ANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTS
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The First Cruise Dedicated to the Legacy of Bix Beiderbecke. This inaugural jazz cruise will provide a week long jazz celebration honoring this jazz legend's 100th birthday.
A deposit of $700 per person holds your place. Pricing starting at $899 per person for 7 nights.
Bix 100th Birthday Cruise
[Posted
9/16/02]
The following ad will appear in the October issue of the Mississippi Rag.
Tom Pletcher's Bix Centennial Band. [Posted 01/14/03]
The band will consist of the following musicians.
Tom Pletcher, Cornet, Leader Florida
John Sheridan, Piano,Arranger Texas
Russ Phillips, Trombone Illinois
Jeff Hamilton, Drums Florida
Dave Miller, Guitar/Banjo Michigan
John Otto, Clarinet/Alto Sax Illinois
Frans Sjostrom, Bass Sax Sweden
Report on Bix 100 Cruise [Uploaded December 4, 2003]
The Bix 100 cruise took place on
November 16-23, 2003. The organizers of the cruise, sponsored by
the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Society, were Linda Meadors and Diane Gelaude.
There were about 100 participants. The music was by Tom Pletcher's Bix
Centennial Band:
Tom Pletcher, Cornet, Leader Florida, center, holding
Bix
John Sheridan, Piano, Arranger Texas, first on
left
John Otto, Clarinet/Alto Sax Illinois, first
on right
Russ Phillips, Trombone Illinois, third from right
Frans Sjostrom, Bass Sax Sweden, second from
left
Dave Miller, Guitar/Banjo Michigan, third from
left
Jeff Hamilton, Drums Florida, second from right
The seminar and workshop leaders were Tom Pletcher, Rich
Johnson and Albert Haim. The ship was the Carnival Conquest.
At the outset, I will state that the Bix 100 cruise was a resounding success: the music was superb, the lectures and workshops were quite stimulating and the audience was highly receptive.
The Music. The band played for two hours every day. The selections were mostly from Bix's book: the Wolverines, Goldkette, Trumbauer, Whiteman, Bix and His Gang. Individually and collectively, the musicians were of the highest quality. Although this was the first time they played all together, clearly there was an instant rapport between them. It was obvious to the audience that the musicians respected -and liked- each other, that each listened carefully to what the others were doing, and expressed his appreciation in subtle, albeit recognizable, ways (smiles, turning his head toward the soloist, closing his eyes to concentrate better in what he was hearing, etc.). The audience detected an esprit de corps in the band and realized that the musicians were enjoying themselves by playing Bix's music and discovering each other's high quality musicianship. The audience was quite entusiastic and displayed its strong approval of the music by means of applause, whistling and other loud expressions of joy. As soon as the band was in its first set, a feedback mechanism between band and audience went into operation: the better the band played, the more enthusiastically the audience reacted, and the more the audience displayed its appreciation, the better the band played. It was an experience to be there: about 100 Bix fans enjoying together the fantastic music that Bix left us, recreated and reinterpreted by seven fabulous musicians. If I may inject my personal opinion, I believe the band was at its best in its interpretation of "I'll Be A Friend With Pleasure," in part bccause it is one of my favorite Bix tunes, in part because each musician made extraordinary efforts in bringing out Bix's spirit and genius in his playing.
The Lectures. There were four formal lectures.
1. Bix 101: His Music and His Life. Albert Haim. A general
survey of Bix's life (with visual and audio aids.)
2. Bix, The Beginnings. Rich Johnson. A review of Bix's
ancestors (with visual aids.) Rich presented some of his new discoveries
about Agatha's parents.
3. Bix, The Davenport Years. Rich Johnson. An account
of Bix's life in Davenport up to 1921 and in 1929-1930 (with many photographs.)
4. Copying Bix. Albert Haim. Examples of early (1924)
Bix solos that have been copied note for note by other cornet/trumpet players:
Jazz Me Blues, Copenhagen, Riverboat Shuffle, Tiger Rag.
The audience was quite appreciative of the information
brought up by the lecturers. There was lots of time for comments by members
of the audience and for discussions. Among the active participants were
(in alphabetical order) Harold Gast, Joe Giordano, T.R. Motto, John Otto,
Tom Pletcher, Scott Sizer, and Frans Sjostrom.
