Chick Webb and Buddy Rich

William Henry “Chick” Webb was born on February 10, 1909 in Baltimore Maryland. Webb was very frail do to an accident that took place early in his life. He was dropped on his back and smashed several vertebrae from the fall. Since he was dropped he could never grow to full size and developed Tuberculosis. The Tuberculosis caused Webb to have stiff joints and suffer pain throughout life (Korall11). For relief doctors and his family suggested drumming as a possible remedy. Playing drums would help to build up his body and take his mind off of his disability. Webb was more than willing to pick up the drums and began to first bang on pots, pans and oil drums. He purchased his first drum set only after se

Duke Ellington helped Webb to have his first experience as a band leader. The group started off small, only as a quintet and as time went on the group grew larger and eventually became a 13 piece band. At fist Webb did not have an interest in being a band leader but he became very passionate about the group in time and formed great ideals for the band. Webb gave all the musicians in the band the credit they deserved. He never put down others playing or other drummers. The respect he had for other musicians reflected his creativity and open mind about music.

Krupa knew that the black drummers of the time were the ones paving the way for jazz drumming. The black drummers of the time had a better understanding of the jazz and blues music they grew up with. Gene respected and admired the black drummers and knew there love for the music. He would study and learn by listening to the artists he admired. Soon he was recommended to jam with several musicians after hours at the Three Deuces club in Chicago. There were several after-hour sessions. People like Bix Beiderbecke, Jean Goldkette, Teschmaker and Benny Goodman performed at some of the sessions. Not to long after those sessions Krupa was hired to play with a band started by Leo Shukin. Shukin was told about Krupa from Teschmaker who was at some of the sessions Krupa played at.

By the 1930’s the band played the Cotton Club, Strand Roof, Casino De Paris and Roseland. The group also recorded with Louis Armstrong and started to make records themselves. A ballroom in Harlem called the Savoy Ballroom was the center of the bands attention. The Savoy did not bring immediate success to the band. At first the audience was not large at all but the band still played every show to the best of there ability. These shows were very impressive and got them into band battles with Fletcher Henderson, King Oliver and Fess Williams. Witnesses say Chick Webb’s orchestra won every time (Korall14). Word spread of the band and soon the Savoy became a hot spot in Harlem. Within time Webb wanted to diversify and give the group a distinctive sound. At first he bought and traded arrangements from other bands but it was hard because of his salary. But soon enough he hired his own arrangers which gave his band the distinct sound he wanted. Now that there was a distinct sound he had more freedom to play the drums however he felt they should be played.

Unlike Chick, it was hard for Gene to find someone to play with in his own town. Since his neighborhood was bad, most of the guys were causing trouble and were not interested in playing music. Usually he would find a girl to play piano and occasionally a guy who was into music. In high school Gene joined the American Musicians Association union because there were not enough kids playing music where he looked. Members of the AMA got the less paying and less desirable jobs. Krupa had to balance school during the weekdays with playing. He showed a natural talent for the drums and just music in general. Soon his friends convinced Krupa to join the American Federation of Musicians. The Fed would give Gene more opportunities for work and would give him more chances to play with better players (Korall47).

lling newspapers. His drum kit used special custom-pedals so he could reach them because of his short stature.

Among the pallbearers at Chick Webb’s funeral was Gene Krupa. Krupa paid tribute to Webb at a show in Baltimore. The band played taps for Web and Gene said “it isn’t fair. Chick scuffled for years to get the breaks. And just when he hit his prime he had to go.”(Korall39) His death brought the end of his life but his playing lived on in the drummers of the B

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