Gene Krupa - Big Noise from Winnetka

Styles: Jazz, Swing
Year: 1959
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:39
Size: 112,2 MB
Art: Front

( 4:24)  1. Big Noise from Winnetka
( 5:32)  2. Take the "a" Train
( 5:48)  3. Some of These Days
( 5:46)  4. Sweet Georgia Brown
( 3:01)  5. Petite Fleur
( 4:08)  6. Lonesome Road
( 8:33)  7. Don't Be That Way
(11:25)  8. Drum Boogie

The first drummer to be a superstar, Gene Krupa may not have been the most advanced drummer of the 1930s but he was in some ways the most significant. Prior to Krupa, drum solos were a real rarity and the drums were thought of as a merely supportive instrument. With his good looks and colorful playing, he became a matinee idol and changed the image of drummers forever. Gene Krupa made history with his first record. For a session in 1927 with the McKenzie-Condon Chicagoans, he became the first musician to use a full drum set on records. He was part of the Chicago jazz scene of the 1920s before moving to New York and worked in the studios during the early years of the Depression. In December 1934 he joined Benny Goodman's new orchestra and for the next three years he was an important part of Goodman's pacesetting big band. Krupa, whose use of the bass drum was never too subtle, starred with the Goodman Trio and Quartet, and his lengthy drum feature "Sing, Sing, Sing" in 1937 was historic.

After he nearly stole the show at Goodman's 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert, Krupa and Goodman had a personality conflict and the former soon departed to form his own orchestra. It took the drummer a while to realize with his band that drum solos were not required on every song! Such fine players as Vido Musso, Milt Raskin, Floyd O'Brien, Sam Donahue, Shorty Sherock, and the excellent singer Irene Daye were assets to the Krupa Orchestra and "Drum Boogie" was a popular number but it was not until 1941 when he had Anita O'Day and Roy Eldridge that Krupa's big band really took off. Among his hits from 1941-1942 were "Let Me Off Uptown," "After You've Gone," "Rockin' Chair" and "Thanks for the Boogie Ride." Krupa made several film appearances during this period, including a very prominent featured spot in the opening half-hour of the Howard Hawks comedy Ball of Fire, performing an extended version of "Drum Boogie" (with Roy Eldridge also featured), and William Dieterle's faux jazz history, Syncopation. Unfortunately, Krupa was arrested on a trumped-up drug charge in 1943, resulting in bad publicity, a short jail sentence, and the breakup of his orchestra. In September 1943 he had an emotional reunion with Benny Goodman (who happily welcomed him back to the music world). Krupa also worked briefly with Tommy Dorsey before putting together another big band in them middle of 1944, this one with a string section. 

The strings only lasted a short time but he was able to keep the group working into 1951. Tenor saxophonist Charlie Ventura and pianist Teddy Napoleon had a trio hit in "Dark Eyes" (1945), Anita O'Day returned for a time in 1945 (scoring with "Opus No. 1") and, although his own style was unchanged (being a Dixieland drummer at heart), Krupa was one of the first swing big bandleaders to welcome the influence of bebop into his group's arrangements, some of which were written by Gerry Mulligan (most notably "Disc Jockey Jump"). Among the soloists in the second Krupa Orchestra were Don Fagerquist, Red Rodney, Ventura, altoist Charlie Kennedy, tenorman Buddy Wise, and in 1949 Roy Eldridge. After breaking up his band in 1951, Krupa generally worked with trios or quartets (including such sidemen as Ventura, Napoleon, Eddie Shu, Bobby Scott, Dave McKenna, Eddie Wasserman, Ronnie Ball, Dave Frishberg, and John Bunch), toured with Jazz at the Philharmonic, ran a drum school with Cozy Cole and had occasional reunions with Benny Goodman. In 1959, Columbia Pictures released The Gene Krupa Story, a biographical drama based on Krupa's life starring Sal Mineo in the title role and Red Nichols in a supporting part. Gradually worsening health in the '60s resulted in him becoming semi-retired but Krupa remained a major name up until his death. Ironically his final recording was led by the same person who headed his first appearance on records, Eddie Condon. Gene Krupa's pre-war big-band records are gradually being released by the Classics label. ~ Scott Yanow https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/big-noise-from-winnetka/id376420584

