The song says it all, a good drummer can do well with just a good kick, snare, one rack tom, floor tom, high hat and one good crash cymbal that can double as a ride and crash when needed. If a swing drummer can't make his drums "Sing Sing Sing" like that, he or she needs to study Gene Krupa more more more. It's not about the tings & the pings and the splashes & the crashes. It's THE DRUMS THAT MOVE THE FEET.
Gene Krupa was the MASTER. Just look at today's drummers they have an artic lorry to carry their drum kit. They beat, crash and thump just to make a noise. Gene Krupa showed how it was done in 1938 when he played with Benny Goodman at Carnegie Hall. ua-cam.com/video/3KSKN9J6r74/v-deo.html
"Best" is a subjective term, but Krupa was way ahead of his time and all these years later, still sounds incredible. Young drummers could learn a lot from him. He's just a joy to watch.
What a positive attitude! Usually you see people in the comments of these types of videos complaining they were born in the wrong era. But hey, it's amazing that we have such easy access to videos/music like this.
Gene Krupa was simply the Best Ever and he played Drums in a Tuxedo or a Suit. I used to struggle in short sleeves. Long may we play Krupa's great music.
Krupa was a joy to watch and to listen to. Such a fantastic sense of rhythm. It’s interesting to note how flimsy the snare stands were in those days, compared to what we have now. You can see the snare drum swaying back and forth just from sympathetic vibration on the riser.
I never saw a drummer who could keep a beat like Krupa could. The guy was so freaking steady you could set you watch by his rhythm. Now matter the tempo either, that left foot was like a metronome. Of course, Krupa had plenty of dazzle, too. He was a first class showman
There are a few other drummers that some people will say could play "faster" than Mr. Krupa, but NOBODY had his talent for holding the overall rhythm of any piece of music....NOBODY!!
What makes Gene the greatest for me is how he could set driving grooves with simplicity and flamboyance! The recording of this song with Benny Goodman is the hottest drum orientated song of all time!!!
Lots of comments on here saying all you need is four drums and a couple of cymbals. Not true. Gene Krupa is using a lot more things than than. Taste, showmanship, musicality, sense of swing, talent....
I love his stick technique at about 1:26, but even better is the rolling thunder groove he establishes with one drum and a kick, as several others have commented, it ain't about how many drums are in the kit.
Gene, like so many greats only needed a 4 piece kit to show his talent. Why are the big kits these days necessary. Can’t they make a 4 piece sound good.
@@roybeckerman9253 well, drumming really does not work like that. I am a drummer and I find it easier to play a small kit. If anything, many toms and cymbals are distracting.
A lot of the younger drummers today, idolise their rock or heavy metal drummers. Many haven’t even heard of the greats of drumming’s Golden Era. I’m not sure who they consider the best today, but from what I’ve seen, none come close to the big band/jazz greats, like Buddy, Gene, Louie, Sonny Payne ext. Still, I suppose each generation has their own views...no matter how wrong they are 😃
DRUMMERS LIKE MYSELF ALSO , ARE A RARE BREED AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE MANY DIFFERENT FACES OF GENE KRUPA WHO'S JUST REALLY GETTING INTO WHAT HES' PLAYING !!
It has been written many times that Pearl Bailey said to husband Louis Bellson that if you put all the great drummers on the one stage, all eyes would turn to Mr Krupa. Watching this, one can understand that statement. Gene lives every beat he plays. Does anyone know what TV show this came from?.
Our traditional jazz/swing band was playing a party, arranged by the Chicago Tribune, for Gene Siskel and his family in Baroda Michigan in 1985. Pearl Bailey was there (Louis Bellson was not). Since I heard that she said that, I asked her if she actually made that comment to Louis or was it just an urban myth. She informed us that she indeed had made that statement not only to Louis but, over the years, to several other top drummers as well. Incidentally, I knew Gene and, even after almost 45 years, still miss him!
I've always regretted not trying to contact Gene when he lived in Yonkers, NY....was he as nice a person as what I've read ? You're so lucky to have known him ! Thanks !
