My Grandpa was a drummer, and his favorite was Gene. He died when I was 4 and I wish he had lived to see me play the drums. Krupa had such a flair and charisma. His influence on the history of drums and making it more than just a background timekeeper and bringing the kit more to the forefront just cannot be overstated. Thank you once again, Gary, for shining a light on another legendary master.
Gene had musicality. He also had personality. He also did the firsts on about everything. My teacher was with him at his house on the Sunday before his death. He died that Tuesday. They were great friends. The were both into putting on a show with taste and not just speed. Musicality.
This drum reviewer instructor should be paid for his comments. His grasp of drumming precedes most if not all of us. Giving us the history of the formative years of today’s drum expressions....priceless.
His snare used to be angled down away from him. He straddled the hell out of it. I loved the way he used both ends of his sticks. Such an awesome showman.
re "space"... way back in the mid 1980s I was in a rock band, doing mostly originals (not mine, but anyway...). We were doing a sound check in a club, and one of the high-energy songs had a 2-3 beat rest between verses; normally, the drummer filled in that break. I suggested he instead STOP along with the rest of us, then kick back in at full tilt on the verse. After he tried it, we all agreed that the abrupt silence for those couple of seconds was way more effective.
M K personally I’d say Krupa, Joe Morello, Louie Bellson, Buddy, Philly Joe Jones, Shelly Manne, Kenny Clarke, Don Lamond, Sonny Payne, and Art Taylor.
Great commentary Garey...thanks for posting! Your analysis of GK is very accurate. I say this because I was fortunate to see him perform and was lucky to meet him in Toronto during a TV taping session with Buddy Rich and others. Gene was a real gentleman, very humble with a great style. As you mentioned, he was a showman on the stage and always provided great energy. And true to the history books, Gene was responsible for bringing the trap kit out from behind the bandstand. His Slingerland snare sound was legendary and he could really swing the band esp during his time with the BG quartet..marvelous stuff.
Interesting analysts , I saw and met Gene at the jazz at the philharmonic when in 5th grade. we snuck back stage. He signed an autograph and had his roadi show us the drums and gave us each a set of sticks! I've still got the autograph. Yes he used the spots on back drop curtain which was the most impressive thing I ever saw. It was wonderful !!!
As a bassist for over 50 years and a younger brother who was a drummer and our father who played clarinet and sax in many swing bands. We listened to all the great drummers. The thing that's always impressed me the most about Gene Krupa is the fluidness with which he plays. He is so loose and smooth and just falls into whatever groove he is playing with ease. Combine his technical skills with the fact that he was also a born showman and you had the winning combination. I would go so far as to say that if it hadn't been for Gene Krupa the drummer would still be some guy stuck in the back over behind the piano. Thanks to Gene Krupa The drummer finally got to get out front. Awesome video thanks for posting this.
What a fantastic big band. All the solos were unreal. What great musicians. Gene's playing is so high energy. Great time keeping and I loved the space in that second number. I almost fell of my chair when it stopped so suddenly and there was nothing for a moment. Got me good. I loved this reaction video Garey. Thanks man.
What a wonderful band and Gene was one of THE GREAT big band drummers. Yes he was a showman but always within the collective groove. Great video. Thanks Garey.
Tradition is also that in a solo, the drummer does a snare solo with rudiments..this also was in the beginning era..Gadd and others, still play just snare and bass, but spread all the rudiments through ought the kit..traditional drummers to me was like my dads drummers ..but those guys had much better facility with rudiments
I love the way you bring this around to help us appreciate just what this guy was doing. I find these bands so unselfish that the rest of the orchestra was happy to let Gene have his incredible show the speed alone is unheard of. But then the brass is happy to wait it out and that BAM perfect continuation perfect timing coming in at that split second BAM. It’s fun to listen to and it takes a lot of patience restraint and talent that’s unselfish to be part of the wait. I have an uncle and a cousin who are serious drummers really good. My cousin played for 3 bands at one time. Jazz r & b and rock. By far hardest was the Jazz. I loved watching his face in a trance when he began and he didn’t come back to earth til the band took a.break. Serious look of concentration on his face. And of course he didn’t care The drums took him somewhere else and I always wanted him to teach me.
During the late 1930s my stepfather who was also a drummer got to see Gene Krupa big band. He was around 13 so 1938. He got a signed photo from Gene that read, " To Billy, Every good wish to a swell little drummer!" Lucky for him to experience that and luckily for me I have this now.
