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Click here for Brooks Tegler's Book
Click here for The GK Lounge
America's Ace Drummer Man here
Brooks Tegler on GK Equipment here
Click here for Gene Krupa Discography
JazzLegends.com is a great site for Krupa CDs and DVDs. Click on the link
Chicago's "Little Poland" in the early 1900's, the environment that Gene grew up in (3)
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Top: Gene on the left with brother Julius
Bottom: Gene far right with brothers Peter and Julius (4) |
Young Gene (thanks to Harold Mitchell from the Rare Jazz Photo Group)
Gene third from left with brother Pete far right and friends (1)
Early publicity shot (3)
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"Chopsticks Boogie"
Artist Profile Shots
(Personal collection)
This Bass Drum is now in the Smithsonian. Click here with particular reference to Brooks Tegler's last comment.
Brooks with the Bass Drum at the Smithsonian
Click here for Brook's website to order his CD's
Click here to buy Brook's E Book
Brooks with Charlie Watts, the owner of Gene's kit above. Here for a Charlie Watts tribute
Benny Goodman and Gene 1936 (1)
At a photo shoot using the Gene Krupa model sticks from Slingerland (1)
Stanley Theatre Pennsylvania 1936 (3)
The poster above is from the 1936 Summer Tour in Stanley theatre
March 1937 at The Paramount Theatre with Benny Goodman (personal collection)
This photo was used by the Indiana University to promote their musical Swing in June 2013
This photo was used by the Indiana University to promote their musical Swing in June 2013
Sourced from Paul Testa with thanks
Paramount Theatre with The Andrew Sisters 1939
April 29th 1937 menu
May 11 1937 Chick Webb and Benny Goodman battle of the bands at the Savoy Ballroom (1)
Chick Webb. Click here
Click here for info on Baby Dodds, a great influence on Gene Krupa
From Hollywood Hotel (7)
From the 1937 movie The Big Broadcast (personal collection from Paul Testa)
From The Big Broadcast (7) Look at those non tunable toms. Click here for info on Slingerland Drums
Publicity shot for The Big Broadcast
California CBS Studios Rehearsal/Broadcast
See the great clip below for the Quartet playing on Dec 17 1959 over 20 years later
With Wife Ethel at Gene's Right. Photo thanks to Lee Sherpa (1938)
Gene and Ethel (thanks to the Rare Jazz Photos Group)
This Ethel was a Fort Worth singer who travelled with the Big Bands in the 30's and 40's. According to her daughter they were engaged to be married but never did.
Carnegie Hall New York early1900's (5)
Click here for a definitive look at 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert. Buy Jon Hancock's book here
Click here for a definitive look at 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert. Buy Jon Hancock's book here
Rehearsal for the concert
What's on? (5)
January 1938 Down Beat Magazine cover in preparation for the Carnegie Hall concert on January 16 (personal collection)
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Program notes booklet explaining swing music in the original program left and original concert ticket above (5)
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Shots from the concert (5)
From Benny King of Swing (7)
Amazing piano solo by Jess Stacy at The Carnegie Hall
Lookin' good (5)
Photo by Burt Goldblatt
Krupa leaves Goodman (7)
Gene's first band after Benny Goodman March 1938 (4)
May 1938 Down Beat Magazine with his first band including vocalists Jerry Kruger and Leo Watson (personal collection)
Gene, Martha Tilton, Frank Sinatra
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Photo Shawn Martin and Steve Taddeo
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Paramount Studios November 1938 (photo H.Kipper)
World Fair 1939
World Fair NYC 1940
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DINNER MENU FROM THE COLLEGE INN AT THE HOTEL SHERMAN, CHICAGO, DATED SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 1939. MENU IS AUTOGRAPHED BY GENE KRUPA AND HIS ORCHESTRA. 14 AUTOGRAPHS INCLUDING GENE KRUPA, SINGER IRENE DAYE, SAM MUSIKER, SAM DONAHUE, BOB SNYDER, DALTON RIZZOTTO, RAY CAMERON, REMO BIONDI, HORACE ROLLINS, MUSKY RUFFO, DICK LOTTER, BRUCE SQUIRES, JACK MOOTZ AND AL SHERMAN.
Irene Daye, one of Gene's early vocalists (click here)
Cedar Point Dance Hall Ohio 1941
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Matchbook from The Panther Room at The Hotel Sherman. All above items from personal collection.
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Saturday April 4th, 1942
1942
Westwood Gardens Dearborn Michigan Bar Menu 1940's
1940's Menu Washington D.C Nightclub
Confirming telegram for Krupa Band to play at Penn State’s Sigma Pi Orchid Dance. Telegram received at State College, Pennsylvania on April 5. The dance was on Saturday, April 27, 1940. Krupa and his band confirmed arrival by bus on the Friday night at 6:00 pm.
Roy Eldridge (here)
Roy and Gene 1943
Anita O'Day in the early 1940's. Watch this great mix for Anita here
Anita O'Day (7)
Early 1940's 16mm Soundie Film
Gene with his Packard. More info here
Gene with Fred Astaire
(Personal Collection) Nice to see him doing his bit for the community
1941
Gjon Mili photo 1941 (here)
H Slingerland, Louie Bellson, Gene
Gene with Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni better known as Louie Bellson here and here
Early 1940's publicity shots
This photo is addressed to Eddie Brown who worked at the Canobie Lake Park New Hampshire Dance Hall. From The 30's to the 50's it was a popular entertainment destination. In 1957 a fire, hurricane, robbery and the decline of the Big Band Era made it too overwhelming to continue.
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From 1943 (L) and 1958 (above)
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From the 1941 movie Ball Of Fire Barbara Stanwyck singing Drum Boogie (see below) or was it Martha Tilton (1) and here
Gene's 33rd Birthday in 1942 with Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey and friend Carol Bruce (3)
World War 2 Bass Drum Skin. "Keep 'Em Flying" is written in the bottom half of the skin (4)
This Bass Drum is now in the Zildjian Museum. Click here
This Bass Drum is now in the Zildjian Museum. Click here
Click here for the great clarinetist Artie Shaw in the left photo. Gene's "Keep 'Em Flying" Bass Drum again from this concert with Artie Shaw (photo taken by a fan named Jane Nelson in the early 40's)
Playing with Tommy Dorsey and Roy Eldridge
Gene's last performance with Tommy Dorsey was June 11 1944, then Buddy rejoined the band
1943 Down Beat Poll Winners Tommy Dorsey and Gene
Gene was made an example of and convicted of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The jury's verdict was later over ruled in the California District Court of Appeals on May 31st 1944. (1)
(Personal Collection)
(Personal Collection)
More info here and an interview with Buddy De Franco
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Back in business after the arrest at New York City's Capitol Theatre in 1944 (1)
The Band that swings with strings 1944 (1) An attempt to soften his image after his conviction
The maestro in charge of proceedings once again
Krupa left and Sonny Greer Right ( photos 26.2 45)
Astor July 1945 (Click Here)
VJ Day Hotel Astor 1945
July 1945 to Jan 1946 trio with Charlie Ventura and Marty Napoleon
Gene's backyard in Yonkers late 1945 (ignore the Vic Firth tag)
Gene's house around 2000 and with weathervane below
Gene's garden late 60's
From the movie George White's Scandals 1945 (3) See below for a scene and click here and here for organ player Ethel Smith
Buddy Stewart was a guest vocalist with Gene's Orchestra from 1945 till 1946 (click here) and below
Original Postcard of The Hollywood Palladium (Personal Collection) 1947
1947 short movie about Gene trying to make it in New York
From the featurette Follow that music (1) and here
Love that Bass Drum Click here for images of the Bass Drum
Love that Bass Drum Click here for images of the Bass Drum
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I like the last line in the bulletin. Click here for the Meadowbrook album recorded on March 31st 1946
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About Meadowbrook (here)
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Window Card Poster
At the famous Steel Pier 1948 (here)
Steel Pier 1961
Steel Pier 1963
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From the movie Beat the Band 1947 (personal collection) Love that Bass Drum. Watch the classic Boiler room scene here
Gene liked the effect of shadows
Gene the showman in Shadow Rhapsody 1947 click here (4)
With Red Rodney here
1947
Lobby Cards
Glamour Girl Poster (personal collection)
Susan Reed publicity shot (here)
Probably a gig on the way back from shooting Glamour Girl (pg 24 7.9.1947)
Smart Politics released in 1948
Make believe Ballroom released in 1949
Originally from "Thrills of Music" released June 10 1948, but also included in "Make believe Ballroom"
May 26 1949
May 26 1949
A good synopsis of film posters and lobby cards here in The GK Lounge
Cover of the September 1948 Metronome Magazine in his bebop phase (1)
With singer Dolores Hawkins 1949 (click here)
Dolores Hawkins autograph (personal collection)
and here
With James Darren in The Gene Krupa story
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A sign over Witte's Record Store reads
"Here In Person Gene Krupa Now Appearing At Click Will Be At Witte's Fri Feb 14th"
Shots in the store with Gene above and a record at The Click below
University of Michigan (above)
An earlier trio from 1945 with Charlie Ventura on sax and Marty Napoleon on piano
1949
Frances Lynne (here)
(Personal Collection)
Gene Krupa Trio with Flip Phillips on Sax and Teddy Napoleon on piano for (JATP) Jazz at the Philharmonic Sweden 1952 (1)
Tokyo 1952
JAPT Gene Krupa Buddy Rich Drum Battle Carnegie Hall Sept 13th 1952
Playing at the JATP concert in Torino Italy 17.3.53 with JC Heard above
Gene spoke up against racism. Look at the personnel in his bands
Another great drummer, Joe Morello (signed photo). Find out more here and here. Gene could have quite easily started playing Ludwig drums had they sold a set to his father at cost price back in the 1920's. He was loyal to Slingerland for his whole career. It's the little things that count. "From little things big things grow" as the song says
At the Last Frontier Hotel (The Gay Nineties Bar), 1955 with the two spotlights
Eddie Shu (Sax), Bobby Scott (piano) and John Drew (bass).
