born Jan. 15, 1909, Chicago, Ill., U.S.
died Oct. 16, 1973, Yonkers, N.Y.
U.S. bandleader and the first great drum soloist in jazz .
Krupa had worked with Eddie Condon (1905–73) in Chicago before moving to New York City in 1929 and joining Roy Eldridge and singer Anita O'Day (b. 1919). Krupa's energetic playing became the model for many drummers of the {{link=swing">swing era.