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.
Tenderly
Gene Krupa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The evening breeze caressed the trees tenderly
The trembling trees embraced the breeze tenderly
Then you and I came wandering by and lost in a sigh were we
The shore was kissed by sea and mist tenderly
I can't forget how two hearts met breathlessly
You took my lips, you took my love so tenderly
The shore was kissed by sea and mist tenderly
I can't forget how two hearts met breathlessly
Your arms opened wide and closed me inside
You took my lips, you took my love so tenderly
In Gene Krupa's song Tenderly, the singer sings about the tenderness and passion of love. The song begins with the singer saying how their lover took their lips and love tenderly. The metaphor is used to describe how delicate, yet passionate, a romantic relationship can be. The evening breeze, trees, mist, and sea are all described as being tender, displaying an appreciation for the beauty and gentleness of nature.
Later in the song, the singer describes how they and their lover walked by and were lost in a sigh, conveying a sense of dreamy, romantic longing. The shore and sea are again described as being kissed tenderly, this time with mist, further emphasizing the peaceful, delicate nature of the surroundings. The two hearts meeting breathlessly conveys how powerful and exciting love can be, and how it can leave one feeling breathless and overwhelmed with emotion. The closing of the singer's lover's arms around them describes the safety and comfort that can come with a loving and committed relationship.
Overall, the lyrics of Tenderly aim to capture the beauty and tenderness of a romantic relationship, and the emotional intensity that can come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
You took my lips, you took my love so tenderly
You showed me love in a gentle way that made me feel cherished and appreciated
The evening breeze caressed the trees tenderly
The gentle wind blew through the trees, almost like a loving caress or hug
The trembling trees embraced the breeze tenderly
The trees swayed back and forth in response to the tender caress of the breeze
Then you and I came wandering by and lost in a sigh were we
As we walked together, we became lost in a moment of shared emotion and longing
The shore was kissed by sea and mist tenderly
The sea and mist seemed to come together in a loving kiss along the shore
I can't forget how two hearts met breathlessly
Our meeting was filled with excitement and anticipation, leaving a lasting impact on my heart and mind
Your arms opened wide and closed me inside
You showed me a warm and welcoming embrace, making me feel safe and loved
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jack Lawrence, Walter Gross
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JUNIA SHLAUSTAS
When I was passing by the London House he was getting out of a cab and he he said hi to me and we began chatting. Then I looked up at the marquee and realized it was Krupa who was being very friendly. But then I said nice meeting you and then 'ran' 😂. But he was wonderful and very nice. 😅