Ed Polcer

Most of the musicians on this enjoyable CD did not actually play much with Eddie Condon (bassist Bob Haggart excepted), but the music is very much in the Condon Chicago jazz tradition, and cornetist Ed Polcer led the house band at the last Condon's club. With a front line also including trombonist Bob Havens, clarinetist Allan Vaché, and baritonist John Barnes along with the fine swing pianist Johnny Varro and the fiery drummer Butch Miles, the octet romps through a dozen songs (most of them Dixieland-oriented) during this 1993 concert for the German Nagel-Heyer label. Highlights include "California Here I Come," "Fidgety Feet," "Wherever There's Love," and "Hindustan." ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi