis Bellson's 1982 visit to London, one of many over the years, resulted in two albums Cool, Cool Blue (OJCCD-825-2) and this one. The first featured Bellson and his rhythm section with saxophonists Ted Nash and Matt Catingub. The London Gig unleashes the entire Bellson Big Band in all of its precision, force, and swing. Buoyed by Bellson's drums, Frank Strazzeri's piano, and George Duvivier's bass, the young brass and reed sections do yeoman work on arrangements by some of the best writers of the day. The pieces include five originals by Bellson, one of the most musical of drummers. The arrangers are among the best: Bob Florence, Tommy Newsom, Sammy Nestico, Bellson himself, trombonist Hale Rood, and the precocious Matt Catingub, who was 21 at the time of the recording.

with Frank Strazzeri, George Duvivier, John Eckert, Greg Ruvolo, Walt Johnson, Brian O'Flaherty, Dave Katz, Dana Hughes, Clinton Sharman, Hale Rood, Don Mikkelson, Ted Nash, Ken Hitchcock, Matt Catingub, William Santos-Murray, Joe Sudler