“Let Me Off Uptown”—Gene Krupa & Anita O’Day

Soundies, were originally played on a Panoram -- a wooden jukebox that played music while the synchronised film was projected onto its glass screen. For those people not able to attend a live performance, this was the first time they could see what the big bands actually looked like. Nowadays, YouTube offers us all the chance to watch Soundies. Such as this one from 1942: Gene Krupa and his Orchestra with "Let Me Off Uptown" featuring Anita O'Day and Roy Eldridge.

"Let Me Off Uptown" was composed by alto saxophonist Earl Bostic (1913-1965), with lyrics by Redd Evans (1912-1972). This song was first recorded by Gene Krupa in August 1941 and it became a big hit.

Drummer Gene Krupa (1909-1973) was a Chicagoan, and he had been the showman of the Benny Goodman Orchestra from 1934 to 1938. After a row with Goodman, Krupa left the orchestra to realize his dream of forming his own big band.

Krupa's vocalist, Anita O'Day (1919-2006) also came from the Windy City.

Born as Anita Belle Colton she started her career as a marathon dancer. After this helped her to survive the depression, Anita became the first white band singer who really sang with a jazzy sound. Though her handling of a song was not always appreciated or understood outside jazz circles.

In April 1941, Roy Eldridge joined the orchestra as the only black musician in the band, a combination which was almost non-existent at that time.

When a New York restaurant operator in late 1941 refused to allow Roy admittance because of the color of his skin, Krupa's arms swung for the operator instead of the drums.

However, in this Soundie Krupa's arms works the percussion to a swinging perfection. Enjoy both this song and this Sunday!