Thanks for the response. Gene is one of my all time favorite drummers. He really set the stage for modern drumming I think. I enjoy and appreciate your videos and your analysis of various drummers. Being a musician myself, guitar, bass, drums and having brothers and my stepdad as drummers and just being around music all my life. I can tell you know your stuff and appreciate you breaking it down and your playing. Keep up the great videos! Best. Anthony
Man, that band is swinging so hard. I got the Verve BR/GK Drum Battle album when I was young, and GK’s work on that album is just astounding, especially his solo on Drum Boogie. Spot on analysis of genius drumming!
It was he and Stewart Copeland who majorly influenced me as drummers. They both showed and played with such passion and energy. They were both very influential, innovative. They were very feel type players.
Hey Garey. I watched that Daniel Glass The Century Project. Did I learn a lot. WOW!!! It was fascinating. I had no idea. I loved it. Thank You for mentioning it in this video. I am now well educated.
Beautiful! By leaving space, the notes played mean more! I have that Daniel Glass video and it is really informal. I enjoy your reviews, keep them coming!
Great video, great review Garey. Somewhere in the loft I have the Drummin' man album by Gene Krupa, which an early girlfriend's dad recommended to me as the proper way to play drums. He wasn't impressed with my punk influences. I was suprised by how hard he hits the drums, nothing too subtle at times, but I guess a big band makes a lot of noise!
It is impossible to get past just how fast this piece is. I saw the guitarist up the back strumming a backing rhythm at ridiculous pace and imagined if he had to follow the wind instruments in a solo. He doesn't but you can appreciate how fantastic all these musos are and just how much young players of today could learn from them not least of all the hyperbolic oh-so-greatism glib-fest of so many of todays players especially guitarists. And most of all you can see the whole feel of the song is driven by the rhythm section - especially the drummer. And Garey your historic and technical insights make this clip all the more enjoyable and so much more understandable musically - thank you.
I like the fact that you really get into jazz drumming a little more than other styles as the jazz style is so much deeper.I started playing in 1968 took a few lessons but mostly selftaught in hindsite i should have stuck to lesson learning as i lost the love and what skill i had but i do still like drums a lot and enjoy your features and comments.I am 66 now and think i am to old to pickup the sticks again thanks
I am also a drumming instructor. I think that Garey did a superb job analyzing this. BTW-- my personal favorite version of song number 2 (Leave Us Leap) is from the 1945 movie "George White's Scandals." Check it out. Gene is in it, and there's a terrific scene where he is at his band rehearsal. Lots of flash and showmanship, but with true solid legitimate playing as well. Garey makes many wonderful points about GK's approach to his comping, time keeping, and soloing. In this version of "Leave Us Leap," you hear Gene's signature Sixteenth Note Triplets in his solo. Anyway, Garey definitely knows his stuff. He does an excellent job.
Chick Web was a God to Gene, Buddy, Louie and many others. Gene is also responsible for the 9×13 tom tom. Those were his dimensions!! Louie once said, "you could put 10 drummers in a room, and all eyes would be on Gene" I own a set of those drums. 1948 model. They are sooo fun! Gene was on the cover of every Slingerland Drum Catalog until he passed in '73. Great analysis!!
You should check out drummer, Daniel Glass and his video series called "The Century Project" that covers the entire history of the drum set. Complete with great lectures and killer demonstrations of different eras of music 🤘🥁
It is worth mentioning a couple details about Gene and recording here. What everyone sees/hears as his solo was not recorded in the same room as the rest of the ensemble tracks. He (and everyone else) actually recorded them separately, in a sound studio, in those days so you can hear the different audio quality at the beginning of the solo and then the end as well. There were often parts where what one sees is not actually what one hears as well.The 'Hi-Hat' was Gene's favorite W&A (Walberg & Augè #502. He used those exclusively from 1935 until the mid 1960's. Also, his cross-stick accents and other accents were him just "conversing" with the arrangement a a musical way that few drummers have ever been heard doing. Being a student of Sanford 'Gus' Moeller, Gene's arm motions were an integral part of his style and were often confused as "showmanship".
I can remember walking near Times Square in Manhattan in the late 50's or early 60's, and I passed a bar that had a sign out front indicating that Gene Krupa was playing there. I walked up to the door, and I could easily hear him playing inside. After all of the bands, recordings and movies, I kind of felt sorry for him.
Thanks for that brief history of early drummers . Also check out Marvin smitty Smith with the Buddy Rich big band video , song title called "good news" .
Have you noticed how Krupa used the stick in his left hand in the traditional way (the way I was taught in the 50s) but often changes to the modern grip when playing the tom toms? This is more obvious in Sing Sing Sing.
