Historically, Eddie Condon remains one of the most influential figures in jazz
as it was played in Chicago from the mid-20s onwards. After starting out on the
ukulele and banjo, he forged an excellent reputation as a guitarist in the late
'20s, during which time he played with Bix Beiderbecke, Jack Teagarden, Red
McKenzie, Red Nichols and, of course, Sidney Bechet, Louis Armstrong and Fats
Waller. He took part in the first recorded jazz sessions and played in several
swing bands in the early '30s, before settling down for a while with Joe
Marsala. Both were among the elite of the...