Gene Krupa (January 15, 1909 โ October 16, 1973) was a famous and influenti… Read Full Bio ↴Gene Krupa (January 15, 1909 โ October 16, 1973) was a famous and influential American jazz and big band drummer, known for his highly energetic and flamboyant style.
Many consider Krupa to be one of the most influential drummers of the 20th century, particularly regarding the development of the drum kit. Many jazz historians believe he made history in 1927 as the first kit drummer ever to record using a bass drum pedal. His drum method was published in 1938 and immediately became the standard text. He is also credited with inventing the rim shot on the snare drum. Rhythm, the UK's best selling drum magazine voted Gene Krupa the third most influential drummer ever, in a poll conducted for its February 2009 issue. Voters included over 50 top-name drummers
Krupa was born Eugene Bertram Krupa to Polish parents in Chicago, Illinois. He began playing professionally in the mid 1920s with bands in Wisconsin. He broke into the Chicago scene in 1927, when he was picked by MCA to become a member of "Thelma Terry and Her Playboys", the first notable American Jazz band (outside of all-girl bands) to be led by a female musician. The Playboys were the house band at The Golden Pumpkin nightclub in Chicago and also toured extensively throughout the eastern and central United States.
Krupa made his first recordings in 1927, with a band under the leadership of banjoist Eddie Condon and "fixer" (and sometime singer, who did not appear on the records), Red McKenzie: along with other recordings beginning in 1924 by musicians known in the "Chicago" scene such as Bix Beiderbecke, these sides are examples of white "Chicago Style" jazz. The numbers recorded at that session were: 'China Boy', 'Sugar', 'Nobody's Sweetheart' and 'Liza'. The McKenzie - Condon sides are also notable for being the first records to feature a full drum kit.
In 1929 he moved to New York City and worked with the band of Red Nichols. In 1934 he joined Benny Goodman's band, where his featured drum work โ especially on the hit "Sing, Sing, Sing" โ made him a national celebrity. In 1938, after a public fight with Goodman at the Earl Theater in Philadelphia, he left Goodman to launch his own band and had several hits with singer Anita O'Day and trumpeter Roy Eldridge. Krupa made a memorable cameo appearance in the 1941 film Ball of Fire, in which he and his band performed an extended version of the hit Drum Boogie.
Many consider Krupa to be one of the most influential drummers of the 20th century, particularly regarding the development of the drum kit. Many jazz historians believe he made history in 1927 as the first kit drummer ever to record using a bass drum pedal. His drum method was published in 1938 and immediately became the standard text. He is also credited with inventing the rim shot on the snare drum. Rhythm, the UK's best selling drum magazine voted Gene Krupa the third most influential drummer ever, in a poll conducted for its February 2009 issue. Voters included over 50 top-name drummers
Krupa was born Eugene Bertram Krupa to Polish parents in Chicago, Illinois. He began playing professionally in the mid 1920s with bands in Wisconsin. He broke into the Chicago scene in 1927, when he was picked by MCA to become a member of "Thelma Terry and Her Playboys", the first notable American Jazz band (outside of all-girl bands) to be led by a female musician. The Playboys were the house band at The Golden Pumpkin nightclub in Chicago and also toured extensively throughout the eastern and central United States.
Krupa made his first recordings in 1927, with a band under the leadership of banjoist Eddie Condon and "fixer" (and sometime singer, who did not appear on the records), Red McKenzie: along with other recordings beginning in 1924 by musicians known in the "Chicago" scene such as Bix Beiderbecke, these sides are examples of white "Chicago Style" jazz. The numbers recorded at that session were: 'China Boy', 'Sugar', 'Nobody's Sweetheart' and 'Liza'. The McKenzie - Condon sides are also notable for being the first records to feature a full drum kit.
In 1929 he moved to New York City and worked with the band of Red Nichols. In 1934 he joined Benny Goodman's band, where his featured drum work โ especially on the hit "Sing, Sing, Sing" โ made him a national celebrity. In 1938, after a public fight with Goodman at the Earl Theater in Philadelphia, he left Goodman to launch his own band and had several hits with singer Anita O'Day and trumpeter Roy Eldridge. Krupa made a memorable cameo appearance in the 1941 film Ball of Fire, in which he and his band performed an extended version of the hit Drum Boogie.
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Dejavu Retro Gold Collection
Gene Krupa Lyrics
April In Paris I never knew the charm of spring I never met it…
Body and Soul My heart is sad and lonely For you I sigh, for…
Bolero At the Savoy There's a new dance called the New Bolero, At the Savoy; I…
Boogie Blues Don't the moon look lonesome shinin' thru the trees? Don't t…
Bugle Call Rag You're bound to fall for the bugle call; You're gonna brag…
Caravan Night and stars above that shine so bright The mystery of…
Dear Old Southland Dear old Southland I hear you calling me. And I long…
Drum Boogie Boogie! You hear the rhythm rompin'! Boogie! You see th…
Drummin' Man Drummin' man, he's a drummin' man No one kicks a set…
Fascinatin' Rhythm Got a little rhythm, a rhythm, a rhythm That pit-a-pats thr…
How High the Moon Somewhere there's music How faint the tune Somewhere there's…
I Left My Heart in San Francisco The loveliness of Paris seems somehow sadly gray The glory t…
I've Got the World on a String Why does the gay little dicky bird sing? What put the…
Just in Time Just in time, I found you just in time Before you…
Massachusetts When the porter yells Massachusetts I'll be there with bells…
September Song Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December But…
Sometimes I'm Happy Sometimes I'm happy, sometimes I'm blue My disposition, it d…
Tenderly You took my lips, you took my love so tenderly The…