This book is for any fan of jazz, music, history and any combination of the three. As a lover of jazz, especially early history of jazz, this book was incredibly enjoyable to me. I have listened to Krupa's music for years now and learning more about him was a great experience,

Elizabeth J. Rosenthal's The Master of Drums is a meticulously researched and engaging biography that chronicles the life and legacy of Gene Krupa, one of the most influential drummers of the 20th century. This book offers an in-depth look at Krupa's journey from a young percussion enthusiast in South Chicago to a pioneering figure in the world of jazz and swing music.

Krupa's contributions to music were groundbreaking. He was among the first to use a bass drum on record, and his innovative drum kit setup became a standard in the industry. His dynamic performances with the Benny Goodman big band and his own ensembles helped elevate the drummer from a background timekeeper to a front-and-center soloist.Rosenthal highlights these technical advancements, noting how Krupa's style influenced generations of drummers across various genres.

Beyond his musical achievements, Krupa's personal life was marked by both triumphs and challenges. Rosenthal delves into his 1943 marijuana arrest, providing context and exploring its impact on his career and public image. The biography also sheds light on Krupa's dedication to mentoring young musicians and his efforts to support fellow band members, painting a portrait of a man deeply committed to his craft and community.

I enjoyed this comprehensive and nuanced portrayal of Krupa. I mostly selected this book due to my Dad who was a eclectic drummer. He always spoke of Krupa calling him one of the top stars of the Swing Era.

The Master of Drums stands as a definitive account of Gene Krupa's life, offering readers a detailed exploration of his musical innovations and personal complexities. Rosenthal's exhaustive research and engaging narrative make this biography a must-read for jazz enthusiasts, drummers, and anyone interested in the evolution of American music.

Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing – Citadel and Tantor Audio for the digital copy of this book and audiobook; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I knew the name Gene Krupa while growing up because my dad was a big swing music fan. When I got older and began compiling my own music collection, Benny Goodman was always a favorite. Gene Krupa most famously played with Goodman for a few years before striking out on his own with his own band.

This is the first real biography of Gene Krupa that I’ve seen, and the author put a lot of research into his life. You don’t have to necessarily be a fan of jazz music because Krupa’s drumming transcended labeling. Indeed, many famous rock ‘n roll drummers credit Krupa for getting them interested in playing the instrument. Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, and John Bonham are just a few of the great rock drummers who credit Krupa for their love of the drums. Surprisingly enough, Krupa did not like rock ‘n roll music, despite the fact that the music was heavily influenced by his style of playing.

I liked this biography because the author did not just focus on Gene Krupa’s professional life. She wove in many stories about his personal life, giving a more well-rounded picture of the man behind the music. I appreciated that. Krupa suffered some serious tragedies in his life, but there were also many moments of joy, too.

I thought the narrator of the audiobook did a great job with the text. I would listen to other books narrated by Samantha Desz.

I’d recommend this biography to fans of jazz or rock ‘n roll music and its history.

My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Citadel for an advance copy of this biography about a true pioneer of percussion, a man who changed the way listeners and performers view the drums, and whose influence carries on even today

I have always been drawn to drumming and percussion in music, and wish if I had it to do again, would have loved to have taken musical lessons. My only foray was a brief attempt at school band, a way for schools to make money fooling kids into paying exorbitant fees of instruments that everyone knows they aren't going to play. Drums though always held my interest. When I went to Grateful Dead shows I was probably the only one enjoying the Drum Space sections. I have read numerous books by drummer, Mickey Hart, Neil Peart and I have noticed a consistency in the names that appear the most. The one that many seem to cite as the most influential was always Gene Krupa. I had heard the name on the Simpsons, but was unaware of his playing, or the shadow he cast on many drummers. Listening first to Benny Goodman records, and than his solos, one could see why people would be impressed, though outside of the movie made about him, I knew little. Which is why I loved this book. The Master of Drums: Gene Krupa and the Music He Gave the World by Elizabeth J. Rosenthal is not only a biography but a look at a percussionist par excellence, who transformed the way we listen, the way music was played, and even the instruments themselves, an influence that continues to the present day.

Gene Krupa was born in 1909, the youngest of nine children in Chicago. The family was doing well, but this was not to last. Gene's brother was murdered by suspects unknown going to the store. After the early death of his father, Gene's mother pulled away leaving the family to be raised by the oldest daughter. Krupa showed kill at an early age for the drums, and while not even a teen was in bands and acquired his musician union card. School was something Gene avoided, but he made a promise to his sister, one year at a Catholic seminary school to get a little education, after that he could chase his dream in music. Gene agreed and soon was on the road, but instead of settling that time in school showed him that there was much to learn about his instrument of choice the drums. Gene took lessons on the side, learning to read music, and about the different styles of drumming, incorporating them in his style. Gene was soon in demand, even with the specter of the Depression, recording sides, and moving his way up. Benny Goodman needed a drummer and soon Gene was playing with one of the hottest swing bands out there, broadcasted on radio, and traveling the country. Gene's playing was a little loud for Goodman, and soon Krupa was fronting his own band, and making his own way.

Elizabeth J. Rosenthal has done a wonderful job of capturing not only the man, but the way that he played, and his influences. The book is a straight ahead biography, filled with highs and quite a few lows. However, Rosenthal looks at Krupa's style, his way of playing, of adapting and learning, and explains this in such a way that even non-drummers and even non-musicians can understand. Rosenthal discusses how Krupa designed cymbals and tom drums that still continue to be used to this day. Rosenthal looks at his influence on many of the big drummers of the day, the different things they borrowed, and how different music would be. There is a lot of research, one can tell, but the writing is quite good, very informative and interesting without sounding like a lecture, more a conversation. One of my favorite books on jazz and drumming.

Fans of percussion and jazz will find a lot to like. As this is the first real biography on Krupa most of this will probably be new to people. A very comprehensive biography that covers quite a lot of information, and does it well. This is the first book I have read by Rosenthal, but I look forward to her next work.

I really enjoyed reading this, it had that element that I was looking for in this type of book. I enjoyed getting to know Gene Krupa from this book and had that biography element that I was looking for. Elizabeth J. Rosenthal was able to tell the story and was invested in what was going on.