He holds number 1 spot in my heart when it comes to drums. He is incomparable . Other favourites from him: Jungle madness Big noise from winnekta Sing sing sing Drum boogie (movie version) Great video 🤘🚬👽🤘
I still love Drums but I had a operation so the chance's of me ever getting behind the Drum set are 0% Results. My niece will just have to carry on. Also Thanks 🙋♂️🙏🏻👍 for the video Bro...
Hey Garey, I’m from Good old Europe and a highly appreciate your drum analysis ! Have you ever analysed the Great Max ROACH ! Thank you in advance👍🏻Constant🙋🏻♂️
I noticed that Gene sometimes played heavy accents with single beats on the right hand whereas many drummers, i believe would play them with left & right in many cases.
In my humble opinion, Krupa was the best. I swapped the drums for classical guitar years ago but Krupa runs through my mind pretty much constantly. ˆsaw him in person in New Orleans at Al Hurt's club in 1965.
John Bonham's biggest influences were Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. He brought big band/jazz drumming into rock music. Where do you think he got his hard hitting?
Yeah, OK, but kinda tough to compare when Gene is miming a sound that's already recorded for a movie (although nobody ever did it closer than Gene)...and I thought the classic Gene stick shot was always done with workin' the other stick, like maybe a Ratamacue rudimental figure or a Ruff or Single Drag...
Krupa once said that if you couldn't dance to the solo, then he felt he'd failed as a drummer. There's a lot to be said for that approach...Buddy Rich, his friend and "rival" once said that the drum battles they famously indulged in were pointless. "I play the drums...Gene gets the applause" Acknowledging his hero's raw charisma and musicality.
Even Krupa would immediately point out, in addition to the listed musicians, in the current comments that Big sid Catlet should always be added next to him.
Listen to Gene's solo flight ..thats the name of the solo ... Probably the greatest Rimshot snare solo of all time .. Genes solo flight ,,turn it up, so you can appreciate the rapid fire rimshots !!! ..Id hate to be in the same room as Gene while he is practicing ..One rimshot crack would rip ya bloody ear drums in half !!!..........
Drumset Artistry -- if you haven't done this already please consider both videos by Chick Webb -- pre-Gene Krupa/Buddy Rich era. Unfortunately, you can only hear Webb not see him. He was a hunchback, & short (behind the skins he was a giant). His kit was custom made & he started the career of Ella Fitzgerald. His classic drum tune here is from 1938 -- "Liza." Few people know who he is today except for die-hard big band jazz fans & some older drummers. This is the guy Krupa & Rich looked up to. The studio version: th-cam.com/video/fNdFwV_aCWU/w-d-xo.html The much faster live take: th-cam.com/video/VhSMV_Qkn_E/w-d-xo.html I played drums for years & want to thank you for your wonderful assessments -- I enjoy listening to your talk on drummers. If you get a chance BJ Wilson of Procol Harum would be a good choice ("Power Failure") -- a rock drummer who used traditional grip. Rich mentioned him one night on a late-night talk show. Complimented him. There are some live videos of the late Wilson. who used to sit extremely low on his stool. Like pianist Glen Gould would.
Gene totally in the zone truly musically and enjoying, very animated practically dancing to music, but on the drums. He sold you his playing, a total legend. Think he was a pure gentlemen, probably very humble in real life, anyway Gene is my choice over Buddy.
You should check out Todd trainer of the band shellac. Dave Grohls hero and one of the best in rock. It's all about space time and mass. Seeing yr videos todd obviously saw all this old stuff because in shellac songs they break into some times 5 minutes solos and 7 minits and just odd really interesting original and J think the greatest rock band everrrrrrrr. And IV been into rock since I was - 59 😃. They don't want money they believe in the art. Steve albini is the front man guitarist and they are what nirvana copied. Yes. But I see the mass jazz influence in heavy heavy crazy music.
Rather than reaching, using his wrists and keeping his back straight, he would temporarily lean forward using his arms to do all the fast work and attack the drums. He was not an efficient player.
No Krupa = no big band drummers, no Clarke = no modern Jazz be-pop etc there have always been innovators followed by a plethora of imitators. Same applies to every genre of music .
