Gene Krupa - Drummin' Man (Quadromania, 1938-1949) (4 CD, 2005/FLAC)

This Quadromania box set has the best recordings by Gene Krupa's big band. All of the drummer's hits are here including "Drummin' Man," "Drum Boogie," "Bolero at the Savoy," "Let Me Off Uptown," "Rockin' Chair," "After You've Gone," "Leave Us Leap," "Body and Soul," "Opus #1" and "Disc Jockey Jump." In addition to Krupa, the stars on these often-classic swing sides include trumpeter Roy Eldridge, singer Anita O'Day, altoist Charlie Kennedy and tenorman Charlie Ventura among others. Since this was the definitive Krupa set, it is a pity that Columbia has not reissued all of the music intact on CD yet.  

 

Gene Krupa - Chronogical Classics 1935-1945 (7 CD/FLAC)

 

Gene Krupa, in full Eugene Bertram Krupa, (born January 15, 1909, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.—died October 16, 1973, Yonkers, New York), American jazz drummer who was perhaps the most popular percussionist of the swing era.

After the death of his father, Krupa went to work at age 11 as an errand boy for a music company. He soon earned enough money to purchase a musical instrument and decided upon a drum set because it was the least expensive instrument in a wholesale catalog. In the early 1920s, Krupa learned from and sometimes jammed with many of the great jazz performers who were then in Chicago, receiving his greatest inspiration from New Orleans drummer Baby Dodds. Immersing himself in the study of jazz, Krupa began to play in several Chicago-area jazz groups with musicians such as Frank Teschmacher, Bix Beiderbecke, and his future employer Benny Goodman.

 

Gene Krupa & Harry James - Complete Capitol Recordings of Gene Krupa & Harry James (7 CD, 1999/FLAC)

 

Big bands were on their way out by the late '40s, which left bandleaders and musicians who had played swing in a quandary: embrace bebop or become a nostalgia act. Certain wise musicians like Gene Krupa and Harry James, however, found a middle course by modernizing swing with new arrangements and selling it to ballroom dancers. The Complete Capitol Recordings of Gene Krupa and Harry James collects a multitude of splendid performances from both players as they transitioned from one era to the next.

Benny Goodman - The Complete RCA Victor Small Group Recordings (3 CD, 1997/FLAC)

 The Complete RCA Victor Small Group Recordings is a 1997 compilation 3-CD set of sessions led by jazz clarinetist Benny Goodman, and recorded for the RCA Victor label between 1935 and 1939. 

The music of the Benny Goodman Trio and Quartets (with the clarinetist, pianist Teddy Wilson, drummer Gene Krupa and sometimes vibraphonist Lionel Hampton) has been put out many times through the years, including in other, earlier "complete" sets. This 1997 three-CD reissue not only has all of the regular recordings, but 20 alternate takes, two of which were previously unissued. Many of the performances (such as "After You've Gone," "Moonglow," "Dinah" and "Avalon") are quite famous, considered perfect examples of "chamber jazz," and veteran collectors will certainly enjoy hearing many of the alternates. Singers Helen Ward and Martha Tilton, trumpeter Ziggy Elman (on "Bei Mist Bist Du Schoen") and (after Krupa's departure) drummers Dave Tough and Buddy Schutz, bassist John Kirby and pianist Jess Stacy also make appearances. Classic music with many exciting moments from the King of Swing and his famous sidemen. 

    Benny Goodman – clarinet

    Teddy Wilson, Jess Stacy – piano

    Gene Krupa, Dave Tough, Buddy Schutz – drums

    Lionel Hampton – vibraphone

    John Kirby – bass

    Ziggy Elman – trumpet

    Helen Ward, Martha Tilton – vocals