Eddie Shu (Sax), Bobby Scott (piano) and John Drew (bass).
July 1956 at The Cotton Club with Gene Krupa
Gene Played with multi instrumentalist Eddie Shu from 1954 till 1958 including the 1954 Australian Tour. (click here)
See more info on The August 1954 Australian Tour half way down the Gene Krupa Publications page here.
Benny, Teddy and Gene just before the start of 1953 tour (7)
New York rehearsal for 1953 tour
Gene led the band when Goodman was sick for the 20.5.53 concert
Taken during 1953 tour
Cartoon of the trio by Al Hirschfeld and here when they appeared on CBS television show Omnibus hosted by Alistair Cook (7) 1953
Lionel Hampton (here)
Burnin Beat Sessions
Discussing a recording session with Buddy Rich for the 1956 album Krupa and Rich (click here for Bernie's tune). Or was it for Burning Beat, recorded January 1962? (click here for duet).
1954
Behind Cozy Cole's kit filming The Glenn Miller Story (1954) See below for scene with Louis Armstrong
Gene with Helen, Glenn Miller's widow and Gloria, Jimmy Stewart's wife on the film set
Hamburg JAPT 1953
(personal collection)
"To Bourbon Street" 1954 (here)
Click here for Bobby Scott
JATP Hamburg 29.2.56. Great "Drum Boogie" solo
JATP Oslo Feb 1956
With Ethel before she passed
An informal vesion of Memories of You from the Benny Goodman Story
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The birth of The Benny Goodman Quartet playing Avalon in a small Los Angeles cafe from the movie
Reunited for the first time in 17 years, the Benny Goodman Quartet gets together, this time to record exciting music for "The Benny Goodman Story." Lionel, Gene, Teddy and Benny.
Photo by Peter Basch (click here)
Harry James, Benny Goodman and Gene hamming it up
Gene and friends. Love that Bass Drum.
One of my favourite albums from 1958. Click here for some great info on Gerry Mulligan
Timex Jazz Show with Gary Moore 1958
A shot from the late 1950's
1958 Timex Jazz Rehearsal
Out takes from the photo session above
(Personal Collection)
(Personal Collection)
Gene at Billie Holiday's funeral at Manhattan's Church of St Paul 21.7.59
Lobby Cards
(Personal Collection). See below for The Gene Krupa Story trailer. At least Gene did the drumming. Sal Mineo put in valiant effort miming his parts. The movie is short on facts.
Susan Kohner (click here)
With WMGM DJ Mike Lawrence
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Photos from the Garrick Theatre Chicago movie premiere
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Berlin poster 1959
Ed Sullivan Show 26.6.60
(Personal collection)
Gene after his heart attack with a reunion gig with The BG Quartet at Macy's Feb 8th 1961
From "The Evening Observer" 30.9.61 (Thanks to Paul Testa)
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The 2 photos above by Burt Goldblatt (Click here for more images)
Gene, Buddy Rich and Max Roach (1)
Disneyland, June 1963
New York world fair 1964 using an early metal Slingerland snare with Charlie Ventura (Photo Paul Testa)
West Palm Beach Florida Feb 21, 1964
1962 Slingerland Catalog
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Gene Krupa Quartette at the Coffee House
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U.S Navy photo Newport, Rhode Island
Gene on the Dean Martin Show 22.9.66 (season 2 episode 2) (1) Click here and here for more television appearances
Merry Christmas at The Metropole 1966. (Photo taken by Paul Testa in mirror)
Gene's Trophy (photo Don McAuly
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At the London House January 18 1967 (click here)
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Courtesy Paul Testa
From the t.v show I remember illonois 21.8.67 (personal collection)
Connecticut Jazz Festival Dec 5 1969
Louis Armstrong's funeral. Mike Douglas behind Gene, Avrel Shaw to his left, Guy Lombardo and Dizzy in front
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Timex Jazz Show at The Lincoln Centre's Philharmonic Hall, New York City (personal collection) 23.10.72
A mid 1940's shot with cornet player Wild Bill Davison. His final recording was with Wild Bill and Eddie Condon in 1972 called Jazz At The New School 45 years after Condon's Chicagoans in 1927. Love that Bass Drum
(Personal Collection)
June 29 1973 with Benny
Newport Jazz Festival 1973
From The New Yorker Magazine October 18 2021 edition in the middle of a new article about the Beatles by David Remnick. Found and posted by Brooks Tegler
Receiving an award from Papa Jo Jones in Central Park NYC July 1973 from The New York Percussion Centre
His last performance was with the Goodman Quartet on August 18th 1973 3 days after this party at Saratoga (1) A sombre moment with two of the most famous drummers in history
The above three photos taken from (1) Jerry Lewis, Gene and Buddy. Click below for a Jerry and Buddy drum battle in 1955 and a Gene and Buddy battle from the Sammy Davis Jr Show on 25 February 1966 (season 1 episode 7)
Love that snare drum
Rehearsal for The Sammy Davis Jr Show
Earlier shots of Gene and Buddy from the late 40's
Personal Collection
Laid to rest at The Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City Illinois (15.1.1909 - 16.10.1973)
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