Over the years, when taking Jazz At The Philharmonics on tour in the US and Europe, Norman Granz developed a format consisting of a number of key elements. First he employed a core group of musicians from which he would choose per concert or tour. Participating were a.o. singers Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Holiday and Helen Humes, saxophonists Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker, Lester Young and Benny Carter, The Oscar Peterson Trio, pianist Hank Jones, trumpeter Roy Eldridge and drummers Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. Second, the format included standard sets with blues, a ballad medley, swing and modern, the latter being basically bebop at the time. Also an element of competitiveness was brought in by saxbattles and the grand finale joined by all musicians. A special item were the roaring drum battles between Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. In the YT video a registration of a great Krupa vs. Rich battle in the Sammy Davis Junior TV show.
Source: Hershorn, Ted – Norman Granz – The Man Who Used Jazz for Justice – Univerity of California Press 2011 – ISBN 978-0-520-26782-4
0 Responses to “Norman Granz introduces drum battles between Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich.”