Personnel:  Leader, Drums – Gene Krupa;  Bass – Jimmy Gannon;  Piano – Ronnie Ball; Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute – Eddie Wasserman

Big Noise from Winnetka

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Benny Goodman Trio, Quartet - After You've Gone Vol. 1

Styles: Clarinet Jazz, Swing
Year: 1987
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:59
Size: 161,9 MB
Art: Front

(2:45)  1. After You've Gone - Take 2
(3:23)  2. Body and Soul - 1996 Remastered - Take 2
(3:13)  3. Who? (From the First National Film "Sunny")
(2:48)  4. Someday Sweetheart
(2:30)  5. China Boy
(3:09)  6. More Than You Know
(3:14)  7. All My Life - 1987 Remastered
(3:02)  8. Oh, Lady Be Good
(2:45)  9. Nobody's Sweetheart
(3:27) 10. Too Good To Be True
(3:22) 11. Moonglow - Take 1
(2:42) 12. Dinah (From "The Plantation Revue")
(3:18) 13. Exactly Like You
(3:22) 14. Vibraphone Blues
(3:18) 15. Sweet Sue - Just You
(3:27) 16. My Melancholy Baby
(3:22) 17. Tiger Rag
(2:49) 18. Stompin' at the Savoy - Take 2
(3:23) 19. Whispering
(3:44) 20. Ida, Sweet As Apple Cider
(3:06) 21. Tea For Two
(2:38) 22. Runnin' Wild

Although Benny Goodman came to fame as leader of a big swinging orchestra, from nearly the beginning he always allocated some time to playing with smaller groups. On July 13, 1935, the Benny Goodman Trio debuted (featuring drummer Gene Krupa and pianist Teddy Wilson) and 13 months later vibraphonist Lionel Hampton made the unit a quartet. The first interracial group to appear regularly in public, this outlet gave BG an opportunity to stretch out and interact with his peers. The CD After You've Gone contains the first ten Trio recordings and the initial twelve studio performances by the Quartet. Helen Ward contributes two fine vocals but the emphasis is on the close interplay between these brilliant players.~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/original-benny-goodman-trio-and-quartet-sessions-vol-1-after-youve-gone-mw0000651279

Personnel: Clarinet – Benny Goodman; Drums – Gene Krupa; Piano – Teddy Wilson; Vibraphone – Lionel Hampton

After You've Gone  Vol. 1

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Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich - The Drum Battle

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:47
Size: 82,7 MB
Art: Front

(0:42)  1. Introduction
(6:46)  2. Idaho
(4:39)  3. Sophisticated Lady
(5:56)  4. Flying Home
(9:04)  5. Drum Boogie
(3:36)  6. The Drum Battle
(5:01)  7. Perdido

This set was initially issued as the 15th instalment in Norman Grantz's Jazz at the Philharmonic series of LPs, EPs, and 45s. As that highly collectible compilation of performances has been out of print since the 1960s, many of the volumes were later issued under the respective artists' name. As the title would imply, Drum Battle: Jazz at the Philharmonic features the artistry of the Gene Krupa Trio with Buddy Rich (drums) sitting in on a few numbers as well as the inimitable jazz scat vocalizations of Ella Fitzgerald on a hot steppin' and definitive "Perdido." Opening the disc is Krupa's trio with Willie Smith (alto sax) and Hank Jones (piano) providing a solid and singularly swinging rhythm section. While Smith drives the band, Krupa is front and center with his antagonistic percussive prodding. "Idaho" is marked with Jones' rollicking post-bop mastery as he trades solos with Smith and can be heard quoting lines from Monk before yielding to Smith. The cover of Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady" sparkles from beginning to end. Jones' opening flourish sets the tenure as Smith settles into a smoky lead, containing some nice syncopation and regal augmentation from Jones. Krupa primarily provides ample rhythm work on the emotive ballad. Smith's diversion into "Stormy Weather" is notable for exemplifying the lyrically improvisational nature of this combo. The tempo is significantly stepped up on a cover of Benny Goodman's "Flying Home," which is full of high-spirited playing and garners a sizable reaction from the audience. 

