Musical Careers of the Members of the Benny Goodman Orchestra
...tremely cheap with an egotistical personality. A number of sidemen, friends and press distanced themselves from Benny Goodman, perhaps contributing to the constant cycle of musicians that the band went through. Benny Goodman studied classical music for a period of time after the decline of the Big Band Era and became a prominent clarinet soloist. He also participated in a number of classical orchestras, working for conductors such as Bernstein, Tuscanini, and Stravinsky. During the twilight of his life he joined with prominent jazz musicians to record and perform in various locations, even in overseas countries such as Russia in 1962. He made one of his last live performances in 1978 at Carnegie Hall, 40 years after his memorable performance with the Benny Goodman Orchestra. His final recordings were completed in 1986, shortly before his death. Although Benny Goodman experimented in several different genres of music in various formats, he will forever be remembered as the influential leader of The Benny Goodman Orchestra and the “King of Swing.” One of Benny Goodman’s original sidemen in the orchestra was drummer Gene Krupa, one of the most respected drummers during the Big Band Era. Krupa got his start as a drummer during his teenage years when he was an integral member of the southside group known as the Austin High Gang. Other members included Dave Tough, Eddie Condon and Bud Freeman. Dave Tough, an established drummer, greatly inspired Gene Krupa and the two established a strong friendship. Tough brought Krupa along to see King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band and their drummer Baby Dodds. Krupa became enamored with Dodds’ drum playing and quickly established Dodds as his hero. Gene Krupa and Benny Goodman developed a relationship early in their careers during the late 1920’s while each was playing in various Chicago locations. However, the two would not formally record together until the 1930’s. Krupa joined up with the Benson Orchestra and also recorded with Red McKenzie in 1927 when McKenzie featured the Austin High Gang. Gene Krupa and his drumming became a memorable part of these recordings because it was the first time a full drum set was used in recording. Early in the 1920’s, sound engineers were hesitant to use bass drums and tom toms because they feared that they would distort the recording quality. However, Krupa utilized them fully in a fantastic drum performance. Gene Krupa played in several more groups in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s that included the Austin High Gang. The recordings were issued under such names as the Jungle Kings and Chicago Rythym Kings. Despite the varied names, these recordings as a whole helped define the Chicago jazz sound and the artists who participated in these recordings are known simply as the Chicagoans. After many of his early partners decided to move to New York to further their music careers, Gene Krupa remained in Chicago where he joined up with Benny Goodman in 1934 to serve as the drummer in the newly formed Benny Goodman Orchestra. This move was critical in regards to Krupa earning the media attention he deserved. The numerous radio broadcasts that The Benny Goodman Orchestra partook in introduced the rest of the United States to Gene Krupa’s drumming and he became a star. In 1936, the group recorded their hit song, “Sing, Sing, Sing” and Krupa’s drumming in the tune became recognized as the classic drum session during the Swing Era. His presence on stage was magical and he brought his good looks and personality to the big screen for several appearances, including a role in “Some Like It Hot.” Krupa left The Benny Goodman Orchestra in 1938 to create his own band, The Gene Krupa Orchestra. His band was an instant success upon it's opening at the Marine Ballroom on the Steel Pier in Atlantic City during April of 1938. Soon after the creation of the Gene Krupa Orchestra, Krupa authored his own book, The Gene Krupa Drum Method which was published in late 1938. He also created his own drum contest, with legendary drummer Louie Bellson being the inaugural winner in 1941. Gene Krupa was arrested and convicted of marijuana possession charges in 1943. After Gene got out of jail, he played once again with Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey before he chose to re-configure his old band. Unfortunately, Krupa was regularly criticized by the press for being too commercial, rather than concentrating on performing music. Gene's big band during the middle 1940’s was to introduce Bop arrangements with the help of Gerry Mulligan and the playing of trumpeter Red Rodney. Gene managed to keep the full band together until December of 1950, when most big bands had already fallen apart. He kept a smaller version of the big band together through 1951. Gene Krupa’s late career was active, but marred by health problems. He actively participated in several different shows and groups, including a reuniting tour of the Benny Goodman Quartet in the 1960’s. Krupa was forced to slow up a great deal due to back problems, but still found time to write and perform the score to his feature film, “The Gene Krupa Story” in 1959. Several heart attacks forced Krupa into final retirement in 1973. He passed away a month after his final show, on October 16, 1973. Gene Krupa will always be remembered for his revolution of the drums. He single-handedly turned the drums into a feature instrument in jazz performances. Often considered the most popular trumpet player during The Big Band Era, Harry James was associated with some of the greatest musicians in jazz history. Harry James was born in 1916 to a family of circus performers. His father was a trumpet player in the Mighty Haag Circus Band. Harry learned to play trumpet by the age of eight and was leading the band by age twelve. Then their family moved to Beaumont Texas, and at age fifteen Harry James began playing in local dance bands. While he was performing with Herman Waldman's band, Ben Pollack heard him and had him join. While with Ben Pollack's big band, he made his recording debut in 1935. Benny Goodman was extremely impressed by the young trumpet prodigy, and immediately invited him to play in The Benny Goodman Orchestra. From 1937-39, he played with The Benny Goodman Orchestra and became a star, with his wide range and impressive technique that he even used to play boldly on slower, romantic songs. Harry James played alongside Ziggy Elman while with The Benny Goodman Orchestra, and the two trumpeters were featured frequently, and as a result, their popularity skyrocketed. He formed his own big band, The Harry James Orchestra, in 1939 with Goodman's blessing. Initially the band struggled, but in 1940, James hit it big with an instrumental version of the song “You Made Me Love You.” Fans were impressed with James’ trumpet prowess. He was able to play dolce and dolcissimo and his chromatic glissandos became his trademark. Th...