Back in the ’50s, Jazz At The Philharmonic presented a “drum battle” featuring Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. To my knowledge, it was the first time they had appeared together. It was an exciting event, and it generated great interest in the drumming community. The format was one of challenges. One drummer would play time, while the other played a short solo. The other drummer would then answer with his own solo. Each solo escalated the tension with a “take that” sort of attitude. At the end they played together, building to a big climax. Both Gene and Buddy acquitted themselves well, and the audience loved it. The performances were recorded and have recently been rereleased on Verve records. They are interesting historically, as well as musically. In the ’60s, Buddy Rich and Max Roach recorded an album called Rich Vs. Roach. Each drummer was featured with his own small […]

September 1985 Issue