Gene Krupa Albums (18)
'The Great Concert'
Release Date 4/12/2007
Tracks 7
Label Jazzlegends.com
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'Big Noise from Winnetka'
Release Date 10/21/2003
Tracks 7
Label Sounds of Yesteryear
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What The Critics Say
Recorded live in front of a hometown Chicago crowd, Big Noise from Winnetka: Gene Krupa at the London House eschews the gimmickry that often undermines Krupa's studio LPs in favor of a simple small-group setting that enables the drummer to stretch his considerable muscles across an appealingly wide variety of tempos and moods. Ably supported by reedman Eddie Wasserman, pianist Ronnie Ball and bassist Jim Gannon, Krupa indulges in the kind of sheer childlike abandon that no doubt motivates one to pick up the drumsticks in the first place -- the energy and joy of his performance here is infectious, and inspires him to creative peaks on par with any in his catalog. This is jazz at its most lively, physical and accessible. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
'His Orchestra and the Jazz Trio'
Release Date 1/21/2003
Tracks 14
Label Submarine
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'The Drum Battle: Jazz at the Philharmonic'
Release Date 11/18/1992
Tracks 7
Label Verve
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What The Critics Say
This set was initially issued as the 15th instalment in Norman Grantz's Jazz at the Philharmonic series of LPs, EPs, and 45s. As that highly collectible compilation of performances has been out of print since the 1960s, many of the volumes were later issued under the respective artists' name. As the title would imply, Drum Battle: Jazz at the Philharmonic features the artistry of the Gene Krupa Trio with Buddy Rich (drums) sitting in on a few numbers as well as the inimitable jazz scat vocalizations of Ella Fitzgerald on a hot steppin' and definitive "Perdido." Opening the disc is Krupa's trio with Willie Smith (alto sax) and Hank Jones (piano) providing a solid and singularly swinging rhythm section. While Smith drives the band, Krupa is front and center with his antagonistic percussive prodding. "Idaho" is marked with Jones' rollicking post-bop mastery as he trades solos with Smith and can be heard quoting lines from Monk before yielding to Smith. The cover of Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady" sparkles from beginning to end. Jones' opening flourish sets the tenure as Smith settles into a smoky lead, containing some nice syncopation and regal augmentation from Jones. Krupa primarily provides ample rhythm work on the emotive ballad. Smith's diversion into "Stormy Weather" is notable for exemplifying the lyrically improvisational nature of this combo. The tempo is significantly stepped up on a cover of Benny Goodman's "Flying Home," which is full of high-spirited playing and garners a sizable reaction from the audience. The lengthy "Drum Boogie" is one of Krupa's signature pieces and is greeted with tremendous enthusiasm. Buddy Rich climbs on board for a one-on-one duel with Krupa, whose styles mesh into a mile-a-minute wash of profound percussion. The duet segues into an inspired and free-form jam on "Perdido," with Fitzgerald belting out her lines with authority, class, and most of all, soul. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide
'The Great New Gene Krupa Quartet'
Release Date 1/29/1964
Tracks 12
Label Verve
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What The Critics Say
Drummer Gene Krupa's final recording as a leader reunited him with the bombastic tenor saxophonist Charlie Ventura in a quartet with pianist John Bunch and bassist Nabil Totah. The group mostly performs brief versions of standards including "Come Back to Sorrento," "Take the 'A' Train," "Flying Home," and even "Hello Dolly." Ventura's extroverted playing (on tenor, alto and baritone) is not for everyone's taste but he is in generally good form, and even an aging Krupa still retains his youthful excitement and enthusiasm. This LP will be a difficult one to find. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Gene Krupa Plays Gerry Mulligan Arrangements'
Release Date 1/1/1958
Tracks 12
Label Verve
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What The Critics Say
Gerry Mulligan was only 19 in 1946 when he joined Gene Krupa's band, playing a bit of alto and tenor sax, but primarily serving as an arranger. But the Verve LP Gene Krupa Plays Gerry Mulligan Arrangements wasn't made until 1958, long after Mulligan went out on his own. Although there are solo features built into the framework of each piece, Mulligan was quite confident in his ability to showcase the entire band as well. Mulligan's "Disc Jockey Jump" became a hit for Krupa, though it wasn't recorded until after he left the band. The vague liner notes fail to identify any of the musicians in Krupa's big band, which includes Jimmy Cleveland, Hank Jones, Barry Galbraith, Kai Winding, and Phil Woods, though Woods' alto sax solos are easily identifiable to his fans. Baritone saxophonist Danny Bank is a bit disappointing compared to what Mulligan could have recorded on the instrument, though it would have been unlikely that the composer would have been interested in rejoining Krupa, even for one record date, at the time it was recorded. It's surprising that this excellent LP remained out of print for so long, particularly with the strong resurgence of interest in all aspects of Mulligan's work since his death in 1996. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Roy Eldridge (trumpet) got the featured billing (along with vocalist Anita O'Day) he deserved on Drummer Man, a date featuring Gene Krupa fronting a big band. This was a reunion of sorts, but one that worked well, better in some cases than the original. The title's a bit misleading, for although Krupa's propulsions were clearly heard, his soloing was limited to a few features. Still, any drummer or fan of drumming will respond to the ambiance of this date. ~ Bob Rusch, Cadence, All Music Guide
'The Jazz Rhythms of Gene Krupa'
Release Date 2/7/1955
Tracks 6
Label Verve
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What The Critics Say
Having disbanded his big band in 1951, Gene Krupa began playing with his own small groups, usually a trio or quartet, as well as touring as a member of Jazz at the Philharmonic. While the rhythm section changed fairly frequently, one name that kept popping up in Krupa's combos was multi-instrumentalist Eddie Shu. Because he was adept on the trumpet, most reeds, accordion, and harmonica, Shu could make a small assembly sound much larger than it actually was, as he does here. While he was accomplished on several horns, the sax was the preferred outlet for his musical ideas, as he shows on a creatively improvisational "Tenderly." This LP, issued by the jazz section of the American Recording Society label, runs closely parallel to an album of the same title issued by Verve, with a few tunes here not appearing on the Verve release. Culling pieces from three separate sessions held in Los Angeles and New York in 1955 and 1956, Krupa uses the quartet format for an agenda of standards and a couple of his originals for a pleasing, relaxed, and swinging session that holds his drumming pyrotechnics to less than what would be expected on a Krupa-led outing. In other words, Krupa doesn't try to overwhelm his fellow playing mates with his sometimes heavy-handed approach, although he comes close on a raucous and strange "Krupa's Wail." Joining Krupa and Shu are Bobby Scott on piano with Milt Hinton, Wendell Marshall, and John Drew sharing bass responsibilities. Not the greatest Krupa ever, but good work nonetheless. Other than snippets here and there, this LP has yet to be transferred to CD. ~ Dave Nathan, All Music Guide