The lengthy "Drum Boogie" is one of Krupa's signature pieces and is greeted with tremendous enthusiasm. Buddy Rich climbs on board for a one-on-one duel with Krupa, whose styles mesh into a mile-a-minute wash of profound percussion. The duet segues into an inspired and free-form jam on "Perdido," with Fitzgerald belting out her lines with authority, class, and most of all, soul. ~ Lindsay Planer https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-drum-battle-mw0000318913

Personnel:  Gene Krupa – drums; Buddy Rich – drums; Roy Eldridge – trumpet; Charlie Shavers – trumpet; Benny Carter – alto saxophone; Flip Phillips – tenor saxophone; Lester Young – tenor saxophone; Hank Jones – piano; Oscar Peterson – piano; Willie Smith – piano; Barney Kessel – guitar; Ray Brown – double bass; Ella Fitzgerald – vocals

The Drum Battle

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Benny Goodman - The Harry James Years Vol. 1

Styles: Clarinet Jazz, Swing, Big Band 

Year: 1993
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:19
Size: 156,6 MB
Art: Front

(2:38)  1. I Want To Be Happy (From "No, No, Nanette")
(3:12)  2. Chloe (Song of the Swamp)
(2:40)  3. Rosetta
(3:29)  4. Peckin' (From "New Faces of 1937")
(3:01)  5. Can't We Be Friends? (From "The Little Show") - Take 2
(4:05)  6. Sing, Sing, Sing (Introducing "Christopher Columbus")
(4:38)  7. Sing, Sing, Sing - Part 2
(3:11)  8. Roll 'Em
(2:43)  9. When It's Sleepy Time Down South - Take 2
(2:25) 10. Changes - Take 3
(2:47) 11. Sugarfoot Stomp - Take 1
(3:35) 12. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
(2:58) 13. Minnie the Moocher's Wedding Day (From "Cotton Club Parade")
(2:47) 14. Camel Hop - Take 1
(2:40) 15. Camel Hop - Take 2
(3:05) 16. Life Goes To A Party - Take 1
(3:07) 17. Life Goes To a Party - Take 3
(3:19) 18. Don't Be That Way - Take 1
(3:22) 19. Don't Be That Way - Take 2
(3:14) 20. One O'Clock Jump - Take 1
(3:14) 21. One O'Clock Jump - Take 2

This is a really cool mid-price collection, the first of two assembling all of the Goodman band's work with Harry James. There are 21 tracks, covering a 13-month period that saw the Goodman band at the peak of its personnel and popularity, every day breaking new ground for swing even as that music had already swept the country. And, as Loren Schoenberg points out in his superb notes, with Harry James in the lineup, the band had a trumpet man who could match Goodman himself, plus a drummer in Gene Krupa who kept the rhythm section tight. 

Most of this material ("Sing Sing Sing," etc.) has been out before somewhere, although it's been very carefully remastered here using the CEDAR system, placing it a cut above other reissues for sound quality. Additionally, there are three distinctly different, newly discovered outtakes of "Camel Hop" and "One O'Clock Jump," plus alternate takes on "Life Goes to a Party" and "Don't Be That Way." One couldn't pick better tracks to have become available in variant forms, representing the Goodman band at its most accessible and swinging. ~ Bruce Eder https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-harry-james-years-vol-1-mw0000096367

Personnel:  Clarinet – Benny Goodman; Alto Saxophone – Dick DePew (tracks: 1 to 3), George Koenig (tracks: 4 to 21), Hymie Schertzer; Bass – Harry Goodman; Drums – Gene Krupa; Guitar – Allen Reuss; Piano – Jess Stacy; Tenor Saxophone – Arthur Rollini, Babe Russin (tracks: 18 to 21), Vido Musso (tracks: 1 to17); Trombone – Murray McEachern (tracks: 1 to 17), Red Ballard, Vernon Brown (tracks: 18 to 21); Trumpet – Gordon Griffin, Harry James (2), Ziggy Elman

The Harry James Years Vol. 1

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Benny Goodman - The Legendary Small Groups

Styles: Clarinet Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:03
Size: 97,3 MB
Art: Front

(2:48)  1. After You've Gone
(3:30)  2. Body and Soul
(2:33)  3. China Boy
(3:25)  4. Moonglow
(2:42)  5. Dinah
(3:19)  6. Sweet Sue
(2:50)  7. Stompin' at the Savoy
(3:23)  8. Whispering
(2:39)  9. Runnin' Wild
(2:46) 10. Avalon
(3:25) 11. Where or When
(2:45) 12. I'm a Ding Dong Daddy (from Dumas)
(2:35) 13. The Blues in Your Flat
(3:17) 14. Dizzy Spells

With the mass of collectable material being produced featuring present day jazz stars it is easy to ignore the earlier recordings on which many jazz fans were weaned. As the swing era progressed it engendered the formation of small groups within the ‘modern’ setting none more popular than those led by Benny Goodman in the 1930s. The ‘Trio’ was formed in 1935 and ‘Quartet’ in late 1936. At that time nobody, including Artie Shaw, could compare with Goodman’s unbelievable technique and the recordings enjoyed immense popularity. Although Goodman had used Teddy Wilson on earlier recordings with his band it wasn’t until they played together in an impromptu trio that Benny became aware of Wilson’s great potential. "Teddy and I began to play as though we were thinking with the same brain," was how he described that session. "It was a real kick." Within a month they were in the recording studio.Tracks 1 & 3 to some extent confirm Goodman’s comments and with Krupa’s strict tempo both numbers move along at pace. ‘Body and Soul’ is one of the most popular tunes from the period and whilst the trio treat it with respect I feel that there is far greater appeal when it is played on saxophone where it can receive more expressive treatment. ‘Where or When’ with Goodman staying on the melody gives Wilson the opportunity to show his recognised talent as an accompanist. 

His solo is one of the best on the disc. The quartet is far more appealing and adventurous than the trio. All their tracks show just how well these musicians worked together weaving around the melody and chords with added quotes and breaks as they got into the mood of things. They were renowned for their clever and intricate introductions and there is no greater evidence of this than on ‘Runnin’ Wild’ and ‘I’m a Ding Dong Daddy.’ Having said that I find the most involved and exciting piece is ‘Dizzy Spells.’ Dave Tough’s crisp brushwork lays down a presto tempo whilst the other three excel themselves in both instrumental technique and ad lib soloing. Overall Goodman and his musicians give more than a satisfactory account of themselves and the disc is recommended. ~ Jack Ashby http://www.musicweb-international.com/jazz/2002/Oct02/Goodman_small.htm

Personnel:  Benny Goodman, Clarinet – Teddy Wilson, Piano – Lionel Hampton, Vibraphone – Gene Krupa, Drums

The Legendary Small Groups

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Gene Krupa - Krupa Plays Mulligan Arrangements

Styles: Jazz, Big Band
Year: 1958
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:54
Size: 101,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:04)  1. Bird House
(3:16)  2. Margie
(4:02)  3. Mulligan Stew
(3:50)  4. Begin The Beguine
(2:47)  5. Sugar
(2:52)  6. The Way Of All Flesh
(3:10)  7. Disc Jockey Jump
(3:22)  8. Birds Of A Feather
(3:39)  9. Sometimes I'm Happy
(3:19) 10. How High The Moon
(4:50) 11. If You Were The Only Girl In The World
(5:37) 12. Yardbird Suite

