Yes, Gene was a great drummer. He died 2 years later after that video he was 62 years old. His slingerland kit sounded great .
Big Krupa fan. When I was sorta out of the game, I saw a Krupa video and it really inspired me to start playing again. In fact, the guy who got me into drumming when I was like 4 or 5, Peter Criss, is a Krupa guy. If it wasn't for Gene, I probably wouldn't have gone in the swinging direction I did!
Anyways, wanted to share this sweet video I found of him. It's in the later stages of his life, and he's still rocking it. Cool set up, and dig his clothes, too. I happened to notice his snare, looks like a COB! Didn't know he actually used them. Great solo by Lionel, too.
Yes, Gene was a great drummer. He died 2 years later after that video he was 62 years old. His slingerland kit sounded great .
Big Krupa fan here as well ... he played a tremendous role in bringing drumming to the forefront ...
Yea...Gene !! I stole that snare drum lick he does towards the end of the song (starting at 3:18) and have used it many times on all kinds of gigs . Thanks Gene !
Rudy .
A great clip of Krupa swing.
Even better clip of a Hampton vibe solo..............wow.
Gretsch USA & Zildjian(What Else Would I Ever Need ?)
Great video, Zach. Thanks for posting. Buddy Rich is one of my idols, but Gene Krupa was one of HIS idols, so it's all good. Gene paved the way for guys like Buddy and those who followed. That LH solo is just added goodness.
JOE
Seven piece vintage Ludwig kit (1971), Sky Blue Pearl, 12, 13, 14, 16, 20, 22
Snare drums (all Ludwig): 1971 Supraphonic, 1969 SBP Classic, 1990s Blackrolite, 2012 6.5x 14 Black Magic
Zildjian Cymbals - 21 ping, 20, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14 HH, 10, 18 China, Wuhan 18 China
Five piece Sonor All Maple 3005s: 12, 13, 16, 22, 5x 14 snare
Roland TD4SX
SPL Birch Bop Kit: 13, 8, 13, 18
I just found this amazing video with Hampton on drums! He's doing a battle with Chico Hamilton and Krupa:
Each one of them has a separate sound, so incredible. I noticed that Lionel has a big melodic thing going on, while Chico seems to play with time a lot. Krupa is just FULL ON swing. It's something I don't really hear from other drummers a lot.
A lot of people mention Buddy Rich, and I dig him, but that dude was pure technical skill. I don't even get how that happens! When I see Krupa, it blows my mind because it seems to be the complete opposite of Rich. It's like instead of pure skill, it's pure swing. Not saying Gene didn't have skill (which he did; he did, full on), but he just had this ridiculous amount of swing that I really don't think many other drummers came close to having. He could do singles and it was just as good as anyone else.
I like Buddy, but I often get exasperated by his stuff because it's pure power. It's like he's going with all he's got. It's scary. I respect it. But it's tiring! Dude's were beasts
definitely a big FAN of Krupa. An influence to all
Favorite line from TV's Northern Exposure:
"Buddy had the chops, but nobody could swing like Krupa."
Life's too short to play the same solo twice. Improvise!
Gene was called the king of swing, buddy was called mr big band. Both were incredible drummers.
First time i saw Krupra i was probably about 7-8 years old watching a old black and white movie and he was playing with matchsticks on a table.. never forgot it.. (although it might not have been him and this could be totally wrong )
Ahh thanks! such an amazing scene.. (or time has just made me think so.. will have to watch it again sometime)
I think you put my feelings into words I've never quite been able to express. I've lived in awe of Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa since I was a child, but for totally different reasons. To me, Krupa's drumming was accessible and flowed from a swing mode that appeals to the "universal groove" that lies in the heart of each of us. In short, Buddy makes me want to listen; Gene makes me want to dance!"
GeeDeeEmm
Some "match" stuff in this video also
I am fascinated by the fact that the first generation of white jazz musicians were mostly young first-generation Americans. Sons of working-class immigrants from Italy, Germany, Poland (in GK's case); Jewish immigrants from Russia & elsewhere. etc. They were relatively poor and picked-on. But they were in America and had something to say, and found jazz music as their voice. I love reading about Goodman, Krupa, Teagarden, Rollini, Teschmeyer, Venuti & Lang, et al, in those early jazz years. And characters with names like Miff, Muggsy, Wingy and Bix. And I enjoy those old recordings too. I've collected many CD's of 1920's hot jazz / 1930's swing. To paraphrase the Dead Boys from decades later, they were Young, Loud and Snotty.
Last edited by JoePasko; 08-18-2015 at 02:24 PM.
If i had to pick one big band swing drummer i like most it would probably be Buddy. Nothing against any of the others but Buddy just took it to a different level.
Watched this Louie Bellson video yesterday and the feeling i got was that it felt rushed and disjointed. Kind of like trying to cram too much into too little time. Buddy's breathed and flowed so well
RDM/Damage Poets
UFiP TAMAHA Zildjian
REGAL TiP
AQUARIAN
I remember Buddy used to come on the Johnny Carson show wearing his karate gi, and break boards with his hands and feet.
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