Has nothing to do with style . I The drummers play on the snare drum because you could not record cymbals back in the day , the cymbals distorted the sound , so the drummers used the snare or toms using the dotted eight note patten as the beat . Gene Krupa also the first drummer to work with the drum companies to create the modern Hight Hats This guys always gives wrong information or half the real story . I worked with Gene Krupa for almost three years starting in 1965 , he was sickly , but still was working , but died in 1973
Hey! Just started watching your videos and I'm absolutely loving it, you've got a sub from me! I noticed you covered Senri Kawaguchi a while back and enjoyed her performance - and you have also covered Bonham - so I thought I'd suggest another fantastic drummer from Japan. #reaction Yoyoka is a 10 year old girl from Japan who self-tought herself to drum until the age of 9 (she now gets lessons). Here is one my my favourote covers of hers: "Good Times, Bad Times" by Led Zep when she was 8! You won't be disappointed :) th-cam.com/video/91pz1E8pAOY/w-d-xo.html
I noticed that many of the old drummers ride the snare and left hand very dominant on the snare with feeing the onther hand to do other drums. then some rock drummers are foot pedal domunant and slow on the snare. i saw buddy rich doing the cross over once, but not nearly as powerful as john bonham. not sure what to say, it seems each drmmer has a hndicap, meaning relying of a partucular energetic force more dominant than the rest. kruper is all snare. not impressed with the slow accents on the snare, nor the playing on a small symbol; impressed with ttwirling the sticks within time. ia sure hes a great drummer, just the clip is too short. he tends to do all his stuff on a single drum; reminds me of the drummer for iron butterfly; he should be doing in a gadda da vida. I have seen him on other clips, and his improvisasional style is very inventive without being overly fast all the time, and perhaps he could hve been a great rock drummer. perhaps i would grab this guy if a had a band.
My Grandpa was a drummer, and his favorite was Gene. He died when I was 4 and I wish he had lived to see me play the drums. Krupa had such a flair and charisma. His influence on the history of drums and making it more than just a background timekeeper and bringing the kit more to the forefront just cannot be overstated. Thank you once again, Gary, for shining a light on another legendary master.
Gene had musicality. He also had personality. He also did the firsts on about everything. My teacher was with him at his house on the Sunday before his death. He died that Tuesday. They were great friends. The were both into putting on a show with taste and not just speed. Musicality.
This drum reviewer instructor should be paid for his comments. His grasp of drumming precedes most if not all of us.
Giving us the history of the formative years of today’s drum expressions....priceless.
His snare used to be angled down away from him. He straddled the hell out of it. I loved the way he used both ends of his sticks. Such an awesome showman.
You nailed. Space instead of a fill. Big bass drum with 4 beats. Calf heads. Using the snare for time. A rock star in his days.
re "space"... way back in the mid 1980s I was in a rock band, doing mostly originals (not mine, but anyway...). We were doing a sound check in a club, and one of the high-energy songs had a 2-3 beat rest between verses; normally, the drummer filled in that break. I suggested he instead STOP along with the rest of us, then kick back in at full tilt on the verse. After he tried it, we all agreed that the abrupt silence for those couple of seconds was way more effective.
Gene Krupa was a monster on the drums, no doubt about it.
Gene was THE first drummer to get fully tunable toms made, via Slingerland.
This video is actually from my channel. I have many videos of Gene, Buddy, and others. Just look up “drumuitar”
Who would you rank as your top 10 drummers of all time ?
@@reallymysterious4393 waaaaay too many!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOADS of talented drummers from MANY GENERATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!
M K personally I’d say Krupa, Joe Morello, Louie Bellson, Buddy, Philly Joe Jones, Shelly Manne, Kenny Clarke, Don Lamond, Sonny Payne, and Art Taylor.
@@thecrippledrummer That would be the top members in anyone's Drummers Hall of Fame - great list !
Awesome video of GK and his big band! Such a great drummer and those horns....wow! Like a freight train screaming by!
I remember being in awe of him as a kid watching a movie about him. He is one of the pioneers of drumming for sure.
Great commentary Garey...thanks for posting! Your analysis of GK is very accurate. I say this because I was fortunate to see him perform and was lucky to meet him in Toronto during a TV taping session with Buddy Rich and others. Gene was a real gentleman, very humble with a great style. As you mentioned, he was a showman on the stage and always provided great energy. And true to the history books, Gene was responsible for bringing the trap kit out from behind the bandstand. His Slingerland snare sound was legendary and he could really swing the band esp during his time with the BG quartet..marvelous stuff.
I've only just realised how much Keith Moon looked like Krupa. Even the way he made faces. It was all inspired by Krupa!
There's a huge difference.
Krupp was not mad.🤣
@@Rippenhengst Was expecting a stupid reply and got one.
@@the_nautillus9176 No need for ugly... whatsoever.
Life's shorter than yo-
Interesting analysts , I saw and met Gene at the jazz at the philharmonic when in 5th grade. we snuck back stage. He signed an autograph and had his roadi show us the drums and gave us each a set of sticks! I've still got the autograph. Yes he used the spots on back drop curtain which was the most impressive thing I ever saw. It was wonderful !!!