The Workshops, Panel Discussions, and Late Night Seminars. These turned out to be quite stimulating because different participants brought up new ideas, different viewpoints, their own observations. Among the topics discussed were "Influences on Bix" (Haim, Johnson and Pletcher), "Bix and the Impressionistic Musicians" (Pletcher), The Bix Society (Johnson), Bix in the Internet (Haim), "If Bix Had Lived (Haim, Johnson and Pletcher). We had ample opportunity to play many of Bix's recordings: discussion leaders, members of the panels and members of the audience had a chance to express their opinions and analyses of the recordings. Several of the sessions lasted until 1:30 am.
Fun and Games. There were lots of fun things: a
jam session, a "Roaring Twenties Night" with prizes for the best costumes,
and a "Musical Games" session. Just sitting with other Bixophiles at breakfast,
lunch and dinner and exchanging information was a great part of the fun.
For example, I met the person who took the famous photograph of Tom Pletcher
in front of the blue cabin in Hudson Lake (the cabin where Bix, Pee Wee
Russell, Dan Gaebe and Irving Riskin stayed in the summer of 1926).
It turned out that it was David Vener, long time friend of Tom Pletcher.
Over 40 years ago, Tom and Dave drove from Los Angeles to the east coast
and stopped at various Bix sites on the way: Davenport, Hudson Lake, etc.
It was good to see Rickey and Don Bauchelle again. Rickey is Doc Ryker's
daughter. I met Scott Sizer, a fellow contributor in a jazz forum. It was
good to see again my fellow Bixophiles Harold Gast and Joe Giordano. I
met Mark and Caroline Renwick. Mark's theatre organ version of Singin'
the Blues is available in the Bixography website. I met many other devoted
Bixophiles, too many to name individually. It is said that a picture is
worth a thousand words. So here is a photo of all the participants in the
Bix 100 cruise.
All in all, it was a week to remember:
it does not get any better. All participants owe a debt of gratitude
to the organizers -Diane Gelaude and Linda Meadors- and to the sponsors
-the officials of the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Society, President Ray Voss,
Secretary Muriel Voss, Treasurer Annie Peart, and Music Director Rich Johnson.
Special Concert at the Blue Lantern
The West End Jazz band under the direction of Mike Bezin will appear at the Blue Lantern in Hudson Lake, Indiana, on November 9, 2002 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00.p.m, for an evening of music and dancing. The Blue Lantern was the ballroom where one of the Jean Goldkette units that included Bix appeared in the summer of 1926. For tickets, contact The Whistle Stop at (574) 654-9191.
The West End Jazz Band just issued
their second CD, Still in the '20s: Hot Dance-Vol.II. From the liners for
the CD, we read, "This is the second in a new series of CDs by the West
End Jazz Band focusing on the 1920s hot dance musical style. Just like
Volume I, this CD features original Mike Bezin arrangements of great tunes
from the '20s and '30s." Several of the selections are from the library
of the Original Coon-Sanders Nighthawks. Other numbers are from the Herman
Kenin band and the Savoy Orpheans. Volume III is in the works. To
purchase copies of this Cd or of the previous one, write to Mike Bezin
at 2843 Maple Ave., Berwyn, IL 60402.
The Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Band will make an appearance at the Bridgewater Concert Series on March 15, 2003 to celebrate Bix's 100th birthday. This is the band that went to Davenport in 1971 to play at Bix's graveside and was the catalyst for the founding of the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Society. The following year, 1972, and every year ever since, Davenport was the site of the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival.
The March 15 concert will take place at 8:00 PM in the Somerset County Vo-Tech High School Theater, North Bridge Street and Vogt Drive, Bridgewater, New Jersey. For ticket information call 908-526-8900 Ext. 7219 or 908-781-0470.
The Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz
Band will also make an appearance at the 2003 Bix Beiderbecke Memorial
Jazz Festival in Davenport in July 2003. Make your plans early!