Gerry Mulligan was only 19 in 1946 when he joined Gene Krupa's band, playing a bit of alto and tenor sax, but primarily serving as an arranger. But the Verve LP Gene Krupa Plays Gerry Mulligan Arrangements wasn't made until 1958, long after Mulligan went out on his own. Although there are solo features built into the framework of each piece, Mulligan was quite confident in his ability to showcase the entire band as well. Mulligan's "Disc Jockey Jump" became a hit for Krupa, though it wasn't recorded until after he left the band. The vague liner notes fail to identify any of the musicians in Krupa's big band, which includes Jimmy Cleveland, Hank Jones, Barry Galbraith, Kai Winding, and Phil Woods, though Woods' alto sax solos are easily identifiable to his fans. Baritone saxophonist Danny Bank is a bit disappointing compared to what Mulligan could have recorded on the instrument, though it would have been unlikely that the composer would have been interested in rejoining Krupa, even for one record date, at the time it was recorded. It's surprising that this excellent LP remained out of print for so long, particularly with the strong resurgence of interest in all aspects of Mulligan's work since his death in 1996. ~ Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/plays-gerry-mulligan-arrangements-mw0000205730

Personnel:  Alto Saxophone – Phil Woods, Sam Marowitz;  Arranged By, Conductor – Gerry Mulligan;  Baritone Saxophone – Danny Bank;  Bass – James Gannon;  Drums – Gene Krupa;  Guitar – Barry Galbraith;  Piano – Hank Jones;  Tenor Saxophone – Ed Wasserman, Frank Socolow;  Trombone – Billy Byers, Eddie Bert, Jimmy Cleveland, Kai Winding, Urbie Green , Willie Dennis;  Trumpet – Al De Risi, Al Stewart, Doc Severinsen, Ernie Royal, Marky Markowitz

Krupa Plays Mulligan Arrangements

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Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton, Teddy Wilson - The Complete 1955 Session

Styles: Vibraphone And Piano Jazz
Year: 1955
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:54
Size: 130,4 MB
Art:

(8:21)  1. Avalon
(6:32)  2. Just You, Just Me
(7:41)  3. Blues for Benny
(8:51)  4. I Got Rhythm
(5:56)  5. Moonglow
(7:13)  6. Airmail Special
(5:14)  7. The Man I Love
(7:03)  8. Body and Soul

This CD release contains the one and only quartet session by Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton and Teddy Wilson without Benny Goodman, presented here in its entirety and for the first time ever on CD. With the sole addition of bassist Red Callender, the three stars swing from start to finish on this horn-less session that was originally issued in divided form onto an LP (Clef MGC681) and a difficult to find British 45 rpm EP (titled 'Strollin' Along' SEB 10086). http://www.freshsoundrecords.com/gene-krupa-lionel-hampton-teddy-wilson-albums/6057-the-complete-1955-sessions.html

Personnel:  Gene Krupa (d), Linel Hampton (vib), Teddy Wilson (p), Red Callender (b)

The Complete 1955 Session

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Gene Krupa - Drums Drums Drums

Styles: Jazz, Swing
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:04
Size: 140,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:00)  1. Drummin' Man
(3:04)  2. Leave Us Leap
(3:10)  3. Drum Boogie
(3:23)  4. Boogie Blues
(2:53)  5. Bolero At The Savoy
(2:55)  6. Lover
(3:17)  7. Massachusetts
(2:55)  8. Symphony In Riffs
(2:58)  9. Opus One
(2:39) 10. After You've Gone
(2:35) 11. Do You Wanna Jump, Children
(2:59) 12. Tuxedo Junction
(3:25) 13. Boog-It
(3:25) 14. Body & Soul
(3:13) 15. That's What You Think
(3:17) 16. Wire Brush Stomp
(2:30) 17. Nagasaki
(3:12) 18. Disk Jockey Jump
(2:43) 19. Rhumboogie
(3:20) 20. How High The Moon

This 20-song collection, evidently made up of radio airchecks that are effectively out of copyright overseas, makes a good companion to Sony's Gene Krupa hits and Anita O'Day/Roy Eldridge collections. It doesn't have "Let Me Off Uptown," but it does include O'Day's extraordinary "Boogie Blues," "Bolero at the Savoy," and "Massachusetts," and performances by scat-singing star Leo Watson. Further, Roy Eldridge is featured on at least half the cuts here in prominent solos, but the producers have also included tracks by the later Krupa line-ups, which included Charlie Ventura and Gerry Mulligan, working in leaner, more modern jazz surroundings. The sound quality is above average for the period, with minimal distortion and a clean, close sound. The drums, of course, are prominent (nowhere more so than on "Wire Brush Stomp"), but the solos by Eldridge and the other featured members of Krupa's various bands also come out loud and richly textured. Of the music itself, there's only one really weak link here, Krupa's much-too-fast treatment of the Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart waltz "Lover," and it is more than made up for by the presence of O'Day's singing on "That's What You Think." And it's all budget priced too. ~ Bruce Eder http://www.allmusic.com/album/drums-drums-drums-mw0000533832