As a bassist for over 50 years and a younger brother who was a drummer and our father who played clarinet and sax in many swing bands. We listened to all the great drummers.
The thing that's always impressed me the most about Gene Krupa is the fluidness with which he plays. He is so loose and smooth and just falls into whatever groove he is playing with ease. Combine his technical skills with the fact that he was also a born showman and you had the winning combination.
I would go so far as to say that if it hadn't been for Gene Krupa the drummer would still be some guy stuck in the back over behind the piano. Thanks to Gene Krupa The drummer finally got to get out front. Awesome video thanks for posting this.
What a fantastic big band. All the solos were unreal. What great musicians. Gene's playing is so high energy. Great time keeping and I loved the space in that second number. I almost fell of my chair when it stopped so suddenly and there was nothing for a moment. Got me good. I loved this reaction video Garey. Thanks man.
Very interesting analysis of Gene Krupa's drumming. I'm not a drummer, but I found this interesting. Good job!
💯✨
Really appreciate your analysis Garey. Learning so much valuable stuff from them. Keep them coming..
Peter Criss, KISS' original drummer, was Gene Krupa's student.
What a wonderful band and Gene was one of THE GREAT big band drummers. Yes he was a showman but always within the collective groove. Great video. Thanks Garey.
Buddy Rich said there would be no jazz drummers without GK, don't know if that's true or not but that's what he said
someone eventually would have come along and done it, but they didn't it was Gene Krupa.
True
Tradition is also that in a solo, the drummer does a snare solo with rudiments..this also was in the beginning era..Gadd and others, still play just snare and bass, but spread all the rudiments through ought the kit..traditional drummers to me was like my dads drummers ..but those guys had much better facility with rudiments
I love the way you bring this around to help us appreciate just what this guy was doing. I find these bands so unselfish that the rest of the orchestra was happy to let Gene have his incredible show the speed alone is unheard of. But then the brass is happy to wait it out and that BAM perfect continuation perfect timing coming in at that split second BAM. It’s fun to listen to and it takes a lot of patience restraint and talent that’s unselfish to be part of the wait. I have an uncle and a cousin who are serious drummers really good. My cousin played for 3 bands at one time. Jazz r & b and rock. By far hardest was the Jazz. I loved watching his face in a trance when he began and he didn’t come back to earth til the band took a.break. Serious look of concentration on his face. And of course he didn’t care The drums took him somewhere else and I always wanted him to teach me.
I have missed a bit of your channel lately but this was a great one. The explanation of the high-hat cymbal evolution was spot on. Thank you.
During the late 1930s my stepfather who was also a drummer got to see Gene Krupa big band. He was around 13 so 1938. He got a signed photo from Gene that read, " To Billy, Every good wish to a swell little drummer!" Lucky for him to experience that and luckily for me I have this now.
Thanks for the response. Gene is one of my all time favorite drummers. He really set the stage for modern drumming I think.
I enjoy and appreciate your videos and your analysis of various drummers. Being a musician myself, guitar, bass, drums and having brothers and my stepdad as drummers and just being around music all my life. I can tell you know your stuff and appreciate you breaking it down and your playing. Keep up the great videos! Best. Anthony
Man, that band is swinging so hard. I got the Verve BR/GK Drum Battle album when I was young, and GK’s work on that album is just astounding, especially his solo on Drum Boogie. Spot on analysis of genius drumming!
Love Gary's videos and his obvious love and passion for drumming. I would like to see Gary doing a drum solo please. I guarantee, it would be badass!!
Thanks for the tip on the Daniel Glass dvd-I just ordered it from Amazon.
It was he and Stewart Copeland who majorly influenced me as drummers. They both showed and played with such passion and energy. They were both very influential, innovative. They were very feel type players.
Hey Garey. I watched that Daniel Glass The Century Project. Did I learn a lot. WOW!!! It was fascinating. I had no idea. I loved it. Thank You for mentioning it in this video. I am now well educated.
Always love to see/hear Krupa.
I was taught at 14 by one of his favorite students. Loved his swing feel.
The genius Gene, this is the super famous best stop chorus of the Music history forever!
I'm checking out Gene Krupa because Bill Ward cited him as his biggest influence and I love Bill's playing.
Absolutely, Ward was one of my greatest influences next to Krupa, Bellson and Morello.
@mojobag01,I discovered Krupa because John bonham said Krupa was the greatest drummer ever ,and his biggest influence!
