THE MASTER OF DRUMS Gene Krupa and the Music He Gave the World

Samantha Desz dials down the vocal drama to provide a pitch-perfect documentary-style narration of this inspiring biography of the 20th-century pop music giant. With her comforting voice adding warmth and her interpretations never faltering, her easy-listening performance allows the author's writing and Krupa's captivating story to remain prominent throughout. The groundbreaking pop drummer elevated the range and importance of the drum kit and influenced many important pop and jazz drummers. His innovations and continuous efforts to grow as an artist are as impressive as the list of musicians who loved him. Krupa's personal life and the arc of his music career--1922 to 1967--blended nicely with the fascinating changes occurring in musical styles, along with the media and venue opportunities available for musicians. T.W. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2025]