MG C-121: The Gene Krupa Trio Collates

	Label Type :	black/silver Mercury type A trumpeter
	Matrix Number :	SIDE-A	YMG C514A 3    C121A-3
		SIDE-B	YMG C514B 2    C121-B

Comments

As the matrix info suggests, it is highly probable that this album was firstly assigned as MG C-514, then renumbered to MG C-121. I'm not sure whether MG C-514 was actually released or not (anyone?)

Inside The Groove

Gene Krupa's nice trio session with Charlie Ventura, supervised by Norman Granz.

Personal Impression (and brief notes)

Gene Krupa, without any doubts, was one of the earliest drum heroes. He recorded so many classic tunes with such musicians as Benny Goodman and Lionel Hampton. He also formed his own big band in 1938 and it was an instant success.

In the Postwar era, he soon formed the trio, featuring Charlie Ventura and Teddy Napoleon. The trio played so many times at the Jazz At The Philharmonic concerts (which can be heard on MG C-500 (soon renumbered as MG C-600). The JATP dates also introduced the drum battles with Buddy Rich.

Although this is not a live recording from the JATP concerts, this studio session also presents the artistry of these three musicians. Especially, the spontaneous improvisations between Krupa and Ventura is nice.

Strictly Personal Rating (to what extent I could enjoy this album)

8 out of 10

Track Listing

Personnel

Personnel/recorded date/master numbers confirmed with the Ruppli's discography.
(“The Mercury Labels - A Discography” by Ruppli and Novitsky, Greenwood Press, 1993)

Charlie Ventura (ts, bs), Teddy Napoleon (p), Gene Krupa (ds).
Recorded in New York City on March 19, 1952.

Jackets

Front	Back

Labels

Side A	Side B