What’s covered in this session:July 11 ·. In this podcast, Daniel shares how this concert still impacts us today, and why modern drummers can learn so much from listening to the recording. The resulting concert – widely considered one of the most significant events in American music history – helped to usher jazz and swing music into the American cultural mainstream.

You can hear Gene Krupa’s drumming clearly, allowing for a fuller understanding of why he was considered the first superstar of the drums, and why he appealed so much to the “every man.” Listening to this concert will introduce you to many of the biggest stars of the swing era, featured together in the all-star jam session. From the intense crowd response, you can begin to understand the power of the Swing era, and how it paved the way for the modern rock concert experience. It was recorded with a single mic, but the incredible acoustics of Carnegie Hall allowed for better fidelity than most of the studio recordings of the day. Included members of Duke Ellington and Count Basie’s bands. Featured Goodman’s mixed race band (featuring Lionel Hampton).

Krupa was no slouch as a drummer! Krupa’s playing displays an incredible diversity, and showed a deep understanding of styles and dynamics. Not much timekeeping on the Hi Hat, or what would become known as a ride cymbal. Lots of work on the snare drum – press rolls etc. Krupa’s technique, which is based on the early jazz style on which he was raised, and includes: The high fidelity nature of the recording, which allows you to hear everything he’s doing crystal clear.

Photos from the famous Carnegie Hall concert over the audio of “Don’t Be That Way” (the opening song). Catherine Tackley’s excellent book about the Benny Goodman Carnegie Hall concert, and the resulting recording. A link to Daniel’s podcast episode detailing Gene Krupa and His continuing influence here in the 21st Century.

Notice the vocalists sitting in chairs on the right side of stage, as well as drummer Ray Bauduc perched at his “small group” drum set down front. Photo of the Bob Crosby Orchestra at the height of the Swing era.

Benny Goodman At Carnegie Hall