bix beiderbecke

Leon Bismark "Bix" Beiderbecke

(March 10, 1903 – August 6, 1931)

Self-taught jazz pioneer whose unique style was precursor to the 'cool jazz' movement. He was a legend in his own time for his improvization and beautiful tone on the cornet as well as for his heavy drinking. Bix was playing the piano at the age of three and took up the cornet ten years later. He was expelled from the exclusive Lake Forest Academy for breaking curfew to catch jazz shows in Chicago. Beiderbecke joined the Wolverine Orchestra late in 1923, and the seven-man group first played a speakeasy called the Stockton Club. A year later he left them to join Jean Goldkette's Orchestra; but his inability to read music made that a short affair. After a short stint at the University of Iowa, Bix followed Frankie Trumbauer to St. Louis and then Detroit, reconnecting with Goldkette as part of his "Famous Fourteen". When that group dissolved most of them joined Paul Whiteman's Orchestra, a very popular outfit that mixed jazz and classical. He also recorded with Trumbauer and guitarist, Eddie Lang, under the name of Tram, Bix, and Eddie. The relentless touring schedule exacerbated Bix's alcoholism and on November 30, 1928 he suffered a breakdown. Spending time in and out of rehabilitation as his health gradually declined, Bix continued to play and drink with equal fervor. On Thursday, August 6, 1931, Beiderbecke died in his apartment, #1G, 43-30 46th Street, in Sunnyside, Queens, at the age of twenty eight during an alcoholic seizure. The official cause of death was lobar pneumonia and edema of the brain.




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The slow-tempo jazz classic 'Singing The Blues' by The Frankie "Tram" Trumbauer Orchestra. It starts with a sax solo by Trumbauer. Then comes Bix's cornet solo. Finally, a short clarinet solo by Jimmy Dorsey. The guitarist on this track is Eddie Lang.

'I'm Coming, Virginia' with the Trumbauer Orchestra. Frank Trumbauer, Bix Beiderbecke, Don Murray, Bill Rank, Doc Ryker, Irving Riskin, Eddie Lang, and Chauncey Morehouse.

'In A Mist' is one of a handful of his piano compositions but the only one he recorded.

'Oh Baby' with the Wolverine Orchestra with Bix Biederbecke, Al Gandee, Bob Gillette, Vic Moore, George Johnson, Dick Vonyow and Jimmy Hartwell

Jean Goldkette & His Orchestra doing 'I'd Rather Be The Girl In Your Arms (Than The Girl In Your Dreams)' with Bix Beiderbecke, Fuzzy Farrar, Ray Lodwig, Bill Rank, Speigle Willcox, Don Murray, Doc Ryker, Frank Trumbauer, Joe Venuti, Paul Mertz, Howdy Quicksell, Eddie Lang, Steve Brown, Chauncey Morehouse, Bill Challis, Frank Bessinger, Frank Magine, Joe Griffith, Frank Marvin.

'Jazz Me Blues' by Bix Beiderbecke & The Wolverines.

'Georgia (On My Mind)' with Bix Beiderbecke, Ray Lodwig, Jack Teagarden, Boyce Cullen, Jimmy Dorsey, Bud Freeman, Pee Wee Russell, Irving Brodsky, Joe Venuti, Eddie Lang, Min Leibrook, Chauncey Morehouse, and Hoagy Carmichael on September 15, 1930.