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.

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

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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.

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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.

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January 15: January 15 is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 350 days remaining (351 in leap years)....

1909: 1909 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar)....

October 16: October 16 is the 289th day of the year (290th in Leap years). There are 76 days remaining....

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