The 'flue

Let Me Off Uptown - Gene Krupa & his Orchestra
A survey of impressive my 8-Trak collection (that really should have more Anne Murray) continues.

Who is bringing the thunder? Gene Krupa, that's who. Krupa was an influential jazz and big band drummer known for his highly energetic and flamboyant style. The youngest of nine children, Krupa's father as a Polish immigrant and his mother from Northumberlan County, Pennsylvania. Krupa hit the CHicago music scene in 1927 when he was picked by MCA to become a member of "Thelma Terry and Her Playboys" (good name? No, great name) the house band at the Golden Pumpkin nightclub. By 1934 Krupa was playing for Benny Goodman where his featured drum work, especially on the hit "Sing, Sing, Sing" had made him a national celebrity. But Goodman wasn't abut to share the limelight with Krupa, so Gene formed his own band with singer Anita O'Day and trumpeter Roy Eldridge.

In 1943 Krupa was arrest for possession of marijuana and received a 3 month jail sentence. Krupa urned through most of his money defending himself and settled into a funk until Benny Goodman invited Krupa to perform. THis picked Krupa up and soon enough the old band was together again. As time went on the big bands of old where dismantled. By the 1960s Krupa was performing with a trio or sometimes showing upo to play clubs. Krupa retired in the late 1960s and opened a music school. Interesting Fact (it's been a while since we had one of these): One of Krupa's students was Kiss drummer Peter Criss.

Listen to a sample at the iTunes Store

I had that dream again the other night. The one where I ask for suggestions for Songs of the Day and suddenly my PM mail box is overflowing with quality, well-thought-out responses. Its like 6 or 7 months before I make my way through all of them. I am so very happy. The sky seems bluer, our children better behaved. Heck, my hair even starts growing back. And then I wake up and our clock radio is in pieces all over the bedroom floor.