Volume 16 in the Classics Gene Krupa chronology documents his recording
activity between March 1952 and September 1953. Although Krupa had
struggled for years to keep his big band together, he had to throw in
the towel in 1951. By the spring of the following year, he was leading
his first small-group recording date for producer Norman Granz. Having
spent years at the helm of a big band that expended a lot of energy
accompanying jazz and pop vocalists, Krupa seems to have relished the
intimacy and immediacy of these exciting instrumental blowing sessions
with pianist Teddy Napoleon and tenor saxophonist Charlie Ventura. The
opening track, "St. Louis Blues" runs for seven-and-a-half steamy
minutes, and Ventura uses his baritone for a deliciously deep-toned
interpretation of Hoagy Carmichael's "Star Dust." The big horn was also
in evidence on a friendly laid-back rendition of "My Blue Heaven" and
reflections of a "Moon on the Ruined Castle" recorded in Tokyo for the
Victor label one month later when the trio was visiting Japan as part of
an all-star entourage financed and presided over by Norman Granz. As
Victor was not his company, Granz allowed the taping to occur but
prevented the recordings from being released. Back in New York two weeks
later, Granz and Krupa began making records using slightly larger
ensembles. The six- and seven-piece bands that are heard on the last six
titles of this compilation had powerful front liners in Ben Webster,
Charlie Shavers, Bill Harris and Willie Smith; the rhythm sections were
stoked with Teddy Wilson, Israel Crosby, Ray Brown, Steve Jordan and
Herb Ellis. This outstanding compilation chronicles a sunny and
artistically rewarding chapter in the life of Gene Krupa. arwulf arwulf
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