Bix 100th Birthday At The JVC Festival (posted 10/28/02)
A highlight of the 2003 JVC Jazz
Festival will be a hundredth anniversary tribute to Bix Beiderbecke, co-produced
by Randy Sandke and Richard M. Sudhalter, to be held June 19th at Danny
Kaye Playhouse. All-star cast will probably include Scott Robinson, Dan
Levinson, Howard Alden, Jerry Dodgion, Mark Shane. Randy Reinhart, and
others, with Sudhalter and Sandke the chief cornet/trumpet soloists. The
concert will be preceded by a panel discussion about Bix and his legacy,
hosted by the producers and open to all ticket holders. Details to follow
as things firm up.
Addendum. Here is the final program. (posted 4/26/03)
BIX LIVES ON: A BEIDERBECKE
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
Howard Alden, Joe Ascione, Dan Barrett,
Greg Cohen, Jerry Dodgion, Wycliffe Gordon,
Jon-Erik Kellso, Dan Levinson,
Ken Peplowski, Randy Reinhart, Scott Robinson, Randy Sandke, Mark Shane
and Dick Sudhalter
Pre-concert panel discussion 6:15-7:15pm
George Avakian, Vincent Pelote,
Randy Sandke & Richard Sudhalter
Produced by Randy Sandke and Richard
Sudhalter
The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College
8pm
THE KAYE PLAYHOUSE AT HUNTER
COLLEGE
East 68th Street between Park
& Lexington Avenues
Tickets
At Kaye Playhouse Box Office
(Mon -Sat from 12-6pm)
By calling 212-772-4448
The 19th edition of New Orleans
Jazz Ascona will take place from June 27th to July 6th, 2003 and will honor
the centenary of the birth of legendary cornet and piano player Bix Beiderbecke.
The festival will be called "Bixology", which is also the title of "In
A Mist" in European issues of Bix's piano recording of the piece.
For additional details to be posted early next year, go to http://www.jazzascona.ch/
Here are some excerpts of interest.
Tributes to Bix Beiderbecke
Even this year, some of the hottest
moments of the festival will be the special events, taking place on
the main stage in Piazza Torre.
The 19th edition has in store several appointments of great interest. In
the centenary of his birth, Ascona
2003 will celebrate the music of Bix Beiderbecke, which constitutes the
thread of the festival, this year entitled “Bixology”. The great American
cornet player of the 1920s will be
remembered in particular through
a series of special productions, which will undoubtedly captivate the heart
of many Bix fans.
Tuesday, July 1
REMEMBERING JOE VENUTI (1903 -2003)
In addition to being Bix’s centenary, the year 2003 also marks
100 years from the birth of Italian-American violin player Joe
Venuti, who first introduced the violin in jazz in the early
1920s. During the latter years of his life, Joe Venuti was close friends
with Lino Patruno. The two played together in a number of
festivals and concerts, and recorded 2 LPs (now on CD). Andy
Stein and Mauro Carpi are the two violin players who will
remember Joe Venuti on this occasion. Already protagonist of the Ascona
festival in 2002, Andy Stein played a part in recording the soundtrack
of the movie “Bix” by Pupi Avati. Mauro Carpi is a member of Lino Patruno’s
Blue Four, also performing in Ascona this year.
With Lino Patruno Jazz Show & His Blue Four - Special
Guest: Andy Stein (vio), Howard Alden (g)
Wednesday, July 2
ENRICO INTRA PLAYS PAUL WHITEMAN
Renowned pianist and orchestra director Enrico Intra will conduct the
orchestra of “Musica Oggi”, in memory of great director Paul Whiteman.
Among the musicians who played in Paul Whiteman’s orchestra were Bix Beiderbecke,
Frank Trumbauer, the brothers Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Joe Venuti, Eddie
Lang (celebrated last year in Ascona), and singer Bing Crosby. Paul Whiteman
commissioned “Rhapsody in Blue” from George Gershwin. The two also played
the piano together in front of the Aeolian Hall in New York in 1934.
In Ascona, Enrico Intra will conduct musical pieces performed by Bix (here
interpreted by Dick Sudhalter), as well as “Rhapsody in Blue” in its original
1924 version! Marco Fumo will be at the piano, playing both the Rhapsody
and the piano suite that includes “In a Mist”, “Candlelight”, “Flashes”,
and “In the Dark”. Lino Patruno will be on the banjo, recalling the great
Mike Pingitore.