Beautiful! By leaving space, the notes played mean more! I have that Daniel Glass video and it is really informal. I enjoy your reviews, keep them coming!
Great video, great review Garey. Somewhere in the loft I have the Drummin' man album by Gene Krupa, which an early girlfriend's dad recommended to me as the proper way to play drums. He wasn't impressed with my punk influences. I was suprised by how hard he hits the drums, nothing too subtle at times, but I guess a big band makes a lot of noise!
Man I love Gene. He was such a musical drummer. Boy could he swing!
Always a blast to listen to your comments! Like the wide spectrum of technique, history and so on. My favorite you tuber for sure! Thanks!
It is impossible to get past just how fast this piece is. I saw the guitarist up the back strumming a backing rhythm at ridiculous pace and imagined if he had to follow the wind instruments in a solo. He doesn't but you can appreciate how fantastic all these musos are and just how much young players of today could learn from them not least of all the hyperbolic oh-so-greatism glib-fest of so many of todays players especially guitarists. And most of all you can see the whole feel of the song is driven by the rhythm section - especially the drummer. And Garey your historic and technical insights make this clip all the more enjoyable and so much more understandable musically - thank you.
I like the fact that you really get into jazz drumming a little more than other styles as the jazz style is so much deeper.I started playing in 1968 took a few lessons but mostly selftaught in hindsite i should have stuck to lesson learning as i lost the love and what skill i had but i do still like drums a lot and enjoy your features and comments.I am 66 now and think i am to old to pickup the sticks again thanks
No your not! get back on those drums! Age is just a number!!
Hey I'm over 70 and still rockin' !!! :o)
You are NEVER too old!
I love this solo. its so smooth and, I think, musical.
Love jazz, but even though I'm not a musician I found this wonderful to watch and your explanations fascinating.
What a blast of energy a tsunami of sound!
I am also a drumming instructor. I think that Garey did a superb job analyzing this. BTW-- my personal favorite version of song number 2 (Leave Us Leap) is from the 1945 movie "George White's Scandals." Check it out. Gene is in it, and there's a terrific scene where he is at his band rehearsal. Lots of flash and showmanship, but with true solid legitimate playing as well. Garey makes many wonderful points about GK's approach to his comping, time keeping, and soloing. In this version of "Leave Us Leap," you hear Gene's signature Sixteenth Note Triplets in his solo. Anyway, Garey definitely knows his stuff. He does an excellent job.
Chick Web was a God to Gene, Buddy, Louie and many others. Gene is also responsible for the 9×13 tom tom. Those were his dimensions!! Louie once said, "you could put 10 drummers in a room, and all eyes would be on Gene" I own a set of those drums. 1948 model. They are sooo fun! Gene was on the cover of every Slingerland Drum Catalog until he passed in '73. Great analysis!!
Great video Garey. In the same vein as Krupa I’d love to hear your reaction to the great Cozy Cole! one of my favourites.
If I remember correctly, it was Cole who started keeping time with a cymbal instead of the bass drum. Completely changed drumming and jazz.
He also used more double stroke rolls whereas Krupa preferred singles
those stick shots! Fantastic!
This video is fascinating and highly informative. I never knew I should be interested in the history of the drum set. Now I want to learn more.
You should check out drummer, Daniel Glass and his video series called "The Century Project" that covers the entire history of the drum set. Complete with great lectures and killer demonstrations of different eras of music 🤘🥁
It is worth mentioning a couple details about Gene and recording here. What everyone sees/hears as his solo was not recorded in the same room as the rest of the ensemble tracks. He (and everyone else) actually recorded them separately, in a sound studio, in those days so you can hear the different audio quality at the beginning of the solo and then the end as well. There were often parts where what one sees is not actually what one hears as well.The 'Hi-Hat' was Gene's favorite W&A (Walberg & Augè #502. He used those exclusively from 1935 until the mid 1960's. Also, his cross-stick accents and other accents were him just "conversing" with the arrangement a a musical way that few drummers have ever been heard doing. Being a student of Sanford 'Gus' Moeller, Gene's arm motions were an integral part of his style and were often confused as "showmanship".
I can remember walking near Times Square in Manhattan in the late 50's or early 60's, and I passed a bar that had a sign out front indicating that Gene Krupa was playing there. I walked up to the door, and I could easily hear him playing inside. After all of the bands, recordings and movies, I kind of felt sorry for him.
Thanks for that brief history of early drummers . Also check out Marvin smitty Smith with the Buddy Rich big band video , song title called "good news" .
Jazz music is so much fun to listen to.
