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Gene Krupa

Eugene Bertram Krupa (January 15, 1909 – October 16, 1973), known as Gene Krupa, was an American jazz drummer, bandleader and composer who performed with energy and showmanship. His drum solo on Benny Goodman's 1937 recording of "Sing, Sing, Sing" elevated the role of the drummer from an accompanist to an important solo voice in the band.

In collaboration with the Slingerland drum and Zildjian cymbal manufacturers, he was a major force in defining the standard band drummer's kit. Krupa is considered "the founding father of the modern drumset" by Modern Drummer magazine.

Upon his death, The New York Times labeled Krupa a "revolutionary" known for "frenzied, flashy" drumming, with his work having generated a significant musical legacy that started "in jazz and has continued on through the rock era."

Birth and Death Data: Born January 15, 1909 (Chicago), Died October 16, 1973 (Yonkers)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1927 - 1962

Roles Represented in DAHR: drums, traps, leader, composer, songwriter

Notes: Full name: Eugene Bertram Krupa

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-56727 10-in. 9/30/1929 Lookin' good but feelin' bad Fats Waller’s Buddies ; Four Wanderers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BVE-56728 10-in. 9/30/1929 I need someone like you Fats Waller’s Buddies ; Four Wanderers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BVE-57145 10-in. 11/14/1929 Hello Lola Mound City Blue Blowers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BVE-57146 10-in. 11/14/1929 One hour Mound City Blue Blowers Jazz/dance band composer, instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BVE-59800 10-in. 5/21/1930 Rockin' chair Hoagy Carmichael Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal duet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BVE-62301 10-in. 5/21/1930 Barnacle Bill, the sailor Hoagy Carmichael Orchestra ; Carson Robison Jazz/dance band, with 2 male vocal solos and male vocal chorus instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-92210 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Makin' whoopee Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-92211 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 I would do most anything for you Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-92212 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Rose room Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-92213 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Pardon my love Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-92214 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 St. Louis blues Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-92215 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Can't we be friends Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-92216 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Royal Garden blues Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-92217 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 When we're alone Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-92218 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Sometimes I'm happy Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-92219 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Anything goes Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-92220 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Down by the river Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-92221 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Ding dong daddy from Dumas Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-92222 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Stompin' at the Savoy Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-92546 10-in. 7/1/1935 Sometimes I'm happy Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-92547 10-in. 7/1/1935 King Porter Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-92549 10-in. 7/1/1935 Jingle bells Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-92704 10-in. 7/13/1935 After you've gone Benny Goodman Trio ; Gene Krupa ; Teddy Wilson Jazz/dance trio instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-92705 10-in. 7/13/1935 Body and soul Benny Goodman Trio ; Gene Krupa ; Teddy Wilson Jazz/dance trio instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-92706 10-in. 7/13/1935 Who? Benny Goodman Trio Jazz/dance trio instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-92707 10-in. 7/13/1935 Someday sweetheart Benny Goodman Trio ; Gene Krupa ; Teddy Wilson Jazz/dance trio instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-96299 10-in. 11/22/1935 Sandman Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor PBS-97017 10-in. 9/27/1935 Madhouse Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor PBS-97752 10-in. 8/21/1936 Moon glow Benny Goodman Quartet Jazz/dance quartet instrumentalist, traps  
Victor PBS-97772 10-in. 8/26/1936 Dinah Benny Goodman Quartet Jazz/dance quartet instrumentalist, traps  
Victor PBS-97773 10-in. 8/26/1936 Exactly like you Benny Goodman Trio ; Lionel Hampton Jazz/dance trio, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, drums  
Victor PBS-97774 10-in. 8/26/1936 Vibraphone blues Benny Goodman Quartet Jazz/dance quartet songwriter, instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-100012 10-in. 2/29/1936 I hope Gabriel likes my music Gene Krupa's Swing Band ; Benny Goodman Jazz/dance band, with clarinet solo leader  
Victor BS-100013 10-in. 2/29/1936 Mutiny in the parlor Gene Krupa's Swing Band ; Helen Ward Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo leader  
Victor BS-100014 10-in. 2/29/1936 I'm gonna clap my hands Gene Krupa's Swing Band ; Helen Ward Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo leader  
Victor BS-100015 10-in. 2/29/1936 Swing is here Gene Krupa's Swing Band Jazz/dance band leader, composer  
Victor BS-100395 10-in. 4/23/1936 China boy Benny Goodman Trio Jazz/dance trio instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-100396 10-in. 4/23/1936 More than you know Benny Goodman Trio Jazz/dance trio instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-100397 10-in. 4/23/1936 All my life Benny Goodman Trio ; Helen Ward Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance trio instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-100500 10-in. 4/27/1936 Oh, lady be good! Benny Goodman Trio Jazz/dance trio instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-100501 10-in. 4/27/1936 Nobody's sweetheart Benny Goodman Trio Jazz/dance trio instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-100502 10-in. 4/27/1936 Too good to be true Benny Goodman Trio ; Helen Ward Jazz/dance trio, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-02103 10-in. 10/7/1936 Riffin' at the Ritz Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-02460 10-in. 11/5/1936 Bugle call rag Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-03062 10-in. 11/18/1936 Sweet Sue (Just you) Benny Goodman Quartet Jazz/dance quartet instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-03063 10-in. 11/18/1936 My melancholy baby Benny Goodman Quartet Jazz/dance quartet instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-03064 10-in. 11/18/1936 Tiger rag Benny Goodman Trio Jazz/dance trio instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-03549 10-in. 12/9/1936 When you and I were young, Maggie Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-03550 10-in. 12/9/1936 Gee! But you're swell Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Helen Ward Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-03551 10-in. 12/9/1936 Smoke dreams Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Helen Ward Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-03552 10-in. 12/9/1936 Swing low, sweet chariot Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-03872 10-in. 12/30/1936 He ain't got rhythm Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Jimmy Rushing Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-03873 10-in. 12/30/1936 Never should have told you Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Margaret McCrae Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-03874 10-in. 12/30/1936 This year's kisses Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Margaret McCrae Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-03875 10-in. 12/30/1936 You can tell she comes from Dixie Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Margaret McCrae Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-04235 10-in. 1/14/1937 Goodnight my love Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Frances Hunt Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-04236 10-in. 1/14/1937 I want to be happy Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-04237 10-in. 1/14/1937 Chlo-e (Song of the swamp) Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-04238 10-in. 1/14/1937 Rosetta Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-04561 10-in. 2/3/1937 Runnin' wild Benny Goodman Quartet Jazz/dance quartet instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-04582 10-in. 2/8/1937 My last affair Lionel Hampton Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-04583 10-in. 2/8/1937 Jivin' the vibres Lionel Hampton Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-04584 10-in. 2/8/1937 The mood that I'm in Lionel Hampton Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-04585 10-in. 2/8/1937 Stomp Lionel Hampton Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor PBS-09569 10-in. 7/6/1937 Peckin' Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor PBS-09570 10-in. 7/6/1937 Can't we be friends? Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor PCS-09571 12-in. 7/6/1937 Sing, sing, sing Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor PCS-09572 12-in. 7/6/1937 Sing, sing, sing Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor PBS-09576 10-in. 7/7/1937 Roll 'em Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor PBS-09577 10-in. 7/7/1937 When it's sleepy time down South Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor PBS-09578 10-in. 7/7/1937 Afraid to dream Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Betty Van Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor PBS-09579 10-in. 7/7/1937 Changes Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor PBS-09627 10-in. 7/30/1937 Avalon Benny Goodman Quartet Jazz/dance quartet instrumentalist, traps  
Victor PBS-09628 10-in. 7/30/1937 Handful of keys Benny Goodman Quartet Jazz/dance quartet instrumentalist, traps  
Victor PBS-09632 10-in. 7/30/1937 The man I love Benny Goodman Quartet Jazz/dance quartet instrumentalist, traps  
Victor PBS-09633 10-in. 8/2/1937 Smiles Benny Goodman Quartet Jazz/dance quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor PBS-09634 10-in. 8/2/1937 Liza Benny Goodman Quartet Jazz/dance quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-015575 10-in. 10/29/1937 Where or when Benny Goodman Trio Jazz/dance trio instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-015576 10-in. 10/29/1937 Silhouetted in the moonlight Benny Goodman Trio ; Martha Tilton Jazz/dance trio, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-015577 10-in. 10/29/1937 Vieni, vieni Benny Goodman Quartet Jazz/dance quartet instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-017039 10-in. 11/12/1937 You took the words right out of my mouth Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Martha Tilton Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-017040 10-in. 11/12/1937 Mama, that moon is here again Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Martha Tilton Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-017041 10-in. 11/12/1937 Loch Lomond Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Martha Tilton Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-017042 10-in. 11/12/1937 Camel hop Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-017043 10-in. 11/12/1937 True confession Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Martha Tilton Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-017044 10-in. 11/12/1937 Life goes to a party Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-017451 10-in. 12/2/1937 I'm a ding dong daddy from Dumas Benny Goodman Quartet Jazz/dance quartet instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-017454 10-in. 12/3/1937 If dreams come true Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-017455 10-in. 12/3/1937 I'm like a fish out of water Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Martha Tilton Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-017456 10-in. 12/3/1937 Sweet stranger Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Martha Tilton Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-017754 10-in. 12/21/1937 Bei mir bist du schön Benny Goodman Quartet ; Martha Tilton Jazz/dance quartet, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-017783 10-in. 12/29/1937 Bei mir bist du schön Benny Goodman Quartet ; Martha Tilton Jazz/dance quartet, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-019831 10-in. 2/16/1938 Don't be that way Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-019832 10-in. 2/16/1938 One o'clock jump Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-035054 10-in. 3/17/1939 Some like it hot Charlie Barnet Orchestra ; Judy Ellington Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-Test-2435 10-in. 12/9/1936 Smoke dreams Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Columbia W152568 10-in. 11/27/1933 Your mother's son-in-law Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Billie Holiday ; Buck Washington Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, drums  