Yes, Bruce, he was as nice a person as you have read. He was never "full of himself" and was always willing to help young drummers. He always admonished young drummers to not attempt to determine who is the fastest or the "best", but just view all great drummers as merely different "flavors". Over the years I have repeated this advice to many drummers, just as Gene would have. :) P.S. It's a pity that Gene, and other musicians of that era , couldn't have had more of their performances recorded. Heck, using today's smart phones everyone records everything! :)
Joseph Badger Hi Joe, thanks for getting back to me ! Imagine how incredible it would be if there was a film of the entire 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert ? Or when BG was on the road during 1935-38 ? Brooks Tegler, who is a real GK devotee, an excellent drummer, who has a band that does the entire 1938 concert, is in the process of writing a book on Gene !
There was a version on UA-cam with newsreel footage of the event and various stills, seems to have disappeared. Also some pages of the program - $2.50 tickets - which must have been worth something in 1938. Would not buy a cup of coffee these days. Don't think Harry James played his solo just like this on later recordings, Benny Goodman ever hit that last note again? Then Jess Stacy's solo. On the photos there are people sitting on the stage next to the orchestra - how lucky can one get?
I don’t know what it is but there’s something in the way he plays makes me prefer Gene to Buddy. Buddy obviously technically superior in the same way I prefer John Bonham to Ginger Baker. It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.
the best drummers i have ever played with used kik, snare, hat, one rack tom and one floor tom. Splash , crash and ride cymbal. Maybe a few extra things for some recordings but most good drummers can do it all with that.
Actually, a good drummer can do well with just a good high hat and one good crash cymbal that can double as a ride and crash when needed. If a swing drummer can't make his drums "Sing Sing Sing" like that, he or she needs to study Gene Krupa more more more. It's not about the tings & the pings and the slashes & the crashes. It's THE DRUMS THAT MOVE THE FEET.
I’ve never seen this clip before ...wow,! Notice the well worn heads. A lot of today’s drummers change them for each gig. Obviously not necessary, if Gene didn’t need to. When Buddy Rich had no more endorsements from 1983-87, he didn’t change his heads as often either. Is it a marketing thing today. .
drumsport I don’t know, but plastic heads were already in by then. I’m not sure what Gene preferred. As far as tone goes, a lot of that was to do with his Slingerland drums and Gene’s great playing. No one ever played with his great feeling.
I was just looking at the discoloration, which doesn't look like normal wear from beating on them. Yeah, Gene's feel was something else. I would have liked to see my man Jeff Porcaro play Sing, Sing, Sing. Check out Jeff's floor tom slammin' on Gypsy Train.
Doubt this is from 1960 as GK had a heart attack in fall 1959..think it's from, like '57..believe that is Jim Gannon on bass, the only musician to play in the groups of Krupa, Buddy Rich and Elvin Jones and think it's Eddie Shu on clarinet. Late 50's had many TV specials featuring jazz musicians and this, I think was one of 'em. think
The song says it all, a good drummer can do well with just a good kick, snare, one rack tom, floor tom, high hat and one good crash cymbal that can double as a ride and crash when needed. If a swing drummer can't make his drums "Sing Sing Sing" like that, he or she needs to study Gene Krupa more more more. It's not about the tings & the pings and the splashes & the crashes. It's THE DRUMS THAT MOVE THE FEET.
Gene Krupa was the MASTER. Just look at today's drummers they have an artic lorry to carry their drum kit. They beat, crash and thump just to make a noise. Gene Krupa showed how it was done in 1938 when he played with Benny Goodman at Carnegie Hall. ua-cam.com/video/3KSKN9J6r74/v-deo.html
Very well said.
"Best" is a subjective term, but Krupa was way ahead of his time and all these years later, still sounds incredible. Young drummers could learn a lot from him. He's just a joy to watch.
Goodness gracious, I am so glad to live in an age where I can go online and see something like this! Thanks for sharing!
What a positive attitude! Usually you see people in the comments of these types of videos complaining they were born in the wrong era. But hey, it's amazing that we have such easy access to videos/music like this.
Gene Krupa was simply the Best Ever and he played Drums in a Tuxedo or a Suit. I used to struggle in short sleeves. Long may we play Krupa's great music.
The greatest drummer ever end of. Rich was loud and technical but Gene had warmth and precision. No comparison in my book.
Such a great musician. Not only is he keeping the rhythm going, but he’s not upstaging his clarinet player’s time in the spotlight.
Krupa was a joy to watch and to listen to. Such a fantastic sense of rhythm. It’s interesting to note how flimsy the snare stands were in those days, compared to what we have now. You can see the snare drum swaying back and forth just from sympathetic vibration on the riser.
It doesn't matter what day and age it is. all musicians have that same "i cant contain myself from the music" feeling in their body.
I never saw a drummer who could keep a beat like Krupa could. The guy was so freaking steady you could set you watch by his rhythm. Now matter the tempo either, that left foot was like a metronome. Of course, Krupa had plenty of dazzle, too. He was a first class showman
LOL....I meant the right foot!
Love Gene Rupa he’s the best !
Look at him smile, I always thought Buddy was creep. Gene always came off like a genuinely nice person. A lion never has to say he's a lion
There are a few other drummers that some people will say could play "faster" than Mr. Krupa, but NOBODY had his talent for holding the overall rhythm of any piece of music....NOBODY!!
What makes Gene the greatest for me is how he could set driving grooves with simplicity and flamboyance! The recording of this song with Benny Goodman is the hottest drum orientated song of all time!!!
Krupa is pure Rock’n’Roll, the Hendrix of drums.
Lots of comments on here saying all you need is four drums and a couple of cymbals. Not true. Gene Krupa is using a lot more things than than. Taste, showmanship, musicality, sense of swing, talent....
SAHBfan also a cowbell, a woodblock and a splash.
I love his stick technique at about 1:26, but even better is the rolling thunder groove he establishes with one drum and a kick, as several others have commented, it ain't about how many drums are in the kit.
Gene is incredible. When you look at his face when he plays he looks like a mad man
That left hand technique is fascinating. He switches from straight to cross grip and back again.
Eddie Wasserman was my jr high school music teacher.
What an honor.
And I didn't realize at the time.
Christopher Columbus 1979 ! He actually liked Punk Rock.
ua-cam.com/video/tTT_AttE7x0/v-deo.htmlsi=He6WxUaxQWfVKQve
Mr Wasserman playing flute at the Playboy Mansion
Mr Wasserman playing flute at the Playboy Mansion. ua-cam.com/video/tTT_AttE7x0/v-deo.htmlsi=He6WxUaxQWfVKQve
(Enter this info in to the search bar)
Gene Krupa Quartet 12/4/1960 Playboy's Penthouse - Eddie Wasserman.
@@michaelsynovetz6093 Awesome. Thanks!
Gene, like so many greats only needed a 4 piece kit to show his talent.
Why are the big kits these days necessary. Can’t they make a 4 piece sound good.
Fully agreed. I play a 4 piece SONOR SAFARI and a 5 piece GRETSCH CATALINA BIRCH. Hi-hat and ride is all I need.
Popeyes
I think it’s harder to make a 4 piece kit sound exciting, than the big kits, where you can hit anywhere and hit a drum.
ISAI DRUMM3R
That’s what made the Jazz/ swing drummers so great.
Thayer had to do a lot, with what they had.
@@roybeckerman9253 well, drumming really does not work like that. I am a drummer and I find it easier to play a small kit. If anything, many toms and cymbals are distracting.
Most of the best drummers today have 4-6 piece kits. In rock, metal and heavy big kits are part of the show.
He was great !
my favourite piece is the album with Krupa plays with Eddie Shu,Buddy Scott at piano,live on carnegie Hall in 1954
I love this!
This song and Buddy’s Hawaiin War Chant, is what drumming is all about.
Bought some LA Dodger autographs from the 1960's on eBay...on the backside of one of the autographs was a Gene Krupa autograph...WINNING....
Wow ❤
A lot of the younger drummers today, idolise their rock or heavy metal drummers.