With Enrico Intra & Civica jazz Band - Special Guests: Dick Sudhalter
(cnt), Lino Patruno( bj), Clive Riche (voc), Marco Fumo (piano in
“Rhapsody in Blue” & in “Bix Piano Suite”)
Thursday, July 3
WILBER – PATRUNO & THE SOUNDTRACK OF FILM “BIX”
Another unique evening, that will see on stage almost all
the members of the ensemble which in 1990 recorded the
soundtrack for “Bix”, the movie directed by Pupi Avati which competed
at the Cannes Film Festival that year
(representing Italy). Bob Wilber was present at the time as arranger
and Lino Patruno as co-scriptwriter, musician, and soundtrack producer.
The movie tells the dramatic story of Bix, from the time he was 18
years of age until his death at 28. The ensemble will cover the musical
repertoire of the famous Davenport cornet player, from the “Wolverines”
to the band led by pianist Hoagy Carmichael.
With Tom Pletcher (cnt), David Sager (tb), Bob Wilber (cl, ss), Kenny
Davern (cl), Frans Siostrom (bs), Keith Nichols (p), Lino Patruno
(g, bjo), Joel Forbes (b), Walter Ganda (dms), Andy Stein (vio)
Friday, July 4
THE TRUMPET PLAYERS IN MEMORY OF BIX BEIDERBECKE
This will be the highlight evening of the festival, featuring four
great American cornet players honoring the music of Bix. The four musicians
– Tom Pletcher, Randy Reinhart, Dick Sudhalter, and Randy Sandke – will
play together as well as interpret individually the music of the great
Davenport cornet player.
With Tom Pletcher (cnt), Randy Sandke (cnt), Dick Sudhalter (cnt),
Randy Reinhart (cnt), Dave Sager (tb), Bob Wilber (cl,ss),
Kenny Davern (cl), Keith Nichols (p), Lino Patruno (g), Joel Forbes
(b), Ed Metz Jr. (dms), Andy Stein (vio). Special Guest: Howard Alden
(g).
Bix at 100 at The Blue Lantern (posted 11/21/02)
Mike Bezin, the leader of the West End Jazz Band, announces a concert in celebration of Bix's 100th birthday and the first anniversary of the Reopened Blue Lantern. mark your calendars.
Sunday, May 4, 2003
A Tribute to Bix, Part XIII (posted 12/14/02)
Phil Pospychala's annual tribute to Bix will take place
on February 27-March 2, 2003 in Racine, Wisconsin. Three bands will play.
1. Dan Levinson's Roof Garden Jass Band
2.Norrie Cox and His New Orleans Stompers
3. Josh Duffee's Jean Goldkette Orchestra
Events
Website http://www.geocities.com/bixfest/
Write to bixguy@hotmail.com or to
Phil Pospychala
15745 W. Birchwood Lane
Libertyville IL 60048-5101
To begin the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Bix's birthday, the New Wolverines will open on February 28, 2003 the program of monthly gigs organized by the Sydney Jazz Club. The opening concert will be a special "Bix's 100th Birthday" celebration. In July, the New Wolverines will appear in the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival and will tour the midwest and and will appear in California before flying home to Austalia. Here is their detailed itinerary.
Annual
Bix Birthday Bash in Davenport. (posted
December 21, 2002)
Special Events Mark Bix’s 100th Birthday
Several special events have been
scheduled around Bix’s 100th birthday, which is Monday, March 10, 2003.
The Quad City Symphony, to honor Bix, has requested that the Bix Beiderbecke
Memorial Society provide the music for their Annual Symphony In Bloom concert
at the Adler Theatre, Saturday evening March 8, 2003.
6 – 7:30 p.m. Pre-Concert party,
“Gumbo in the Garden.”
Music by the Jim Martinez Jazz Trio.
8 – 10:00 p.m. Concert at the Adler
Theatre
Some warm up tunes by the Jim Martinez Jazz Trio followed by
the Josh Duffee Orchestra in concert with special guest soloist, Tom Pletcher
The Annual Bix Birthday Bash, hosted
by the Davenport Public Library and the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Society,
will feature the Riverboaters Jazz Band with special guest soloist, Tom
Pletcher. Also sharing the stage will be the Jim Martinez Trio.