Personnel:  Drums – Gene Krupa;  Saxophone – Charlie Ventura (tracks: 14);  Trumpet – Roy Eldridge (tracks: 10);  Vocals – Anita O'Day (tracks: 4, 5, 7, 9, 15), Irene Daye (tracks: 1, 3, 13, 19), Leo Watson (tracks: 11, 17)

Drums Drums Drums

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Gene Krupa - Wire Brush Stomp: Original Recordings 1935-1940

Styles: Jazz, Swing
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:32
Size: 142,2 MB
Art: Front

(2:41)  1. The Last Round-Up
(2:42)  2. Jazz Me Blues
(3:09)  3. Blues of Israel
(2:44)  4. Three Little Words
(2:58)  5. Barrelhouse
(2:56)  6. The World Is Waiting for the S
(3:07)  7. I Hope Gabriel Likes My Music
(3:04)  8. Mutiny in the Parlor
(3:00)  9. I'm Gonna Clap My Hands
(2:59) 10. Swing Is Here
(2:12) 11. I Know That You Know
(2:59) 12. Apurksody
(2:31) 13. Nagasaki
(3:07) 14. Quiet and Roll 'Em
(2:16) 15. Wire Brush Stomp
(3:03) 16. The Madam Swings It
(2:55) 17. Jungle Madness
(3:10) 18. Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-Der-E
(5:46) 19. Blue Rhythm Fantasy
(3:03) 20. Drummin' Man

The first drummer to be a superstar, Gene Krupa may not have been the most advanced drummer of the 1930s but he was in some ways the most significant. Prior to Krupa, drum solos were a real rarity and the drums were thought of as a merely supportive instrument. With his good looks and colorful playing, he became a matinee idol and changed the image of drummers forever. Gene Krupa made history with his first record. For a session in 1927 with the McKenzie-Condon Chicagoans, he became the first musician to use a full drum set on records. He was part of the Chicago jazz scene of the 1920s before moving to New York and worked in the studios during the early years of the Depression. In December 1934 he joined Benny Goodman's new orchestra and for the next three years he was an important part of Goodman's pacesetting big band. Krupa, whose use of the bass drum was never too subtle, starred with the Goodman Trio and Quartet, and his lengthy drum feature "Sing, Sing, Sing" in 1937 was historic. After he nearly stole the show at Goodman's 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert, Krupa and Goodman had a personality conflict and the former soon departed to form his own orchestra. It took the drummer a while to realize with his band that drum solos were not required on every song! Such fine players as Vido Musso, Milt Raskin, Floyd O'Brien, Sam Donahue, Shorty Sherock, and the excellent singer Irene Daye were assets to the Krupa Orchestra and "Drum Boogie" was a popular number but it was not until 1941 when he had Anita O'Day and Roy Eldridge that Krupa's big band really took off. Among his hits from 1941-1942 were "Let Me Off Uptown," "After You've Gone," "Rockin' Chair" and "Thanks for the Boogie Ride." Krupa made several film appearances during this period, including a very prominent featured spot in the opening half-hour of the Howard Hawks comedy Ball of Fire, performing an extended version of "Drum Boogie" (with Roy Eldridge also featured), and William Dieterle's faux jazz history, Syncopation. Unfortunately, Krupa was arrested on a trumped-up drug charge in 1943, resulting in bad publicity, a short jail sentence, and the breakup of his orchestra. In September 1943 he had an emotional reunion with Benny Goodman (who happily welcomed him back to the music world). Krupa also worked briefly with Tommy Dorsey before putting together another big band in them middle of 1944, this one with a string section. 

