Here is the most famous jazz drummer of them all, Gene Krupa (1909-1973), in a superb double CD retrospective of his phenomenal career.

The name Gene Krupa is synonymous with a driving drum style and dynamic showmanship, qualities that made the Chicago‑born drummer one of the musical giants of the Swing Era. Behind his flamboyant public image was a serious and self‑disciplined musician who created some of the great jazz of the period.

'Drummin’ Man' presents on two CDs the essence of Gene Krupa, including all his most famous recordings, topped and tailed by the 1939 and 1956 versions of the title track. The survey starts with his very first recording session in 1927 with the Chicagoans and his rise to fame with Benny Goodman – including all 12 minutes 13 seconds of the unbelievable Sing, Sing, Sing from Goodman's 1938 Carnegie Hall concert. 73 years on, this still has a devastating impact!

There are no fewer than 26 tracks covering the finest of the great bands he led from 1938 to 1942 and (after the hiatus of his drugs bust) from 1945 to 1947. Among many highlights are his legendary 1941 hit Let Me Off Uptown, which features two of the band’s biggest attractions, vocalist Anita O’Day (one of seven numbers with this great artist) and trumpeter-singer Roy Eldridge.

The excitement doesn’t end there – the survey also features nine of the best of Krupa’s work during the 50s.

Contents:
CD 1
1. Drummin’ Man
2. China Boy
3. Dinah
4. Who?
5. Blues Of Israel
6. Swing Is Here
7. Tiger Rag
8. Sing, Sing, Sing
9. I Know That You Know
10. Wire Brush Stomp
11. Rhythm Jam
12. Apurksody
13. Symphony In Riffs
14. Blue Rhythm Fantasy
15. Tuxedo Junction
16. No Name Jive
17. It All Comes Back To Me Now
18. Full Dress Hop
19. Drum Boogie
20. Georgia On My Mind
21. Just A Little Bit South Of North Carolina
22. Let Me Off Uptown

CD 2
1. Bolero At The Savoy
2. Rockin’ Chair
3. That Drummer’s Band
4. Leave Us Leap
5. Dark Eyes
6. Opus One
7. Boogie Blues
8. Lover
9. How High The Moon
10. Disc Jockey Jump
11. Starburst
12. Calling Doctor Gillespie
13. Up An’ Atom
14. Bonaparte’s Retreat
15. The Drum Battle
16. Coronation Hop
17. Paradise
18. Overtime
19. Airmail Special
20. Gene’s Blues
21. Mulligan Stew
22. Drummin’ Man