This event will take place on Monday,
March 10, (Bix’s 100th birthday), during lunchtime from 11:30 a.m. until
1:30 p.m. Because of an anticipated increase in attendance, this performance,
usually held at the downtown Public Library, has been moved to the Gold
Room of the Rhythm City Casino’s Black Hawk Hotel.
Tom Pletcher.
Internationally acclaimed guest
cornet soloist, Tom Pletcher, was born in a world of jazz in 1936. His
father, Stewart “Stew” Pletcher (1907-1978) was a trumpet soloist with
some of the best orchestras of the 1930 and 40s. Personal friends included
Jack Teagarden, Louis Armstrong, Mildred Bailey, Tony Pastor, Art Tatum,
Benny Goodman, Bud Freeman, Eddie Miller, Mattie Matlock, Benny Carter,
Bunny Berigan and numerous other New York, Chicago and Los Angeles musicians.
At age 17, Tom discovered one of his father’s old worn out 78 records,
which changed his life forever! It was Frank Trumbauer and his Orchestra’s
1927 recording of “Baltimore” featuring Bix Beiderbecke. Then and there,
Tom decided to take up playing the cornet in an effort to perpetuate the
style of Bix while not trying to copy or imitate his note for note solos.
Tom, like Bix, is self- taught
having learned by listening and playing along with records.
He is a founding member of the
Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Society and appeared at several of the early Bix
jazz festivals with notable Bix associates as Bill Rank, Spiegle Willcox,
Bill Challis, Chauncey Morehouse, “Doc” Ryker and Paul Mertz. Among other
top artists he has performed with are Jack Teagarden, Bobby Hacket, Red
Nichols, Bob Haggart, Dick Hyman, Bob Wilber, Kenny Davern, Dan Barrett,
Teddy Buckner, Jim Cullum, Bob Havens, Ben Pollack, Pee Wee Russell, Eddie
Miller, Cliff Leeman, Nick Fatool, George Van Eps and many others.
Jim Martinez
Jim began his musical career at
age four. In a short amount of time he has amassed a list of accomplishments
encompassing nearly all styles of music. Martinez, 37, will be opening
All-Star Night for the seventh year in a row at the 2003 Lionel Hampton
Jazz festival. Headliners will include Lou Rawls, Clark Terry, Christian
McBride and many others. The L.A. Times calls this festival “…the number
one festival in the world.”
Jim’s first professional gig was
with the legendary jazz trombonist, Sy Zentner. Jim has since performed
or recorded with notables like Lionel Hampton, the Stan Kenton Alumni,
Russell Malone, Jeff Hamilton, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Benny Golson,
and Ed Thigpen, the first drummer for the famous Oscar Peterson Trio. Jim
has performed with the Sacramento Symphony and toured as a featured guest
with the U.S. Air Force Band.
Jim received eighteen years of
classical training, most of those years under Ukranian teacher, Yuriy Oliynyk.
Jim won numerous awards that include the Camellia Symphony and the Chico
Symphony Young Artist Concerto Competitions, the Music Teacher’s Association
Junior Bach Festival (two times), just to name a few.
Joining Jim in his Trio will be
two outstanding local musicians, Ron Wilson on bass and Manuel Lopez III,
(Dude), on drums.
Jazz Praise III is Jim’s most recent
CD which contains his arrangements of church hymns as jazz renditions.
In the trilogy many musicians have been featured on these CD’s, including
Lionel Hampton, Carla Cook, and Ed Thigpen.
Jim’s company, Invisible Music
Software, arranges and records MIDI files (music on floppy discs) for digital
and acoustic player-pianos.
Winter 2003 Issue of Agrippina on Bix.
Aggripina is a literary magazine
issued quarterly in Chicago. Poetry and short story fiction are published
in the magazine. Every issue of the magazine features an artist on the
cover and articles about the artist. The winter 2003 issue will have Bix
on the cover and two contributions by Bixophile Laura Mazzuca Toops. One
is an overview of Bix's life. The other is a fictional short story entitled
A
Friend With Pleasure about the last months of Bix's life. Laura is
currently working on a novel called Hudson Lake, set at the Blue Lantern
in the summer of 1926. To see an excerpt of the novel, go to Laura's
website.
Bix
at the 30th Annual Sacramento Jazz Jubilee.
The Jim Cullum Jazz Band will present a special tribute to Bix on May 23 and 24, 2003 at the Crest Theatre in downtown Sacramento, CA. Renowned New York bandleader and bass saxophone/bass string/tuba player Vince Giordano pictured on the right will play with the band.
Article by Jean-Pierre Lion About "Singin' the Blues." (posted February 21, 2003)
The French jazz magazine "JazzMan" will publish, in the March issue, an article by Jean-Pierre Lion about "Singin' the Blues." This is in commemoration of Bix's 100th birthday. "JazzMan" is one of the most prestigious French jazz magazines. The article is an excerpt from Jean-Pierre's forthcoming 400-page biography of Bix to be published (in French) in the the summer 2003.
Bix
in Breda. (posted
March 13, 2003)
On March 22nd and 23rd, 2003, in
Breda, The Netherlands, there will be a tribute to Bix. Two concerts will
be offered for the "Bix in Breda Extravaganza." On Saturday, March 22nd,
Joep Peeters and his Bix Band (12 pieces plus vocal trio) play the music
of the Goldkette Band and Bix and his Gang. On Sunday, March 23rd, The
Bixomaniacs (8 pieces) play the Trumbauer arrangements.
For additional information go to
http://www.joeppeeters.nl/
I am grateful to Joep Peeters for providing the
information about the concert.
Addendum (May 12, 2003)
Here is the announcement of a concert
which will take place on May 29, the first day of the
Breda (Holland) Jazz festival.
THE BIX BEIDERBECKE FABULOUS
ORCHESTRA plays the original arrangements recorded
by Frank Trumbauer and his Orchestra, The Sioux City Six, The Broadway
Bellhops, Bix, Tram and Lang, Bix Beiderbecke and his orchestra.
You really hear Bix, Bill Rank,
Adrian Rollini, Eddie Lang, Don Murray, Frank Trumbauer, Vic Berton and
Frank Signorelli !
This band, with leader and cornet-player
Ad Houtepen will give a concert in Breda (Holland) on May 29
at the concert-hall of ‘De Nieuwe Veste’. The concert starts at 4.00 p.m.
This afternoon-concert is a must for every Bix-lover.
AD HOUTEPEN
CORNET, ARRANGEMENTS
VICTOR BRONSGEEST
TROMBONE
RONALD JANSEN HEIJTMAJER
CLARINET, C-MELODYSAX, ALTOSAX
FLOORTJE SMEHUIJZEN
ALTOSAX, PIANO
GUIDO NIELSEN
PIANO, VIOLIN
TON VAN BERGEIJK
GUITAR, BANJO, VOCALS
ROBERT VEEN
BASS-SAX, TENOR SAX
LOUIS DEBIJ
DRUMS
Information BBFO: Ad Houtepen, Paulinastraat
3, 4818 SR Bredaafa.houtepen@12move.nl
It is as if you hear Frank Trumbauer
and his Orchestra live !
For additional information, contact
The Bix Beiderbecke Fabulous Orchestra
Ad Houtepen
Paulinastraat 3
4818 SR Breda, Holland
afa.houtepen@12move.nl
Bix
100 in Birdland. (posted
March 23, 2003)
George wrote on March 20, 2003
and complained (justifiably) about the limited coverage of
Bix's 100th birthday. George provided
the following information about Bix at "Birdland," the
legendary jazz club in Manhattan.
"Bix's music has been receiving
live performances every week this month at Birdland, 5:30 to
7:30 pm every Tuesday, by David
Ostwald's Gully Low Jazz Band (renamed the Armstrong
Centennial Band for this open-end
engagement). The band is now in its third year of playing
nothing but the music of Louis
Armstrong, but in March David switched to Bix only.
I finally got back to Birdland a
couple of days ago, and it was quite terrific. The band,
which changes personnel (drawn
from the best traditional jazz musicians in the New York
area, according to who is available
on any given Tuesday) and never has to rehearse,
offered a splendid program with
such surprises as "I Need Some Petting," which probably
has remained unplayed since Bud
Freeman's 1940 recording for Decca. The front line of Jon
Kellso, Wycliffe Gordon and Dan
Levinson (the most frequent regulars, along with Vince
Giordano on banjo) sounded as though
they had been playing Bix material for years and in
keeping with his policy of opening
every Armstrong performance with a chorus of "Sleepy
Time Down South," David opened
with "Singin' the Blues," using it as a set closer as well.