The strings only lasted a short time but he was able to keep the group working into 1951. Tenor saxophonist Charlie Ventura and pianist Teddy Napoleon had a trio hit in "Dark Eyes" (1945), Anita O'Day returned for a time in 1945 (scoring with "Opus No. 1") and, although his own style was unchanged (being a Dixieland drummer at heart), Krupa was one of the first swing big bandleaders to welcome the influence of bebop into his group's arrangements, some of which were written by Gerry Mulligan (most notably "Disc Jockey Jump"). Among the soloists in the second Krupa Orchestra were Don Fagerquist, Red Rodney, Ventura, altoist Charlie Kennedy, tenorman Buddy Wise, and in 1949 Roy Eldridge. After breaking up his band in 1951, Krupa generally worked with trios or quartets (including such sidemen as Ventura, Napoleon, Eddie Shu, Bobby Scott, Dave McKenna, Eddie Wasserman, Ronnie Ball, Dave Frishberg, and John Bunch), toured with Jazz at the Philharmonic, ran a drum school with Cozy Cole and had occasional reunions with Benny Goodman. In 1959, Columbia Pictures released The Gene Krupa Story, a biographical drama based on Krupa's life starring Sal Mineo in the title role and Red Nichols in a supporting part. Gradually worsening health in the '60s resulted in him becoming semi-retired but Krupa remained a major name up until his death. Ironically his final recording was led by the same person who headed his first appearance on records, Eddie Condon. Gene Krupa's pre-war big-band records are gradually being released by the Classics label. ~ Scott Yanow https://itunes.apple.com/mn/album/wire-brush-stomp-original/id193107265

Personnel:  Drums – Gene Krupa ;  Alto Saxophone – Mascagni Ruffo (tracks: 11 to 20);  Bass – Horace Rollins (tracks: 11 to 20), Israel Crosby (tracks: 1 to 10);  Clarinet – Benny Goodman (tracks: 1 to 10); Guitar – Allan Reuss (tracks: 1 to 10), Ray Biondi (tracks: 11 to 20);  Piano – Jess Stacy (tracks: 1 to 10), Milt Raskin (tracks: 11, 13, 15, 17 to 20);  Tenor Saxophone – Dick Clark (tracks: 1 to 7), Sam Donahue (tracks: 11 to 20), Sam Musiker (tracks: 12, 14, 16, 18);  Trombone – Bruce Squires (tracks: 11 to 20), Joe Harris (2) (tracks: 1 to 7);  Trumpet – Nate Kazebier (tracks: 1 to 7)

Wire Brush Stomp

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Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich - Krupa And Rich

Styles: Jazz, Swing
Year: 1955
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:59
Size: 166,9 MB
Art: Front

(10:30)  1. Buddy's Blues
(13:57)  2. Bernie's Tune
( 7:47)  3. Gene's Blues
( 8:50)  4. Sweethearts On Parade
( 8:54)  5. I Never Knew
(10:51)  6. Sunday
(11:06)  7. The Monster

On this CD reissue, drummers Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich only actually play together on one of the seven songs, a lengthy rendition of "Bernie's Tune" that has a six-minute "drum battle." Krupa and Rich do perform two songs apiece with a remarkable all-star band consisting of trumpeters Dizzy Gillespie and Roy Eldridge, tenors Illinois Jacquet and Flip Phillips, pianist Oscar Peterson, guitarist Herb Ellis, and bassist Ray Brown. Each of the principals get some solo space, giving this release more variety than one might expect. In addition there are two bonus cuts from a Buddy Rich date that feature the drummer with trumpeters Thad Jones and Joe Newman, tenors Ben Webster and Frank Wess, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, and rhythm guitarist Freddie Green. Excellent music overall if not quite essential. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/krupa-and-rich-mw0000111452

Personnel: Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich (drums); Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge, Thad Jones, Joe Newman (trumpet); Illinois Jacquet, Flip Phillips, Ben Webster, Frank Wess (tenor saxophone); Oscar Peterson (piano); Freddie Green, Herb Ellis (guitar); Ray Brown (bass).

Krupa And Rich

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