Saginaw Bay Symphony music director composes work in homage to jazz drummer Gene Krupa

“The Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra will present the world premiere of ‘KRUPA’ by its musical director, Fouad Fakhouri” on January 29, writes Amy J. Parent in Wednesday’s (1/26) Morning Sun (MI). “KRUPA pays homage to the legendary big band drummer Gene Krupa, known for his energy and flare on such swing classics as the Benny Goodman band’s ‘Sing, Sing, Sing.’ … Krupa is often considered to be the first drum ‘soloist’ of jazz, widely known for introducing extended drum solos and using his instrument to interact with other musicians rather than simply ‘keeping time.’ … The concert also features concertmaster … Eliot Heaton in the Violin Concerto by 20th century Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian. The evening will conclude with César Franck’s Symphony in D minor.” In a January 23 Facebook post, Fakhouri wrote, “As a young boy, when I first heard a recording of Krupa performing on ‘Sing Sing Sing’ I was mesmerized by the energy, the savage drive, and the raw power behind his rhythmic patterns. ‘Krupa’ is an homage to the style of the late drummer…. It will be LOUD.’ ”