I persuaded David to keep this going
into April as well, and I strongly suggest that you
post the news on the Bix "list."
I also suggested to David that if this results in a strong
enough Bix presence at the club,
he could split each Tuesday between Louis and Bix."
Birdland is located at 315 West 44th street between 8th and 9th avenues in Manhattan. Call (212) 581-3080 for reservations and information. Remember: Tuesdays in March and April, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Centennial Band plays the music of Bix Beiderbecke.
Bix 100 at the Smithsonian. (posted April 22, 2003)
Friday, April 18 7:00 pm - 9:15 pm, Saturday April 19 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
In a Mist: Bix Beiderbecke’s 100th
Birthday
Carmichael Auditorium,
The National Museum of American
History, first floor
The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra Octet, lead by Randy Sandke, will salute the music of cornetist Bix Beiderbecke on his birthday.
The following is a review by Paul Means.
The Smithsonian Institute's Jazz
Master Octet presented "In a Mist: Bix Beiderbecke's 100th Birthday" to
full houses in the Museum of American History's Carmichael Auditorim last
Friday night and Saturday noon. The octet was led by jazz cornetist, historian
and columnist Randy Sandke, whose recent cd performed arrangements of Armstrong
and Beiderbecke head sheets he had found which had never been recorded.
The audience demonstrated again,
unfortunately the divisions within the house of jazz: there were few African
Americans at the evening concert, and the only African Americans I saw
at the noon concert were the Smithsonian announcer/presenter and Wycliffe
Gordon, the octet's very talented trombonist. A good share of the audience
were septa and octogenarians, but there was also a good showing of thirty
somethings with their young children. The tourists tended to be oriental,
who were very polite, attentive, and applauded in the right places.
Neither Washington paper covered
the concert. I Emailed the Washington Post Art Editor that it was "incomprehensible
to me that a limited Art Section could find more than a page for a feature
on 'HipHop's Sacred Ground' but could not spare a few inches to review"
the Beiderbecke concert.
The program offered a good sampling
of Bix's work. From three early selections from the Wolverines ("Fidgety
Feet, Tia Juana, Big Boy") Goldkette ("My Pretty Girl") Trumbauer ("Singin'
the Blues, I'm Coming Virginia, No Reason At All in C, Riverboat Shuffle")
Whiteman ("Because My Baby Don't Mean 'Maybe' Now") amd Bix and his Orchestra
("I'll be a Friend ((with Pleasure)"). They were called back for two encores:
"Clarinet Marmalade" and "At the Jazz Band Ball."
Obviously to carry this program
off, you have to start with a good cornet and C Melody Sax player. The
Octet has both. Sandke is not only a very fine and knowledgable musician,
he is obviously smitten with Bix and has spent many hours in his effort
to replicate him. Scott Robinson, who has played tenor sax with Buck Clay,
trumpet with Lionel Hampton and alto clarinet with Paquito D'Rivera's clarinet
quartet is impressive on C Melody Sax. At the begining of "I'm Coming Virginia"
and in "For no reason at all in C" I closed my eyes and heard a live Trumbauer.
He also played second trumpet and bass sax with echoes of Rollini. (He
used a giant contra bass saxophone in his most recent cd.)
"In a Mist" was done by the ensemble
without piano. And "Louisiana" was done as a piano solo by Mark Shane,
who had served an extended tour as a house pianist at Eddie Condon's in
New York. He also performed expertly "Candlelights", and gave a credible
"Rythym Boys" solo of "Because My Baby Don't Mean 'Maybe' Now," without
attempting an exact imitation of the 20s Crosby.
Clarinetist Ken Poplowskie had
obviously listened to Ray Miller many times, but our good doctor would
not have appreciated "China Boy": rather than the Whiteman/Challis arrangement,
they replicated the Goodman trio (Goodman/Krupa'Wilson) after a Sandke
explantion about how much Benny admired Bix.
"Georgia on my Mind" was used as
a show piece for trombonist Gordon, who has great tone and attack.
The truncated Saturday noon program
was amended to assist Sandke, who had been afflicted with food poisoning
overnight : "Now I understand how Bix sometimes felt," he remarked. In
another unBixian touch, a gofer came out before each concert and placed
bottled water under each musician's stand.
