Gene Krupa The Gene Krupa Story
4-CD, 1998, Box, Pappschuber

Digitally remastered by Peter Rynston (Tall Order Mastering). The Gene Krupa Story is a four-CD box set anthology containing 98 tracks with a 32-page booklet. The focus is on Krupa's role as a bandleader from the late '30s through the '50s of various size ensembles that included Anita O'Day, Roy Eldridge, and Irene Daye, to name a few. The mid-price makes this Empire package attractive. ~ Al Campbell The Gene Krupa Story is a four-CD box set anthology containing 98 tracks with a 32-page booklet. The focus is on Krupa's role as a bandleader from the late '30s through the '50s of various size ensembles that included Anita O'Day, Roy Eldridge, and Irene Daye, to name a few. The mid-price makes this Empire package attractive. ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide Recorded in February 1936 through March 1947. Includes liner notes by Joop Visser. Personnel: Gene Krupa (drums); Irene Daye, Jerry Kruger, Leo Watson, Anita O'Day (vocals); Frank Worrell, Hy White, Bob Lesher, Ed Yance, Teddy Walters, Allan Reuss, Ray Biondi (guitar); Jerome Reisler, Jacob Shulman, Victor Pariente, Ted Blume (violin); George Grossman, Paul Powell (viola); Julius Ehrenwerth (cello); Murray Williams (clarinet, alto saxophone); Benny Goodman (clarinet); Musky Ruffo, Bob Snyder, Clint Neagley, Harry Terrill, Francis Antonelli, Mascagni Ruffo, George Siravo, Lenny Hambro, Adrian Tei, Rex Kittig, Bill Hitz, Johnny Bothwell, Sam Marowitz, Charlie Kennedy (alto saxophone); Chu Berry, Buddy Wise, Walter Bates, Andy Pino, Carl Biesacker, Don Brassfield, Joe Megro, Sam Donahue, Sam Musiker, Vido Musso, Charlie Ventura (tenor saxophone); Sid Brown, Stuart Olson, Jack Schwartz (baritone saxophone); Nate Kazebier, Graham Young, Tony Russo, Tony Anelli, Tom Dicarlo, Ed Shedowski, Torg Halten, Don Fagerquist, Dave Schultze, Gordon Boswell, Joe Triscari, Tom Gonsoulin, Charles Frankhauser, Jack Muntz, Vince Hughes, Ray Cameron, Pinky Savitt, Buddy Colaneri, Norman Murphy, Al Beck, Corky Cornelius, Al Porcino, Ray Triscari, Red Rodney, Roy Eldridge, Shorty Sherock (trumpet); Bob Fitzpatrick, Dick Taylor , Tasso Harris, Ben Seaman, Pat Virgadamo, Clay Hervery, Al Jordan, Nick Gaglio, Tony Tyler, Floyd O'Brien, John Grassi, Randy Bellerjean, Jack Zimmerman, Sid Brantley, Bill Culley, Andy Parker, Charles McCamish, Leon Cox, Bruce Squires, Jay Kelliher, Bob Ascher, Al Sherman, Babe Wagner, Urbie Green, Warren Covington, Tommy Pederson (trombone); Joe Springer , Buddy Neil, Jess Stacy, Milt Raskin, Teddy Napoleon (piano); Joe Dale, Louis Zito (drums). Arrangers: Duke Ellington; Fred Norman; Gene Krupa; George Williams ; Gerry Mulligan; Elton Hill; Jimmy Mundy; Sam Donahue; Ray Biondi; Budd Johnson; Chappie Willett. Personnel includes: Gene Krupa (drums); Anita O'Day, Dave Lambert, Leo Watson, Jerry Kruger, Irene Daye, Buddy Stewart, Carolyn Gray (vocals); Vido Musso, Chu Berry, Charlie Ventura (saxophone); Red Rodney, Roy Eldridge, Don Fagerquist, Al Porcino, Shorty Sherock (trumpet); Urbie Green, John Grassi (trombone); Benny Goodman (clarinet); Jess Stacy, Teddy Napoleon, Milt Raskin (piano). (cduniverse.com)



Gene Krupa attained a level of fame unmatched by any other drummer in jazz history. His performances of "Sing, Sing, Sing" with the Benny Goodman band epitomized the raw excitement of jazz in the swing era, and his subsequent celebrity, further fuelled by a 1943 arrest for marijuana possession, even led to a 1960 biopic, The Gene Krupa Story, starring Sal Mineo. This four-CD set concentrates on the decade from 1938 to 1947, providing tremendous depth on a period when Krupa was leading one of the most innovative and popular big bands of the era. Although it's budget-priced, the set has sound, selection, and documentation created using very high standards indeed. The first three CDs follow the studio evolution of Krupa's bands, while the fourth is devoted to live broadcasts from 1945 to '47. The impact of his energetic drumming is evident throughout, both in his frequent features, like "Wire-brush Stomp," and in the band's rocking covers of such tunes as "Tuxedo Junction."
The greatest moments, though, come from his inspired choice of associates, with singer Anita O'Day and the great trumpeter Roy Eldridge matching the leader's spontaneity on hits like "Drop Me Off Uptown" and "Drum Boogie." Even the ballads swing--O'Day's band debut on "Georgia on My Mind" is superb--and Krupa's drive is sufficient to propel even the large 1944 group with strings. His talents with a small group are on display in his "band within a band," the trio with tenor saxophonist Charlie Ventura that's heard on such tracks as "Dark Eyes" and "Stompin' at the Savoy." Krupa was also one of the first big-band leaders to respond to bebop, including vocalist Dave Lambert, trumpeter Red Rodney, and the young Gerry Mulligan in his band's ranks. The fourth CD shows Krupa at his most energetic, providing further perspectives on both "the band that swings with strings" and a great bandleader in the transition from swing to bop. --Stuart Broomer
Product Description (Amazon.com)





The Gene Krupa Story is a four-CD box set anthology containing 98 tracks with a 32-page booklet. The focus is on Krupa's role as a bandleader from the late '30s through the '50s of various size ensembles that included Anita O'Day, Roy Eldridge, and Irene Daye, to name a few. The mid-price makes this Empire package attractive. ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide