Gene Krupa Reference Page
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| Gene Krupa
What's New(s) |
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| What's New & What's News in the life and career of Gene Krupa | |
| What's New(s) Archives:[What's New(s) 1999-2000][What's New(s) 1997-1998] |
Updated 6/23/04 |
| 6/04 | |
| Classics Volume 15 | |
Volume 15 of the complete recordings of Gene Krupa and his Orchestra presented in chronological order [CLASSICS #1359 (1949-1951)] is scheduled for release on July 20, 2004.
This volume opens with his last session for Columbia and continues through the RCA sides of the early fifties.
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| 4/04 | |
| JazzLegends.com Updated | |
| Bruce Klauber would like to invite everyone to log on to his website at JazzLegends.com.
The site has recently been totally revamped with prices lowered, plenty of new product and "new discoveries." Says Bruce, "In the coming weeks, those who visit will actually be able to read on-line articles (updated monthly) about Gene, about our new stuff, drums, drumming, etc."
JazzLegends.com presents the world 's greatest jazz and drumming legends on the Web via their singular collection of videos, CDs, limited edition private recordings and books. Check them out!
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| Verve to release Krupa CD | |
Verve Records is tentatively scheduled to release the 1958 "Gene Krupa Plays Gerry Mulligan Arrangements" on CD June 8, 2004.
Hopefully with this release, recorded October and November 1958, Verve will finally continue a steady issuance of the remaining unreleased Krupa Material.
Excluding titles that include Buddy Rich, this release will be only the second domestic Verve Gene Krupa CD issue -- after 1987's Drummer Man.
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| 03/04 | |
| The Gene Krupa Story to be Released on DVD | |
The Widescreen Presentation of The "Gene Krupa Story" will be released by Columbia Tristar on DVD May 18, 2004.
Although horribly inaccurate, the movie has always been a fan favorite due to the superb soundtrack, with Krupa on drums,
and the fine acting performance by a young Sal Mineo stick-syncing credibility to the role.
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| March 2004 Update | |
| Check out our recently posted March 2004 Update
which includes updated Matrix information in the Sessionography and LPs pages and more.
For complete information browse on over to our History page!
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| 10/03 | |
| In Memoriam | |
We remember Gene Krupa [1/15/09-10/16/73] on the thirtieth anniversary of his death.
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| 9/03 | |
| New Rare Krupa CD from JazzLegends | |
The latest new and rare Krupa CD from Bruce Klauber is "Gene Krupa: In Transition, 1949-1952"
presenting over an hour of rare Krupa music from one of the most crucial periods in his musical history. Though the big band era was over, Gene kept his going until 1951.
On this CD, we have what were among Gene's final big band sessions from 1949 and 1950, and the first session of the "reconstituted" Gene Krupa Jazz Trio with Charlie Ventura and Teddy Napoleon from 1952.
Some, but not all of these tracks were originally issued on the long, out-of-print LPs "Swingin' With Krupa" (RCA/Camden) and "The Gene Krupa Trio Collates" (Clef/10").
Bonus tracks are an ultra-rare Tonight Show appearance by Gene from 1962, where Gene plays a big band arrangement of his small-group feature "Caravan," is interviewed by the one and only Johnny Carson and has a drum battle with Carson.
A must have. Price is $20 with free shipping worldwide.
This product will not be posted on Bruce's web site for some time but you can order it from JazzLegends.com by ordering any other CD and in the messages section, just type in "Gene Krupa: In Transition." They'll know what you want.
Or just send cash, check or money order (shipping is free worldwide) to: |
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| 5/03 | |
| JazzLegends releases new Krupa CD & Video | |
New from Bruce Klauber on CD: "Gene Krupa In Concert: 1971"
Material that has never been listed in any Krupa discography, this is a live concert recorded at The Forman School in Litchfield, CT on May 29, 1971. It was recently discovered that about a dozen stereo LPs were privately pressed of this fabulous outing,
and the actual producer of the concert found one and has given Bruce permission to issue it on CD. Here's Gene with the cream of New England-based "traditionally-oriented" musicians, playing songs like "China Boy," "Honeysuckle Rose," "Lester Leaps In," "At The Jazz Band Ball" and more. Price: $20.
Also from Bruce on Video is "Raw Footage By Request #2: 1937-1966". More unbelievable, long-unseen clips of Gene. Two Mike Douglas Programs with the Jazz Quartet from 1965 and 1966 (one includes a Krupa-Douglas-Vic Damone drum lesson), the very rare "Melody In F" segment with great drum solo from "Glamour Girl" (1948), "Big Noise From Winnetka" with Bob Haggart from one of the late 1950s "Timex All Star Jazz Shows," two numbers from "The Big Broadcast of 1937" featuring Gene with the Benny Goodman Orchestra, and "Boogie Blues," "Lover" and "Leave Us Leap" from the 1947 Krupa band. Please note that the footage is unedited (hence the title "Raw") and the Douglas shows have a time code at the bottom of the screen. 41 minutes running time, price: $30.
These products will not be posted on Bruce's web site (JazzLegends.com) for some time. To order them now, send cash, check or money order (shipping is free worldwide) to: |
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| 3/03 | |
| JazzLegends releases three "new" Gene Krupa CDs | |
Bruce Klauber and JazzLegends.com are proud to announce the release of three "new" Gene Krupa CDs:
The Benny Goodman Quartet at Saratoga: August 18, 1973. Said to be Gene's last performance, this surprisingly above-average audience recording is nonetheless a hot and hard-swinging document of the Original BG Quartet at its best.
Despite Gene's illness, he never sounded better. $20, The Gene Krupa Jazz Quartet: Staten Island: March 20, 1972. A certifiable and previously undocumented find has Gene's working group--Eddie Shu,
Knobby Totah and Marty Napoleon--romping through Caravan, Undecided, Sing Sing Sing, Drum Boogie and more. Decidedly on the low-fi side from an audience recording, this is well worth having if only because Gene is absolutely astounding! $20 And
Gene Krupa: Drummin' Man, a two-CD set. Columbia Records issued these two LPs in 1963--now long, long out-of-print--and they remain the finest overview of Gene's big band from 1938 to 1949.
The 32 tracks on two CDs feature all of Gene's hits and all of his stars--Ventura, O'Day, Eldridge, Frank Rosolino, Teddy Napoleon, Irene Daye, et. al. This transfer is exceptional,
in that it came from a limited edition CD release that was only issued in Canada very briefly some years ago. The two-CD set is $35.
To order any of the above CDs direct from Bruce Klauber send payment in cash, check or money order only to:
Bruce Klauber |
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| 11/02 | |
| "Gene Krupa: Swing, Swing, Swing" now on DVD! | |
The critically acclaimed and best-selling video from Hudson Music and producers Bruce Klauber and Joy Adams,
Gene Krupa: Swing, Swing, Swing, is now available on DVD. This stellar program features 14 complete and rare performances of that legendary drummin' man,
spanning 60 years, and featuring giants such as Benny Goodman, Anita O'Day, Lionel Hampton, Charlie Ventura and many others.
The new DVD version is highlighted by one-of-a-kind bonus features: Sal Mineo and Gene drumming up a storm on the I've Got A Secret television show from 1958,
an unbelievably rare glimpse of a Benny Goodman Quartet reunion filmed in 1967, and a marvelous photo gallery of the legend himself, Gene Krupa. For ordering information and
dealer inquiries, log on to www.HudsonMusic.com
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| 9/02 | |
| Jazz Great Lionel Hampton dead at 94 | |
Lionel Hampton, an American jazz icon who pioneered the vibraphone as a jazz instrument and whose musical career spanned seven decades beginning in the late 1920s,
died Saturday (August 31) at the age of 94. Hampton, who played with many of the leading lights of jazz from Louis Armstrong to Benny Goodman to Charlie Parker,
had been battling a mix of health problems in recent years, said his manager, Phil Leshin. He died of heart failure at 6:15 a.m. Saturday at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York.
Hampton was one of the first musicians to bridge the racial gap between blacks and whites in jazz. He joined drummer Gene Krupa and pianist Teddy Wilson to form the multiracial Benny Goodman quartet in the 1930s. Hampton played a prominent part in Goodman's big band, working on several recordings and tours until 1940, when Hampton organized his own orchestra. From that time through the 1950s, Hampton enjoyed immense success. In 1997, a fire in his Lincoln Center apartment destroyed 50 years of his musical arrangements and his entire wardrobe two days before he was to appear at the White House to receive the National Medal of Arts for his lifetime of accomplishments. Hampton was also active in many charities; a music school and festival at the University of Idaho are named for him. Hampton also established a community development corporation which, with government support, built low- and middle-income housing in New York and Newark. One of his projects in Harlem is named for his wife, Gladys, who died in 1971. They had been married 35 years. |
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| 8/02 | |
| Krupa Orchestra Performance Schedule Fall 2002 | |
| We've just received the fall performance schedule of the Gene Krupa II Orchestra.