The Cream De la Creme of that day !! And still today )) when you got ! You got it !! Gene Kupa his soul connected to the music and his skins )))
It be nice if you could interview bun e Carlos from cheap trick he as you know so much of the drummer's and history of drums
He doesn’t interview he does reaction videos lol
Amazing history....we need this. Thank you.
I’m a little older then most of your listeners (82yrs) this man was my first influence I’ve moved on to more influences but he was the first
That's cool! Who are some more of your influences/favorites?
zpocket most of
Almost every jazz drummer that picked up a drum stick, the latest Marcus Gilmore.
I haven't heard the phrase "sock cymbal" for many years. Thanks for the reminder.
Ahh so I have Krupa to thank for when I pull out my hair when I am dialing in my reso heads!
He was very creative and really got into beat and patterns
Have you noticed how Krupa used the stick in his left hand in the traditional way (the way I was taught in the 50s) but often changes to the modern grip when playing the tom toms? This is more obvious in Sing Sing Sing.
Great video, love Gene Krupa. The trap player to whom you referred, I believe, is Steve Moore, the
'Mad Drummer'. Check him out, he's a cool cat.
He holds number 1 spot in my heart when it comes to drums. He is incomparable . Other favourites from him:
Jungle madness
Big noise from winnekta
Sing sing sing
Drum boogie (movie version)
Great video 🤘🚬👽🤘
And wasn’t Animal from the Muppets based off Gene?
Thank you!!
Love Krupa have you done cozy powell '77?
I love all of your videos. Good job man
I still love Drums but I had a operation so the chance's of me ever getting behind the Drum set are 0% Results. My niece will just have to carry on. Also Thanks 🙋♂️🙏🏻👍 for the video Bro...
Hey Garey, I’m from Good old Europe and a highly appreciate your drum analysis ! Have you ever analysed the Great Max ROACH ! Thank you in advance👍🏻Constant🙋🏻♂️
I noticed that Gene sometimes played heavy accents with single beats on the right hand whereas many drummers, i believe would play them with left & right in many cases.
In my humble opinion, Krupa was the best. I swapped the drums for classical guitar years ago but Krupa runs through my mind pretty much constantly. ˆsaw him in person in New Orleans at Al Hurt's club in 1965.
John Bonham's biggest influences were Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. He brought big band/jazz drumming into rock music. Where do you think he got his hard hitting?
Great comment! Many of the great rock drummers aspired to play as well as the great big band drummers and John was right up there! Thanks for sharing!
Uno de los grandes maestros. Y estas big bands son realmente impresionantes y disfrutables al máximo.
I agree!
Yeah, OK, but kinda tough to compare when Gene is miming a sound that's already recorded for a movie (although nobody ever did it closer than Gene)...and I thought the classic Gene stick shot was always done with workin' the other stick, like maybe a Ratamacue rudimental figure or a Ruff or Single Drag...
That tenor man... is that a young Prez (Lester Young)? I'm not sure,, but the way he holds the tenor kinda like Prez.
The tenor saxophonist is Charlie Ventura.
I love big band music.
Go gene go!
Maybe the most influential drummer of his time maybe to this day.imo
Lovin it
Me too!
Krupa once said that if you couldn't dance to the solo, then he felt he'd failed as a drummer.
There's a lot to be said for that approach...Buddy Rich, his friend and "rival" once said that the drum battles they famously indulged in were pointless.
"I play the drums...Gene gets the applause"
Acknowledging his hero's raw charisma and musicality.
Thanks for sharing that!
Manu katche has brought back those chops on little cymbals 🌅
My three favorite drummers: Gene Krupa...Ian Paice...Ringo Starr.
Good choices!
Ringo Star a drummer.Never heard him ever doing a solo.
The Mad Drummer's name is Steve Moore and you bet he's channeling the great one.
Even Krupa would immediately point out, in addition to the listed musicians, in the current comments that Big sid Catlet should always be added next to him.
Great showman as well
Yes!! Thanks Robert!
Small point, but "Sing, Sing, Sing" was written by Louis Prima, back in 1936.
Listen to Gene's solo flight ..thats the name of the solo ... Probably the greatest Rimshot snare solo of all time .. Genes solo flight ,,turn
it up, so you can appreciate the rapid fire rimshots !!! ..Id hate to be in the same room as Gene while he is practicing ..One rimshot crack would rip ya bloody ear drums in half !!!..........
Drumset Artistry -- if you haven't done this already please consider both videos by Chick Webb -- pre-Gene Krupa/Buddy Rich era. Unfortunately, you can only hear Webb not see him.
