James Carter, 61, drummer with Motown, local bands Sep 30, 2009
He developed his skills playing with local bands, his initial interest in percussion sparked after seeing the 1959 film The Gene Krupa Story, which chronicled the legendary jazz drummer s life. Earning money from various after-school jobs, Mr. Carter saved up to buy a used drum set and taught himself to play, mastering the craft. (Boston Globe)
New on DVD: 'Coraline,' 'Watchmen' Jul 24, 2009
Instantly mentionable in the same breath with , Billie Holiday and , the band singer for Gene Krupa, Woody Herman and Stan Kenton (and later, outstanding solo artist) was the one white jazz vocalist unequivocally included in that pantheon. Up to her death in 2006 at the age of 87, she was still involved in this no-apologies portrait. (USA Today -- Life)
Benny Goodman's music still swings May 27, 2009
A slew of great musicians came through the bands he drilled and polished until they played with gleaming precision, among them such Swing Era giants as drummer Gene Krupa, trumpeters Bunny Berigan and Harry James, pianist Jess Stacy, singer Peggy Lee, and the modernist tenor men Stan Getz and Zoot Sims. Once he found his style, Goodman stuck with it, but kept his ears open to younger players. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Deaths in the news: Charlie Kennedy Apr 14, 2009
- Charlie Kennedy, a saxophonist who was a frequent featured soloist in the big bands of Gene Krupa and Louis Prima in the 1940s, died April 3 of pulmonary disease in Ventura, his daughter, Lorraine Sutton, told the Los Angeles Times ... - Charlie Kennedy, a saxophonist who was a frequent featured soloist in the big bands of Gene Krupa and Louis Prima in the 1940s, died April 3 of pulmonary disease in Ventura, his daughter, Lorraine Sutton, told the Los Angeles Times. (Athens Banner-Herald)
DAVID EARL HOLT, (9) Mar 22, 2009
A gifted trombonist, composer and musical arranger, he played with many bands and orchestras including, Tommy Dorsey, Tex Beneke and Gene Krupa. He held Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Music from Brigham Young University as well as a Masters degree in Librarianship from Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. (Green Valley News & Sun, AZ)
Exploring what makes the timekeepers tick Feb 24, 2009
" If Moon felt underappreciated, he's probably not alone. Relegated to the back of the stage, obscured by kits of things to bash, brush and beat, percussion aces don't always get the spotlight they deserve. That the drummer is the hockey goalkeeper of the music world vital but often overshadowed by more noticeable teammates is the comparison often made. But, there are exceptions. There are eminent whackers who, by dint of oversize personalities or sublime ability, earn spotlights. These are the... (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
San Diego Jazz Party to get plenty of mileage from ex-Basie drummer Feb 19, 2009
Like a lot of other young wannabe drummers, Miles flipped over the showy Gene Krupa. "I couldn't get enough of Krupa at first, but became mesmerized by Buddy Rich later when I finally figured out what he was doing. The guy was phenomenal.". (North County Times)
Master jazz drummer Louis Bellson dies at 84 Feb 18, 2009
Bellson was still in his teens when he pioneered the double bass drum set-up, and two years later he went on to win the Slingerland National Gene Krupa drumming contest. Click for related content. (MSNBC -- Music)
Drum legend Louie Bellson dies at 84 Feb 17, 2009
Bellson's talent budded at the young age of 15, when he pioneered the double bass drum set-up, and two years later he went on to win the national Slingerland National Gene Krupa drumming contest. There are tentative plans for a Los Angeles-area memorial service, followed by a funeral and burial in his boyhood home of Moline, Illinois, according to his Web site. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
Big band, jazz drummer Louie Bellson dies at age 84 Feb 17, 2009
By age 15, he was studying in Chicago with Roy Knapp, who had taught Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich, the other two great drummers of the era. Bellson's father taught him mandolin, guitar, piano, trumpet, trombone and saxophone to learn theory, harmony and rhythm. (Honolulu Advertiser)