The orchestra is under the direction of drummer Roy Anderson and sax and clarinet player Dale DeMarco.
Many of Gene's arrangements from the original Gene Krupa and his Orchestra band are featured, along with other big band arrangements from that era.
Also joining the Orchestra will be Carmen Leggio. Carmen was a member of the Gene Krupa Quartet from 1957 to 1965 and he also played with Maynard Ferguson's band,
Woody Herman, Thad Jones, Benny Goodman and in 1956 was a member of the Buddy Rich Quintet. Try and catch a performance, I'm sure you wont be disappointed.
September 6, 2002, Italian Center Fest, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. |
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| Memoriam: Jack Zimmerman | |
| It is with great sadness that we report the passing of trombonist Jack Zimmerman on August 10, 2002.
Jack was a member of the Krupa Orchestra during the late forties. We at The Gene Krupa Reference Page extend our sincere condolences to the Zimmerman family.
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| 7/02 | |
| Bruce Klauber Update: Summer 2002 | |
| The Hudson Music titles:
"Classic Drum Solos and "Drum Battles," and
"Classic Jazz Drummers: Swing and Beyond" are already out on DVD --
Now joining the list of "going to DVD titles" is Bruce Klauber's "Gene Krupa: Swing, Swing, Swing," complete with never-before-seen bonus clips!
(How about a 1958 clip of Gene and Sal Mineo on "I've Got a Secret?") Also soon-to-be-released is Hudson's follow-up to "Classic Solos and Battles."
Volume Two features more than a dozen rare clips--including film of Gene and Buddy, Sonny Payne, Jo Jones, Louie Bellson, Rufus Jones, Sam Woodyard and many more.
For information on these titles, log on to HudsonMusic.com
Warner Brothers Publications, now handling Bruce Klauber's "Buddy Rich: Jazz Legend Volumes One and Two" and other DCI Music Video titles, has announced that the Buddy volumes will soon be released on DVD with bonus tracks. For info and release dates, log on to WarnerBrosPublications.com Last but not least, Bruce Klauber is proud to announce the release of a "new" Gene Krupa CD for Tahoe Productions. "The Gene Krupa Discoveries: 1942-1967" includes 15 of the rarest Krupa radio and TV airshots. For more information on this must-have CD including ordering info, click here. |
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| 6/02 | |
| Temporary Site Outage | |
| Last month we experienced a site outage here at the GKRP as the result of an attempted host transfer.
Our previous host (GeoSomebody or other) erroneously pulled the plug on us a few weeks too early.
For approximately three weeks our site was inaccessible and our e-mail inoperative (if you sent an e-mail during that time and never received a reply, now you know why)
Nevertheless we are operational again and now happily hosted through our new company DreamHost (highly recommended).
The silver lining to the story is that we now have the option to incorporate many new features to the site that were unavailable with our previous host - Watch for them soon.
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| New CDs Contain Unreleased Material | |
Two new Gene Krupa CDs are now available - both of which contain previously unreleased material. Boogie, Ballads And Be-Bop - Best Of The Columbia Years, 1945-1949
contains 25 Columbia Krupa classics. These late-'40s gems include one of the biggest hits of Gene's career, his 1945 #7 smash "Along the Navajo Trail" plus three unreleased tracks ("To Be Or Not To Be-Bop", "Limehouse Blues", "Change Your Mind")
and two alternate takes ("There Is No Breeze (To Cool The Flame Of Love)" and "Lover").Johnny Desmond - The Complete Early Sides. One of the great overlooked singers of the '40s and '50s, Johnny Desmond got his start fronting Gene Krupa's band in the early '40s. This 18-track compilation includes his complete work with Krupa along with an unreleased track ("West Of The Weather") and an unreleased alternate take ("The Marines' Hymn") -- plus the two solo sides he cut with the Dell Trio for Columbia in 1947. Liner notes by Joe Laredo accompany a long-overdue release from a legend. |
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| 3/02 | |
| March 2002 Update | |
| The new March 2002 update includes our addition of new banner ads at the top of the category pages,
completely redesigned, updated and enhanced Gene Krupa BANDS section, FILMS page and more!.
For complete information go to our History page!
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| New Classics Gene Krupa 1945-1946 | |
The latest installment in France's continuing Classics Chronogical series, Gene Krupa #1231 [1945-1946] is now available.
This disc features all released Columbia sides through the end of 1946 including both versions of "Dear Old Southland."
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| 12/01 | |
| December 2001 Update | |
| Check out our recently posted December 2001 Update
which includes the redesigned Videos page and more.
For complete information browse on over to our History page!
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| New Rare "Private Edition" VHS from Bruce Klauber | |
Now from Bruce Klauber comes yet another rare new "Private Edition" video,
1937's "Hollywood Hotel".
For the first time on video anywhere Bruce has made available the rarely seen complete and un-edited 101-minute film, starring Dick Powell, Rosemary Lane,
and in their first of many screen appearances, Benny Goodman's Orchestra featuring Gene Krupa.
click here for more info.
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| Jazz Pioneer Norman Granz, 83, Dies in Geneva | |
| Jazz promoter, producer and manager Norman Granz died on Thursday, November 23 in Geneva. He was 83.
Granz, who recorded most of the major names in jazz including Krupa, Louie Armstrong, Count Basie and Billie Holiday, died Thursday of complications from cancer.
At the height of his career, Granz was one of the most powerful non-musicians in jazz. He is credited with presenting the music as an art form by bringing performers out of small clubs and into larger concert halls and theaters.
Born on Aug. 6, 1918, Granz grew up in the Los Angeles area in a family of Ukrainian-Jewish ancestry. During World War Two, he served in the Army Air Corps and later in a special branch charged with entertaining the troops.
In 1944 while working as a film editor at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studios he borrowed $300 and began presenting "Jazz at the Philharmonic",
concerts in large venues that helped to end segregation across the United States. Ten years later, Jazz at the Philharmonic, Inc.
had a turnover of $4 million and the release of the first Jazz at the Philharmonic records bolstered Granz's national reputation. Granz is survived by his wife Greta.
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| 10/01 | |
| More Rare "Private Edition" CDs from Bruce Klauber | |
Bruce Klauber has recently made available two new "Private Edition CDs":
"Gene Krupa: The Great 1960's Quartets" and "Krupa/Dorsey/Goodman: The Lost Sides - 1944, 1946 & 1951".
Both of these CDs are chock-full of rare and unreleased material every Krupa fan will want to own. click here for more info.
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| New Video & DVD From Hudson Music | |
Rob Wallis of Hudson Music informs us of their latest video,
Classic Jazz Drummers: Swing and Beyond.
This exciting follow-up to Hudson Music's Classic Drum Solos and Drum Battles (which has recently been released on DVD!) features over 20 of the legendary giants and unsung greats of jazz percussion in solos,
in "battle" and in the jazz groups they helped make famous. Spanning over five decades of music - covering the eras of Dixieland, Swing, Bop, Big Band and Hard Bop
- in rarely seen film clips from live concerts, feature films and television shows. Also as a bonus track: The only existing film of that influential New Orleans' pioneer, the one and only Warren "Baby" Dodds.
Check out Hudson Music for complete details or click here to order directly from this site.
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| 7/01 | |
| July 2001 Update | |
| We've just posted the July 2001 update
that features a great new look to the GKRP, an expanded CD page,
a new Gene Krupa Quiz and more!
Go to our Site History for complete information!
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| 6/01 | |
| Gene Krupa Jazz Association-Detroit/Chicago Chapter | |
| Joe Migliaccio, administrator of the new Detroit/Chicago chapter of the Gene Krupa Jazz Association, has posted a new website devoted to Gene.
The Gene Krupa International Jazz Association still exists today (see 1/01 below) and was originally formed in July 1956 by Gene Krupa, Pete McGrath, and current president Roy Anderson.
Mr. Anderson has graciously granted Joe permission to reactivate the Detroit/Chicago chapter. Joe's purpose is to pay tribute to Gene through a common forum, discuss drum-related topics and even endeavor to raise money and present funds to a worthy "up and coming" high school level musician(s) -- not necessarily a drummer. There is no fee to join the Detroit/Chicago Chapter of the Gene Krupa Jazz Association which also includes a quarterly newsletter, titled "The Beat." For free membership and newsletter send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Joe at 2414 Medford: Trenton, MI 48183 or visit his website for complete information. |
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| 4/01 | |
| New CD Available By The Legendary Whitey Mitchell | |
| Bassist Gordon "Whitey" Mitchell is fondly remembered by Gene Krupa fans by way of his tenure with one of Gene's legendary groups.
