The Brush Drum Solo
Gene Krupa
Krupa in 1939’s Some Like It Hot
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Gene Krupa had been leading his first big band for a year when in 1939, he received fourth billing in the Bob Hope film Some Like It Hot (no relation to the 1950s movie of the same name).
The climax of the little-known film occurred when Krupa played a drum solo with his brushes.
This clip shows that performance, with Sam Donahue having a brief spot on tenor and Krupa both soloing and driving his orchestra, inspiring a crowd to gather and dance joyfully.
– Scott Yanow