He was a hunchback, & short (behind the skins he was a giant). His kit was custom made & he started the career of Ella Fitzgerald. His classic drum tune here is from 1938 -- "Liza." Few people know who he is today except for die-hard big band jazz fans & some older drummers.
This is the guy Krupa & Rich looked up to.
The studio version: th-cam.com/video/fNdFwV_aCWU/w-d-xo.html
The much faster live take: th-cam.com/video/VhSMV_Qkn_E/w-d-xo.html
I played drums for years & want to thank you for your wonderful assessments -- I enjoy listening to your talk on drummers.
If you get a chance BJ Wilson of Procol Harum would be a good choice ("Power Failure") -- a rock drummer who used traditional grip. Rich mentioned him one night on a late-night talk show. Complimented him. There are some live videos of the late Wilson. who used to sit extremely low on his stool. Like pianist Glen Gould would.
Thank you for these links!
His name is Steve Moore.
@MorbidManMusic This drummer is at the wrong gig. He said he can't remember his name.
Swing that thing!
Sing Sing Sing was written by Louis Prima.
Bobby Jarzombek - Peppered Cancer
Gene totally in the zone truly musically and enjoying, very animated practically dancing to music, but on the drums. He sold you his playing, a total legend.
Think he was a pure gentlemen, probably very humble in real life, anyway Gene is my choice over Buddy.
Well said, Grant! Thanks for sharing!
GK sometimes doesnt know what to do next ....Buddy Rich always knew, his music was smooth
All around BETTER ERA!!!
Be honest, Gene was the best drummer ever!
You should check out Todd trainer of the band shellac. Dave Grohls hero and one of the best in rock. It's all about space time and mass. Seeing yr videos todd obviously saw all this old stuff because in shellac songs they break into some times 5 minutes solos and 7 minits and just odd really interesting original and J think the greatest rock band everrrrrrrr. And IV been into rock since I was - 59 😃. They don't want money they believe in the art. Steve albini is the front man guitarist and they are what nirvana copied. Yes. But I see the mass jazz influence in heavy heavy crazy music.
Gene started it all, some say buddy rich WRONG gene was playing in the early 20’s
Rather than reaching, using his wrists and keeping his back straight, he would temporarily lean forward using his arms to do all the fast work and attack the drums. He was not an efficient player.
No Krupa = no big band drummers, no Clarke = no modern Jazz be-pop etc there have always been innovators followed by a plethora of imitators.
Same applies to every genre of music .
Has nothing to do with style . I The drummers play on the snare drum because you could not record cymbals back in the day , the cymbals distorted the sound , so the drummers used the snare or toms using the dotted eight note patten as the beat . Gene Krupa also the first drummer to work with the drum companies to create the modern Hight Hats This guys always gives wrong information or half the real story . I worked with Gene Krupa for almost three years starting in 1965 , he was sickly , but still was working , but died in 1973
Hey! Just started watching your videos and I'm absolutely loving it, you've got a sub from me!
I noticed you covered Senri Kawaguchi a while back and enjoyed her performance - and you have also covered Bonham - so I thought I'd suggest another fantastic drummer from Japan.
#reaction
Yoyoka is a 10 year old girl from Japan who self-tought herself to drum until the age of 9 (she now gets lessons). Here is one my my favourote covers of hers: "Good Times, Bad Times" by Led Zep when she was 8! You won't be disappointed :)
th-cam.com/video/91pz1E8pAOY/w-d-xo.html
Gene was one of the first so as that goes it was very good. By standards today, very average.
But today's guys are standing on his shoulders.
I noticed that many of the old drummers ride the snare and left hand very dominant on the snare with feeing the onther hand to do other drums. then some rock drummers are foot pedal domunant and slow on the snare. i saw buddy rich doing the cross over once, but not nearly as powerful as john bonham. not sure what to say, it seems each drmmer has a hndicap, meaning relying of a partucular energetic force more dominant than the rest. kruper is all snare. not impressed with the slow accents on the snare, nor the playing on a small symbol; impressed with ttwirling the sticks within time. ia sure hes a great drummer, just the clip is too short. he tends to do all his stuff on a single drum; reminds me of the drummer for iron butterfly; he should be doing in a gadda da vida. I have seen him on other clips, and his improvisasional style is very inventive without being overly fast all the time, and perhaps he could hve been a great rock drummer. perhaps i would grab this guy if a had a band.
A little weird for me a Buddy Rich much better for example....there is not a great repertoire of hits
I think Buddy Rich is a great drummer but Gene Krupa is much better
Buddy was a highly technically accomplished drummer, but Gene Krupa was a highly accomplished musician that played the drums.
never, first was always Buddy Rich