Many haven’t even heard of the greats of drumming’s Golden Era.
I’m not sure who they consider the best today, but from what I’ve seen, none come close to the big band/jazz greats, like Buddy, Gene, Louie, Sonny Payne ext.
Still, I suppose each generation has their own views...no matter how wrong they are 😃
True, most drumming today in music sound nowhere near as good as that era.
Krupa radiates star power without stepping all over the other players.
🙋💯❤️
DRUMMERS LIKE MYSELF ALSO , ARE A RARE BREED AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE MANY DIFFERENT FACES OF GENE KRUPA WHO'S JUST REALLY GETTING INTO WHAT HES' PLAYING !!
FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!
Właśnie wyszukałam nazwisko Genego Krupy w google, bo wyczytałam je w "Lśnieniu" Kinga xD
Świetnie jest odkrywać takie wspaniałe postacie!
Непревзойдённое чувство ритма! Очень крутой чувак
The King Of Feel . 🥁
Krupa the best that ever lived
My fave!
Gene and Buddy Rich...really put drummers on the map , for others to follow..
It has been written many times that Pearl Bailey said to husband Louis Bellson that if you put all the great drummers on the one stage, all eyes would turn to Mr Krupa. Watching this, one can understand that statement. Gene lives every beat he plays. Does anyone know what TV show this came from?.
TERRY LITTLE Sullivan.
Our traditional jazz/swing band was playing a party, arranged by the Chicago Tribune, for Gene Siskel and his family in Baroda Michigan in 1985. Pearl Bailey was there (Louis Bellson was not). Since I heard that she said that, I asked her if she actually made that comment to Louis or was it just an urban myth. She informed us that she indeed had made that statement not only to Louis but, over the years, to several other top drummers as well. Incidentally, I knew Gene and, even after almost 45 years, still miss him!
I've always regretted not trying to contact Gene when he lived in Yonkers, NY....was he as nice a person as what I've read ? You're so lucky to have known him ! Thanks !
Yes, Bruce, he was as nice a person as you have read. He was never "full of himself" and was always willing to help young drummers. He always admonished young drummers to not attempt to determine who is the fastest or the "best", but just view all great drummers as merely different "flavors". Over the years I have repeated this advice to many drummers, just as Gene would have. :)
P.S. It's a pity that Gene, and other musicians of that era , couldn't have had more of their performances recorded. Heck, using today's smart phones everyone records everything! :)
Joseph Badger Hi Joe, thanks for getting back to me ! Imagine how incredible it would be if there was a film of the entire 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert ? Or when BG was on the road during 1935-38 ? Brooks Tegler, who is a real GK devotee, an excellent drummer, who has a band that does the entire 1938 concert, is in the process of writing a book on Gene !
So freaking cool man
What a masterpiece!!!
Inigualable muy bueno maestro
A drummer making drums sing!
There was a version on UA-cam with newsreel footage of the event and various stills, seems to have disappeared. Also some pages of the program - $2.50 tickets - which must have been worth something in 1938. Would not buy a cup of coffee these days. Don't think Harry James played his solo just like this on later recordings, Benny Goodman ever hit that last note again? Then Jess Stacy's solo. On the photos there are people sitting on the stage next to the orchestra - how lucky can one get?
I believe this is "Ford Star Time: The Swingin' Years" telecast 9 Feb 1960
he always looks like he is having the time of his life.
When l met Gene, l said gosh, you don't look anything like Sal Mineo. He thought that was funny, thank goodness.
Musical drummer...not like many today who have alot of chops..but not musical..what does it all mean ?
Gotta love Gene!
Looking at the timeline, Hoping it could last longer
SIMPLY excellent !!!
Who rides/drive their large floor tom like this anymore...Only the Kings of Swing.
Don't forget about tribal drums
I don’t know what it is but there’s something in the way he plays makes me prefer Gene to Buddy. Buddy obviously technically superior in the same way I prefer John Bonham to Ginger Baker.
It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.
