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 — especially on the hit "Sing, Sing, Sing" — 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.
How High the Moon
Gene Krupa Lyrics
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How faint the tune
Somewhere there's heaven
How high the moon
There is no moon above
When love is far away too
Till it comes true
That you love me as I love you
Somewhere there's music
How near, how far
Somewhere there's heaven
It's where you are
The darkest night would shine
If you would come to me soon
Until you will, how still my heart
How high the moon
Somewhere there's music
How faint the tune
Somewhere there's heaven
How high the moon
The darkest night would shine
If you would come to me soon
Until you will, how still my heart
How high the moon
The lyrics to Gene Krupa's song "How High the Moon" convey the feelings of love and distance. The first verse talks about the presence of music and heaven, even though they may seem out of reach or distant. This is symbolized by the faintness of the tune and the height of the moon. The second line of the verse talks about love being far away and how the absence of love makes even the moon which represents heaven seem far away. The hope is that eventually, the love will be reciprocated and the distance will come to an end.
The second verse continues the theme of distance and love, painting a picture of darkest night being illuminated by the presence of the one they love. The final line of the verse suggests that until the love is returned, the heart remains still, implying a sense of emptiness and longing.
The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the importance of the idea that somewhere there is music, heaven and a shining moon, but also the idea of longing and waiting for the arrival of the loved one.
All in all, "How High the Moon" is a beautiful and timeless song about the complexities of love and the emotional toll that distance can take on one's heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere there's music
There exists melodies in some unknown places
How faint the tune
The sound is feeble or barely audible
Somewhere there's heaven
A paradise, a place of perfect happiness exists
How high the moon
The height of the moon is used as a metaphor for the degree of happiness one can reach
There is no moon above
The moon is not visible in the sky
When love is far away too
When love is not reciprocated or not present, the moon is perceived as absent
Till it comes true
Until love is finally realized
That you love me as I love you
Mutual love between two people
How near, how far
The distance to reach the place where happiness is felt is uncertain
It's where you are
The place of happiness is where the person you love is
The darkest night would shine
The night would be brightened by the presence of the person you love
If you would come to me soon
If the person you love were to come to you soon, the night would be brighter
Until you will, how still my heart
The unrequited love causes the heart to become still or quiet
How high the moon
Using the height of the moon as a measure of happiness, the chorus reflects the yearning for love to be realized
Somewhere there's music
The existence of melodies in unknown places is repeated
How faint the tune
The sound is still weak or indiscernible
Somewhere there's heaven
The idea of a paradise where happiness is perfect is repeated
How high the moon
The height of the moon is used again as a metaphor for the degree of happiness one can reach
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Morgan Lewis, Nancy Hamilton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kaixo7
excelente arreglo!!! Mulligan fuera de serie.
@jg-reis
Great video!
@kimnewland8735
superb
@HelenaSNapoli.it1383
great music ! <3 Gene Krupa
@WilliamSilva-ml5nw
Gerry Mulligan arranged this in the early part of his career.