Danny Polo

Danny Polo (b. Toluca, Illinois, December 22, 1901 – d. Chicago, Illinois, July 11, 1949) – Clarinetist and saxophonist. As a baby, Polo moved to Clinton, Indiana, and as a youngster played in the local Majestic Band, an Italian marching group. After starting his career in Terre Haute, he moved on to Chicago and formed his own band in 1936. Hailed by Benny Goodman as the “world’s greatest clarinet player,” Polo played with many greats, including Jack Teagarden, Bing Crosby, and Coleman Hawkins. After playing in the English Ambrose band, Polo was recruited by his old Terre Haute friend Claude Thornhill in the early 1940s. In fact, he was one the leading soloists in Thornhill’s famous band.