Awesomeeeeeeeee
GENIUS
ドラムスの哲学者ジーン・クルーパ。ビッグオーケストラでもこのようなカルテットでも
他の楽器と会話しながらのドラムス、さすが。クラッシクでのドラムスも研究していたらしい。
この動画は晩年に近いものだと思いますが、早く叩くのがドラムスではないことがよくわかる。
このような少人数で日本にもよく演奏旅行されたらしい。日本を愛したビッグミュージシャン。
Krupa led -all others followed
And when l met Benny Goodman, @ 1966, l said gee Mr. Goodman, you don't look much like Steve Allen. He laughed.bI told this to Steve and he broke up.
the best drummers i have ever played with used kik, snare, hat, one rack tom and one floor tom. Splash , crash and ride cymbal. Maybe a few extra things for some recordings but most good drummers can do it all with that.
Actually, a good drummer can do well with just a good high hat and one good crash cymbal that can double as a ride and crash when needed. If a swing drummer can't make his drums "Sing Sing Sing" like that, he or she needs to study Gene Krupa more more more. It's not about the tings & the pings and the slashes & the crashes. It's THE DRUMS THAT MOVE THE FEET.
check out how big his floor tom is
Gene stayed loyal to Slingerland throughout this career.
No brand hopping , like so many others.
george nolte
You would like to know what deals DW has with some drummers today.
The grandfather of Drum solos
You mean "The Godfather of Drum Solos".
Great Rearrangement from big band to just rhythm section and licorice stick.
フルバンは全員によるハーモニーだ!このドラマーはコンボバンドで飽きるぐらいエゴを発揮するべきだと思います。
1:47...perfect transition to floor tom.
,,,,, Play Play Play ,,,,,, Gene !!!!
Unique on History.
Buenisimos...
I’ve never seen this clip before ...wow,!
Notice the well worn heads.
A lot of today’s drummers change them for each gig.
Obviously not necessary, if Gene didn’t need to.
When Buddy Rich had no more endorsements from 1983-87, he didn’t change his heads as often either.
Is it a marketing thing today. .
Do you think those were animal skin heads, calf, or something else? They had such beautiful tone.
drumsport
I don’t know, but plastic heads were already in by then. I’m not sure what Gene preferred.
As far as tone goes, a lot of that was to do with his Slingerland drums and Gene’s great playing.
No one ever played with his great feeling.
I was just looking at the discoloration, which doesn't look like normal wear from beating on them. Yeah, Gene's feel was something else. I would have liked to see my man Jeff Porcaro play Sing, Sing, Sing. Check out Jeff's floor tom slammin' on Gypsy Train.
Pig skin...Couldn't be "Beaten" being beating...
Calf skins. Superior sound and feel.
Nobody plays those tom tom like Gene!
Carl Palmer sent me here...
I hope DW can replicate this sound, now they’ve bought Slingerland.
Great performance BUT what's with the clarinetist ... a bit way too many off key squeaks in the higher register..
Bonham was the krupa of rock or Krupa was the Bonham of swing...both masters who hit harder than anyone else and had rabbit foot speed on the kicks
Una versión austera, pero genial.
I like the primal sound sometimes - this piece seems to warrant it.
Hypnotic. 🙋
The thing about Gene Krupa was that I thought he was a little more subtler and he's playing than Buddy Rich
Doubt this is from 1960 as GK had a heart attack in fall 1959..think it's from, like '57..believe that is Jim Gannon on bass, the only musician to play in the groups of Krupa, Buddy Rich and Elvin Jones and think it's Eddie Shu on clarinet. Late 50's had many TV specials featuring jazz musicians and this, I think was one of 'em.
think
Geoff Nelson it’s 1960 & it’s Eddie Wasserman, not Shu.
Using calfskins. ?
John Bonham's ghost sent me here.
Buddy who? Gene was the best
The best? Hmm personally I think Joe Morello deserves the title. But anyway, no doubt Gene opened the path to other drummers...
What can one say. Gene and Buddy. Incomparable! !. In my opinion Buddy had the edge.
God.
Krupa was a true musician on drums, compared to Buddy, who made noise...
He makes that kit sing sing sing
c'est vraiment de 1960 ?
What a load of crap