Gene Krupa From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Gene Krupa (January 15, 1909 – October 16, 1973) was a famous and influential Polish-American jazz and big band drummer, known for his highly energetic and flamboyant style. Krupa was born in Chicago, Illinois. He began playing professionally in the mid 1920s with bands in Wisconsin. He made his first recordings in 1927, with a band under the leadership of banjoist Eddie Condon and "fixer" (and sometime singer