Columbia W152650 10-in. 12/18/1933 Riffin' the scotch Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Billie Holiday Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, drums  
OKeh W82030 10-in. 12/8/1927 Sugar McKenzie and Condon's Chicagoans Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
OKeh W82031 10-in. 12/8/1927 China boy McKenzie and Condon's Chicagoans Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
OKeh W82082 10-in. 12/16/1927 Nobody's sweetheart McKenzie and Condon's Chicagoans Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
OKeh W82083 10-in. 12/16/1927 Liza McKenzie and Condon's Chicagoans Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
OKeh W400899 10-in. 7/28/1928 Oh, baby! Eddie Condon's Quartet Instrumental quartet, with vocal introduction instrumentalist, drums  
OKeh W401035 10-in. 7/28/1928 Indiana Eddie Condon's Quartet Jazz/dance quartet, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, drums  
Brunswick B20105 10-in. 10/21/1936 Easy to love Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, drums  
Brunswick B20106 10-in. 10/21/1936 With thee I swing Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, drums  
Brunswick B20107 10-in. 10/21/1936 The way you look tonight Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, drums  
Brunswick B20142 10-in. 10/28/1936 Who loves you? Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, drums  
Gennett 16950 10-in. 8/28/1930 Shake that thing Wingy Manone Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo (scat) instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 39378 10-in. 2/20/1935 Baby brown New Orleans Rhythm Kings instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 39379 10-in. 2/20/1935 No lovers allowed New Orleans Rhythm Kings instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 39380 10-in. 2/20/1935 (Oh! Susanna) Dust off that old piano New Orleans Rhythm Kings instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 39381 10-in. 2/20/1935 Since we fell out of love New Orleans Rhythm Kings instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 39395 10-in. 3/12/1935 Lookie, Lookie, Lookie, here comes Cookie Cleo Brown instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 39396 10-in. 3/12/1935 You're a heavenly thing Cleo Brown instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 39397 10-in. 3/12/1935 I'll take the South Cleo Brown instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 39398 10-in. 3/12/1935 The stuff is here and it's mellow Cleo Brown instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 39399 10-in. 3/12/1935 Boogie woogie (Pinetop's boogie woogie) Cleo Brown instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89016 August 1955 Let's dance-1 Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89017 August 1955 Down south camp meetin'-2 Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89018 August 1955 King Porter stomp-2 Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89019 August 1955 It's been so long Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89020 August 1955 Roll 'em-5 Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89021 August 1955 Bugle call rag Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89022 August 1955 Don't be that way-4 Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89023 August 1955 You turned the tables on me Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89024 August 1955 Goody goody Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89025 August 1955 Slipped disc-6 Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89026 August 1955 Stompin' at the Savoy-4 Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89027 August 1955 One o'clock jump-2 Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89028 August 1955 Memories of you-7 Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89029 August 1955 China boy-7 Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89030 August 1955 Moonglow-8 Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89031 August 1955 Avalon-8 Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89032 August 1955 Alicia's blues Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89033 August 1955 And the angels sing -9 Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89034 August 1955 Jersey bounce Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89035 August 1955 Sometimes I'm happy-2 Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89036 August 1955 Shine-10 Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89037 August 1955 Sing sing sing-10 Benny Goodman and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 90445 10-in. 11/16/1935 In the dark-1 Jess Stacy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 90446 10-in. 11/16/1935 Barrelhouse Jess Stacy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 90447 10-in. 11/16/1935 The world is waiting for the sunrise Jess Stacy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 90448 Go back where you stayed last night-1 Jess Stacy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 90460 10-in. 11/19/1935 The last round-up Gene Krupa and his Chicagoans instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 90461 10-in. 11/19/1935 Jazz me blues Gene Krupa and his Chicagoans instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 90462 10-in. 11/19/1935 Three little words Gene Krupa and his Chicagoans instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 90463 10-in. 11/19/1935 Blues of Israel Gene Krupa and his Chicagoans instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 112664 9/27/1962 Begin the beguine Cozy Cole instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 112665 9/27/1962 I love Paris Cozy Cole instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 112666 9/27/1962 What is this thing called love? Cozy Cole instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 112667 9/27/1962 I could have danced all night Cozy Cole instrumentalist, drums  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Krupa, Gene," accessed November 21, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103342.

Krupa, Gene. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103342.

"Krupa, Gene." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 21 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103342

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