Recently, the office of esteemed U.S. Congresswoman Diane Watson of the 33rd Congressional District in Los Angeles posthumously awarded a memorial certificate of recognition to jazz pioneer Louie Bellson, whom Duke Ellington described as “the greatest musician of all time.”

The Jazz Joy and Roy syndicated radio show spotlights Bellson’s album entitled “The Sacred Music of Louie Bellson and The Jazz Ballet,” which has garnered positive reviews around the globe.

“I applaud the decision that the office of Congresswoman Watson made,” said Roy Gray, host of the popular jazz program, adding that the award was formally presented to Bellson’s widow, the delightfully indomitable Francine Bellson in San Jose, California by petitioner W. Steve Stevens, attorney at law.

Jazz Joy and Roy has interviewed many jazz fans about Louie Bellson and has reported on the air that people who have met Bellson admired Bellson’s “sweet” personality as much as the drummer’s historic and assorted musical gifts.

According to LouieBellson.net, the late Johnny Carson called Bellson “a superb artist,” noting that Bellson was also “a sweet, nice man.”