Avey Grouws Band

Celebrating the legacy of rock falls native louie bellson! Bellson Music Fest Saturday ~ June 7, 2025 Schedule of Events 11:30 - 12:30 - Drum Clinic at the McCormick Event Center (205 E. 3rd Street, Rock Falls) conducted by: Gregg Potter Bands performing at the RB&W District Amphitheater (201 E. 2nd St., Rock Falls) 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Yorkville Big Band covering a wide genre of sounds of the 40’s and 50’s incorporating modern arrangements of famous big bands. 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Avey Grouws Band brings a raw, powerful roots rock sound infused with blues and soul. 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Josh Duffee and the Blackhawk Broadcasters will feature music composed and arranged by Louie Bellson, along with songs that were recorded by Bellson during his career in a small group setting. 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Rare Element has a strong reputation for its high-intensity, live shows featuring funk music combining the elements of soul, jazz and R&B. In case of inclement weather, event will move to the Centennial Auditorium - 19 E. Miller Rd., Sterling This is a free event. food vendors on site. rock falls has many hotels to book your weekend stay! Holiday Inn Express & Suites Country Inn & Suites Days Inn Super 8 Campgrounds available too! Drum Clinic with Gregg Potter World-famous big-band drummer Louie Bellson was born in Rock Falls in 1924 Bellson was once referred to by Duke Ellington as “not only the world’s greatest drummer…(but also) the world’s greatest musician!” Louie Bellson has expressed himself on drums since age three. As an internationally-acclaimed artist, Bellson performed in most of the major capitals around the world. Bellson still holds, along with his late wife, actress and singer Pearl Bailey, the second highest number of White House appearances behind only Bob Hope. He performed on more than 200 albums with such greats as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Woody Herman, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Louie Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, James Brown, Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Joe Williams, Wayne Newton and Bellson’s late wife Pearl Bailey. As a composer and author, Bellson wrote more than 1,000 compositions and more than a dozen books on drums and percussion. He was a six-time Grammy nominee and received the prestigious American Jazz Masters Award from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1994.