A 1987 story in the Post-Gazette asked: “Will Thomas Bellin be the next great jazz musician to come out of Pittsburgh?”
The occasion was the young bassist receiving a $5,000 scholarship, in conjunction with the Mellon Jazz Festival, to continue his studies with jazz legend Nathan Davis at the University of Pittsburgh.
Without question, Mr. Bellin, who died Tuesday at 58 of unknown causes at his home in North Park, turned out to be one of the great Pittsburgh musicians, in demand by many of the city’s top artists and holding down the rhythm at numerous Pittsburgh All-Stars gigs.
The bassist, who grew up in Shadyside, played in a wide range of bands, including Modern Man, the B.E. Taylor Group, No Bad JuJu and, more recently, the Reb Beach Project, led by the guitarist from Whitesnake and Winger.
His father was trumpeter Clyde Bellin, who performed with the Civic Light Opera, along with countless musicians in the jazz scene.
Timothy Bellin remembers his older brother Tom getting a white Fender bass when he was around 12.
“He would jam in the basement with some local guys. My father loved that he was into music. At first he was into rock and then as he progressed, his musical likes and attributes broadened to jazz, R&B, funk.”
One of his first bands was the popular Top 40 group Jet Set, starting in 1981.
“He was a talent beyond belief,” said Ronda Zegarelli, who worked with him in Jet Set and later her band Ronda and the Arrivals. “His life revolved around his music and family. He was one of the first musicians that I worked with that decided to make music his career, something that at the time, I couldn't understand. He made the music career choice and never looked back.”
In the mid-’80s, when Tim was working at the Listening Post in Shadyside, he recalls going to see Tom play just a few doors away at the popular club The Balcony with H.B. Bennett, Chizmo Charles and other jazz and blues artists.
When you hired Mr. Bellin, you were looking for something more than an easy groove, according to Danny Gochnour, of the Houserockers, who played with him in the Orchard Hill Church Band and in various all-star settings.
“I would describe Tommy's playing as aggressive,” he said. “In a rock setting, he was a powerful and forceful player. Not loud, but big. He was also well known for his solo rendition of the ‘Peanuts’ theme. He could play all genres, definitely one of the best. Not only was he a tremendous musician, he was funny, loving and caring. A genuine friend.”
In recent years, his brother said Mr. Bellin — who he described as being “energetic, outgoing, a true warrior in every sense” — struggled with depression. Posts on social media Tuesday reveal a fun and special relationship with his 27-year-old daughter, Mia Bella. She wrote, “Rest In Peace to an amazing father. I love you and I will forever love you. I know you’re up there slapping the bass! Putting on a show up there! This pain is unreal. I need you. I’ll never not need you.”
Rick Witkowski, producer and guitarist for such bands as the B.E. Taylor Group and Crack the Sky, agrees that he’s moved on to another major gig.
“Tommy Bellin was definitely the best bass player I have ever worked with. He was a master of his craft and could hang with the best of the best in any genre of music. I'm sad he's gone but happy to know that he's reunited with my brother B.E. Taylor and that the Heavens Praise & Worship Band's rhythm section has just gotten a lot stronger.”
He is survived by his daughter Mia Bella and ex-wife Paula, of Avalon; sisters Lisa Froehlich and Paula Salas, both of Bellevue, and Cindy Zingaro, of Mars; and brother Timothy, of New Kensington. There will be a public memorial service from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Orchard Hill Church, 2551 Brandt School Road, Wexford.
Scott Mervis: smervis@post-gazette.com
First Published February 7, 2018, 4:57pm
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