Jazz Artist of the Week
Bix Beiderbecke

      Bix Beiderbecke was an incredibly influential trumpet player who is a contemporary of Louis Armstrong. During a time of strict segregation, black and white musicians were listening to each other being influenced by each others recordings. There is even a great story about Bix and Louis meeting a someone's apartment in the middle of the night just to get together and jam. (Something that they were not allowed to do in public at the jazz clubs in the 1920's) Beiderbecke is known especially for his swinging style on slower tunes such as "Singin' the Blues" and "I'm Coming Virginia." Although Louis Armstrong is perhaps the most important innovator of early jazz, he is definitely not the only one! Bix has solidified his place as one of the very best early jazz musicians. 
      Bix Beiderbecke was born in Davenport, Iowa and taught himself to play by ear. He played some of the most popular white ensembles of the day including the Frankie "Tram" Trumbauer Orchestra" and the Paul Whiteman Orchestra. He recorded his most influential recordings in 1927 and died in 1931 at the age of 28 of complications related to alcoholism. His music is thought to have informed some of the "cool jazz" music of the late 50's and early 60's.