~GENE KRUPA ~ THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL DRUMMER IN THE WORLD ~

~To say that Gene Krupa was a great Drummer is a bit like saying Picasso could paint, kind of obvious & dogmatic, unnecessary, really.

 For, Gene was much more than just a great Drummer, he was an innovator that could transcend his brilliance through the power of his playing like nobody else  could. Gene dedicated his life to drumming & it could be said that he won a new freedom for drummers to be able to express themselves.

 When I first began taking lessons to play the drums my tutor spoke to me about Gene Krupa & his Chicago style of playing. My Tutor, Mr Vickers, implored me to listen to Gene`s music & emphasized the importance of Jazz style playing within a modern setting. But I closed my ears to all that & religiously watched videos of Keith Moon & John Bonham playing the drums because I thought it more important to me as a kid.

 Today as a trained musician I understand the importance of what my Tutor was telling me back then. Thankfully, on some level, I did hear because I now understand what Mr Vickers was saying all along; That to be a brilliant Drummer, to be really out there, I needed to understand Gene Krupa.

  Many Drummers have come since Genes time. Drummers that are technically brilliant. Players that can do things that have not been achieved before. People that inspire others. But, what is important to bare in mind is that before there was anyone there was Gene Krupa ~

 I understand now ~