| Gene Krupa |
|
|
| Home > Pop Posters > Music Posters > Gene Krupa | Click here to buy posters! |
|
Gene Krupa | |
|
Born: January 15, 1909 Hometown: Chicago, Illinois Instrument: Drums Music Training: Formally trained as a child most notably by Roy C. Knapp Bands and Orchestras: Eddie Condon, Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa Band, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman Quartet Signature Song: "Starburst" Gene Krupa biography: The youngest of 9 children his father died when he was very young forcing his mother to work as a milliner to support the family. Since all the children had to work at an early age to help support the family Gene got a job doing chores at a music store where his brother Pete worked. He started out in grade school playing the sax but switched to the drums because they were the cheapest instrument in the catalog. His parents were very religious and groomed Gene for the priesthood. He even attended St. Joseph's College for a year. Gene joined his first band "The Frivolians" while still in grammar school. After he joined the union he got many local gigs playing with various bands like Joe Kayser and the Benson Orchestra. After hours he jammed at a local music hangout called the "The Three Deuces." Here he met the likes of Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman. He is credited with being the first drum soloist. Up to that time the drummer just kept the beat. In 1929 he moved to New York where he was recruited by Red Nichols. While in New York he also landed a pit gig playing with the likes of Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller for the Gershwin play Strike Up The Band even though he was unable to read sheet music. After stints with several other groups he finally landed with the Benny Goodman Band. During the groups famous cross country tour the band was relegated to playing dance music which didn't sit well with either Krupa or Goodman. Finally upon reaching the Palomar in Los Angeles Goodman decided to play their own arrangements. The audience went wild and the Swing Era was born. On January 16, 1938 the group became the first Jazz act to play at New York's Carnegie Hall. Gene's solo performance on Louis Prima's "Sing, Sing, Sing" was heralded as the first extended drum solo. Gene became the victim of his own success when audiences demanded that Goodman feature him on more numbers, this led to a parting of the ways. Norman Granz featured the Gene Krupa trio at his "Jazz at the Philharmonic" in the 40s. In the 50s he took part in recordings of the battle of the drums with legendary drummer Buddy Rich. Along with Cozy Cole Gene formed the Krupa-Cole Drum School in 1954. His life was immortalized in the 1959 Hollywood film The Gene Krupa Story starring Sal Mineo. This caused him to leave his teaching position at his school to once again hit the road performing. By the 60s although still popular especially after the movie he was forced to slow down due to failing health which forced him to retire in 1967. In 1970 he once again came out of retirement to perform at New York's Plaza Hotel. Died: October 16, 1973 Links to sites of interest about Gene Krupa: |
 
The Hottest Concerts. The Best Tickets. StubHub.com Music by the Decade: |