International Polka Music Hall of Fame® Eddie Zima was born in 1923 in Chicago and began playing the concertina when he was 6 years old. His mother, Eleanor, upon noticing his eagerness and ability to play, signed him up for lessons. The concertina was too big for the boy to carry, so he hauled it to lessons in his little red wagon.
His band was among the first Chicago polka bands to make records and his early recordings familiarized people with Chicago’s style of polka music. His Capitol recordings made a hit in Texas. He was signed by Dana records and made seven albums for them. His biggest Dana hit was "Circus Polka." He also recorded on the RCA, Chicago and Jay Jay labels.
Eddie Zima composed many tunes. He had a great ear for music. Polka dancers loved his tempo and he was a good dancer himself.
Eddie Zima passed on April 28, 1966. He left behind a Chicago Honky style of polka music picked up by many bands.
Track listing:
1. Slap Happy Polka
2. Green Bridge Polka
3. Circus Polka
4. Meet the Missus Polka
5. Going to a Wedding Polka
6. Bow Tie Polka
7. Green Grass Polka
8. Dark Cloud Polka
9. Barrelhouse Polka
10. Rock-A-Bye Polka
11. What’ll it Be Polka
12. Dimples Polka
13. Cynthia Polka
14. Baby Shoes Waltz
15. Hey Joe Polka
16. Why Don’t You Like Me Polka
17. Bride Dance Polka
18. Mack and Katy Oberek
19. Honky Tonk Polka
20. Twelve O’Clock Polka
21. Kuku Oberek
22. Eve Polka
23. Boom Whacka Boom Polka
24. Haystack Polka