![]() The LaRocca influence is evident in a number of Beiderbecke's recordings (especially the covers of O.D.J.B. His first big influence was Nick LaRocca of the Original Dixieland Jass Band (O.D.J.B), the white band credited with making the first jazz recording ever, in 1917. He is buried in a family plot in Oakdale Cemetery in Davenport, Iowa.īeiderbecke's early influences were mostly New Orleans jazz cornetists. While the official cause of his death is listed as "lobar pneumonia" and "brain edema," Beiderbecke apparently died of an alcoholic seizure during delerium tremens. It was there that Bix Beiderbecke died alone on August 6, 1931, at the age of 28. In late July or early August of 1931, he took up residence in Sunnyside, Queens, New York City. Bix was greatly hurt and disappointed that his parents, whom he had always wanted to please, had never heard him play the music he loved so much.ĭepressed and disheartened, Bix left Davenport for the last time, and while he would play intermittently over the next two years (whenever he was well enough to travel), neither he nor his playing were ever the same. When he was sent back to his Davenport, Iowa, home by Paul Whiteman in 1929, to recover from a breakdown, however, he found the recordings stored in a closet they had never even been unwrapped. In spite of this, for most of his short adult life, he sent them copies of his recordings, hoping they would listen and be won over with his playing and fame. In addition, Bix's parents did not approve of his playing music for a living. Bix suffered from severe pain in his legs and other ill effects of prohibition era alcohol and, with declining work around the New York City area, he took a turn for the worse. Whiteman deserves credit for not only recognizing and using Bix’s talent, but also for remaining supportive of him to the end.īeiderbecke had suffered health problems from an early age, and the relentless schedule of the road and heavy drinking leading to alcoholism contributed to and exacerbated the decline of his health. Whiteman’s interest in neo-classic and impressionist music also resonated with Bix’s own musical tastes. Along with “Tram,” guitarist Eddie Lang, violinist Joe Venuti, pianist Frank Signorelli, and a few other outstanding soloists hired by Whiteman, Bix made some excellent recordings with the band. Bix was the star of the Whiteman band-a position he obviously enjoyed, even though Whiteman, dubbed the “King of Jazz,” mostly played sophisticated dance music. Bix and Trumbauer, a 'C' Melody saxophone player, briefly joined Adrian Rollini's band at the Club New Yorker, New York, before moving on to the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, the most popular and highest paid band of the day. Bix was then able to briefly re-join the Jean Goldkette Orchestra before it disbanded in September 1927. Trumbauer would remain a life-long friend and a somewhat stabilizing influence. ![]() In 1926, he joined the band of saxophonist Frankie "Tram" Trumbauer, with whom he made many of his most innovative and influential recordings. Still, he was unable to keep his first engagement with Jean Goldkette’s professional dance orchestra due to his poor sight-reading skills. ![]() Bix began going into Chicago as often as possible to catch the hot jazz bands of the day at the clubs and speakeasies around Chicago, and too often did not return in time or was found out the next day.īeiderbecke was soon asked to leave the Academy due to his academic failings and extracurricular activities in Chicago, and he began his musical career in earnest.īeiderbecke first recorded with his band, the Wolverine Orchestra (usually called just The Wolverines, named for "Wolverine Blues" by Jelly Roll Morton because they played it so often), in 1924, then became a sought-after musician in Chicago and New York City. ![]() The change of scenery did not improve Beiderbecke's academic record, as the only subjects he showed avid interest in were music and sports. He attended Davenport High School briefly, but his parents felt that sending him to the exclusive Lake Forest Academy, just north of Chicago, would provide the attention and discipline needed to improve his schooling. Partially because of his frequent absences due to illness, Beiderbecke's grades suffered. As a teenager he would sneak off to the banks of the Mississippi to listen to the bands play on the riverboats that would come up from the south. Beiderbecke was born in Davenport, Iowa, to a middle-class family of German origin. ![]()
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