Whitey played with The Gene Krupa Jazz Quartet in 1955 along with Eddie Shu and Bobby Scott, and is featured on one of the most sought-after collector's items out there:
The October, 1955, Jazz At The Philharmonic concert highlighted by The Quartet's swinging renditions of "How High the Moon," "Sleepy Lagoon" and an unbelievable "Sing, Sing, Sing."
Whitey himself just heard these tracks for the first time since recording them and could only remark, "Gene played his ass off! I forgot how great he really was!"
After leaving Gene, Whitey played with dozens of jazz legends, including Charlie Ventura, Pete Rugolo, Jay and Kai, Johnny Richards, Herbie Mann, and many more.
He retired from music for a number of years and became a successful Hollywood screenwriter, but the good news is that Whitey Mitchell is back and swinging harder and playing better than he ever has.
He has just released a new CD, entitled "Whitey Mitchell: Just In Time," where he leads a marvelous jazz quartet that features pianist Ron Kalina, saxophonist Brian Mitchell, guitarist Dave Koonse, and drummer Paul Kreibich.
The 11 compositions--eight standards and three great originals--represent joyous, free-swinging jazz of the absolute highest quality.
"Whitey Mitchell: Just In Time" is a must for Krupa fans, jazz lovers and for all those who just happen to like great music. The price is $15 plus $2 postage, and CDs can be ordered directly from Whitey Mitchell Music, 52 Laken Lane, Palm Desert, CA 92211.
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| 3/01 | |
| March 2001 Update | |
| We've just posted the March 2001 update which includes Gene's completed Sessionography,
go to our Site History for complete information!
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| 2/01 | |
| Anita O'Day at the Fez Club | |
We've recently received word that Miss Anita O'Day will be performing a double bill at the famed New York FEZ Club
(380 Lafayette Street at Great Jones, New York, NY 10003) with Chris Connor.
Performances are scheduled for Saturday, March 31 at 8:00pm & Sunday, April 1 at 5:00pm. Tickets are $50.00 ea. and reservations are suggested.
For questions or reservations, contact the FEZ at (212) 533-2680 or e-mail them at info@feznyc.com.
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| 1/01 | |
| Krupa Proper 4-CD Box Set Available From Metolius Music Company | |
Metolius Music Company (formerly Joyce Record Club),
the company which produces the Gene Krupa Discography,
(which by the way is now in it's April 2000 update edition!),
now has available the Krupa Proper 99-track 4-CD Box Set - "The Gene Krupa Story" for only $34.95 + $2.00 shipping.
Click here to order.
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| Join the Gene Krupa International Jazz Association | |
| Roy Anderson, the leader of the recently formed Gene Krupa Orchestra,
invites Krupa and Jazz fans to join the Gene Krupa International Jazz Association.
The association, which has been in operation since 1956, periodically sends out newsletters with the latest Krupa information and news.
There is no fee to join provided you live in the USA, otherwise the cost is just a self addressed stamped envelope.
To be placed on his mailing list write to Roy at; Gene Krupa International Jazz Association 18 West Main Street Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 |
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| Follow-up Video from Bruce Klauber | |
| Coming early this spring from Bruce Klauber and The Hudsonmusic.com team is the follow-up to the best selling
"Classic Drum Solos and Drum Battles," entitled "Classic Jazz Drummers: Swing Era and Beyond."
This one-hour program focuses on the legendary greats and unsung giants playing with the groups they helped make famous and covers four decades of astounding drumming.
Featured performers include Gene Krupa and his Orchestra from 1940 ("Jungle Drums"), Sid Catlett with Louis Armstrong,
Ray Bauduc with Jack Teagarden, Joe Harris with Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Rich and his Orchestra from 1948, Panama Francis with Cab Calloway,
Gus Johnson with Count Basie, Lionel Hampton and his Orchestra, Stan Levey with Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse All-Stars,
Kenny Clarke with his own trio and with the J.J. Johnson All-Stars, Sonny Payne and Harold Jones with Count Basie and Frankie Dunlop with Thelonious Monk.
As always, there are some unbelievable extended solos, this time from Joe Morello, Louie Bellson, Philly Joe Jones,
Papa Jo Jones, and a swinging drum battle from 1956 with Louie Bellson, Lionel Hampton and Don Lamond!
Bonus track is the only known existing footage of the legendary Baby Dodds, shot around 1946. These clips have never been issued on any DCI,
Hudson Music or Bruce Klauber video. For more information, bios of all the drummers, details on the clips and release date, log on to the Hudsonmusic.com web site.
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