[Dixielandjazz] Eldridge and Krupa

[C.D. Six]

Krupa signed Eldridge to play with the band beginning
in 1941 as featured soloist and a member of the small
group within the band. Shortly after joining he took
over the first chair in the band. 

A Good Compilation from this era is Columbia's Roy
Eldridge with the Gene Krupa Orchestra featuring Anita
O'Day. It includes "Let Me Off Uptown," and the
interplay between O'Day and Eldridge made more than a
few people uncomfortable... Incidently, later tracks
on that recording include Johnny Desmond, who would
later find fame with Glenn Miller during the war.

On at least one occasion, Krupa came to blows with
restaurant owners who would not admit Eldridge. The
one I know of specifically was at the Valencia
Ballroom in York, Pa (which was still open as of the
late 90s).

I'm not sure of my dates completely, but I believe
Eldridge was with the band until Krupa had to break it
up after being arrested on a questionable marijuana
charge.

Krupa and Eldridge continued to play together until
Krupa's death in 1973. Both O'day and Eldridge were in
"The Gene Krupa Story," and Roy was present for the
Krupa and Rich session in 1955 (and the famous JATP
Krupa/Rich drum battle). He also worked with O'Day on
her Cole Porter album with Billy May. The Eldridge
entry on Allmusic.com can give you a more complete
bio/discography, along with sound clips. Like a good
number of jazz musicians, I'd say color didn't matter
for Krupa, what mattered is if you could play. While
there are exceptions, it seems the people most
concerned about color and jazz are the historians.
Unfortunate for them, they miss out on a lot of great
music!

Chris

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