Warsaw Concerto - from the Edgewater Beach Hotel Chicago

[Swing Band Heaven]

Came across this acetate in my collection which features the Russ Morgan Orchestra playing the Warsaw Concerto live from the Beachwalk of the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. The disk isn't dated but as it is a glass based acetate I guess this dates it to post 1942.

This version of this piece takes many liberties with the tune and particulalry the pace of the piece - but is quite pleasant to listen to.

Warsaw Concerto - Russ Morgan at the Edgewater Beach Hotel - Chicago

Here is an excellent website featuring pictures and memories of this now demolished hotel right on the edge of Lake Michigan.

Edgewater Beach Hotel - information

[FloridaClay]

Very nice. Always loved the Warsaw Concerto and this is a nice danceable interpretation.

Clay

[beaumonde]

It's Chicago, of course!

I have a friend who lives in the Edgewater Beach Apartments, pictured as the far-right building in your second postcard. At the time of the demolition of the Hotel (late '50s I think), Lake Shore Drive was extended northward to Hollywood Ave (5700 N.) from Foster Ave (5200 N.).

[Swing Band Heaven]

Yes, with the extension of the road the beach was filled in and the hotel lost one of its biggest assets..Downward spiral from there according to the website I looked at with delolition in the 1980's...one of the hottest night spots in its day...such a shame it was demolished as the photos both internal and external show it to be an amazing building.

Love the idea of an outside dance floor on the beachwalk so that diners could dance under the stars with the sound of the waves from the lake crashing on the beach in the background - magical!

Ooops....Chicago spelling corrected!

[beaumonde]

Oh, nice recording, by the way, although I'm not usually a fan of Russ Morgan.

[Swing Band Heaven]

Thanks Adam, the same for me - not usually a band I collect - hence this is why this disk sat unplayed in my collection for a very long time. I was surprised to find I quite liked it when it finally made it to the turntable! Although the Edgewater Hotel connection does make this recording more interesting and that lead out music at the end is the bit I like most - and kept me playing it over and over again.

S-B-H