Gene Krupa

Gene Krupa (January 15, 1909 – October 16, 1973) was a famous and influential Polish-American jazz and big band drummer, known for his highly energetic and flamboyant style.

Related Topics:
January 15 - 1909 - October 16 - 1973 - Polish - American - Jazz - Big band - Drummer

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Krupa was born in Chicago, Illinois. He began playing professionally in the mid 1920s with bands in Wisconsin.

Related Topics:
Chicago, Illinois - 1920s - Wisconsin

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Krupa moved to New York City in 1929 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 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 versions of the hit Drum Boogie.

Related Topics:
New York City - 1929 - Red Nichols - 1934 - Benny Goodman - Celebrity - 1938 - Anita O'Day - Trumpeter - Roy Eldridge - Ball of Fire

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In 1943, Krupa was arrested for possession of marijuana and was given a brief jail term. After his release, Krupa reorganized his band with a big string section, featuring Charlie Ventura on sax. It was one of the largest dance bands of the era, sometimes containing up to forty musicians. He gradually cut down the size of the band in the late 1940s, and from 1951 on led a trio or quartet. He appeared regularly with the Jazz At the Philharmonic shows.

Related Topics:
1943 - Marijuana - Charlie Ventura - 1940s - 1951

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Krupa largely went into retirement in the late 1960s, although occasionally played in public until shortly before his death by leukemia in Yonkers, New York.

Related Topics:
1960s - Leukemia - Yonkers, New York

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