Gene Krupa

Born Jan 15, 1909 in Chicago, IL

Died Oct 16, 1973 in Yonkers, NY

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 for a few years before moving to New York There he worked in the studios during the early years of the Depression. In December 1934 Krupa joined Benny Goodman's new orchestra and for the next three years he was an important part of Goodmans  big band. Krupa, whose use of the bass drum was never too subtle, starred with Goodman's Trio and Quartet and his lengthy drum feature "Sing, Sing, Sing" in 1937 was historic. After he nearly stole the show at BG's 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert, Krupa and Goodman had a personality conflict and Gene 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.

Some Web sites about Gene Krupa 

The New Gene Krupa Story