A letter from an alum about Reunions bands

May 13, 2003

You described a remarkable variety of musical entertainment in your piece on "Going back in orange and black" in the May 14 issue. I have often explained to non-Princetonians that between Thursday and Saturday we might have access to 35 or 40 bands of all varieties. Great listening and dancing. Probably no other college or university can match what we offer.

Perhaps the best band of all was not mentioned in your article.

Ed Polcer '58 and his All Stars will be playing for 1958's 45th reunion. I have been following this band at reunions for more than 20 years. They haven't missed a year to my knowledge. Often he has Tom Artin '60 on trombone and Ron Hockett '69 on clarinet and sax. Ed plays the cornet. They played at our 45th and at my 50th at Exeter. Ed's band is arguably one of the very finest jazz bands in the country. They play especially good Dixieland style but also very danceable music. Ed plays nationwide and overseas and has recorded many CDs and old 33 rpms. I hope alumni will enjoy their concert at Richardson Auditorium on Reunion Friday afternoon, though I realize that this letter is not timely to remind them.

John C. Stone II '53
Greensboro, Vt.

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