Bix Vigil, 2003 (Draft July 12, 2003)
The year 2003 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of jazz pioneer Bix Beiderbecke. August marks the 72nd anniversary of his death. On this occasion, a special vigil will be held in Sunnyside, Queens, New York. The following information is provided by Paul Maringelli, the organizer of the event.
Saturday August 9th at 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM
All Saints Church, 43-12 46th Street, Sunnyside, Queens
There will be music and discussion. The highlight of
the evening will be the unveiling of a plaque in memory of Bix Beiderbecke.
The plaque will be placed on the front wall of the building at 43-30 46th
Street, Bix's last residence.
Additional details will be announced later.
The support and assistance of Father Jerome and All Saints Episcopal Church, The Kiwanis Club of Sunnyside, The Sunnyside Foundation for Community Planning and Preservation, The Greater Astoria Historical Society, Community Board Two, Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan, and Chris Beiderbecke, among others, are gratefully acknowledged.
Bix 100 at the 92nd Street Y (uploaded July 23, 2003)
Jazz in July is an ongoing series of jazz programs, currently in its 19th year, presented at the 92nd Street Y. For those not familiar with the 92nd Street Y, I will point out that it was founded in 1874 as the Young Men's Hebrew Association Since the inception of Jazz in July, Dick Hyman, the noted jazz pianist, has been the artistic director. The program for the opening night of the 2003 series, which took place on July 22, was entitled "Venuti, Bix and Lang at 100" and was described as "a triple centenary celebration of three jazz greats." It is notewothy that this is the second Jazz in July program devoted to celebrating the great legacy of the jazz genius Bix Beiderbecke. On July 18, 1996, Dick Hyman presented the program "If Bix Played Gershwin."
Joe Venuti and Bix Beiderbecke were born in 1903, whereas Eddie Lang was born in 1902. However, in view of the strong musical relationship between Joe and Eddie, it was quite appropriate for Dick Hyman to describe this concert as a triple centenary celebration. Moreover, in the the 1920s and in 1930, Bix, Eddie and Joe played and recorded together -as part of the Jean Goldkette, Frankie Trumbauer, Paul Whiteman and Hoagy Carmichael orchestras- dozens of musical numbers. Thus, the "triple centenary" celebration has a strong historical precedent.
The musicians gathered to open the Jazz in July series for 2003 represent the cream of New York's jazz scene. And when I say the best in New York, we must understand that the artists chosen for the concert are also the best in the world: Howard Alden, Dick Hyman, Dan Levinson, Bucky Pizzarelli, Randy Sandke, Andy Stein and Vince Giordano and His Nighthawks (Vince Giordano, Jon-Erik Kellso, Arnie Kinsella, Mark Lopeman, Dean Pratt, Tom Roberts, Brad Shigeta and Jack Stuckey).
The program had two parts. The first part was devoted,
mostly, to celebrating the artistry of Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang. Andy
Stein, with great flair and virtuosity took the role of Joe Venuti. Howard
Alden with outstanding technical prowess emulated Eddie Lang. Here is a
list of all numbers (and participating musicians) played in the first part.
Stringing the Blues. Andy Stein, Howard Alden.
Going Places. Andy Stein, Howard Alden, Dick Hyman.
Beating the Dog. Andy Stein, Howard Alden, Dick Hyman,
Vince Giordano.
Pardon Me Pretty Baby. Andy Stein, Howard Alden, Dick
Hyman, Vince Giordano, Dan Levinson.
Fit as a Fiddle. Andy Stein, Howard Alden, Dick Hyman,
Vince Giordano, Dan Levinson, Arnie Kinsella.
Tiger Rag. (Based on the rccording of Thomas Dorsey and
His Novelty Orchestra). Andy Stein, Howard Alden, Dick Hyman, Vince Giordano,
Dan Levison, Jon-Erik Kellso.
Guitar Blues. Howard Alden, Bucky Pizzarelli.
A Handful of Riffs. Howard Alden, Bucky Pizzarelli.
In A Mist. Bucky Pizzarelli.
In the Dark, Howard Alden.
Meddley of Bing Crosby Songs. Blue Serenade, It Must
Be True, April Kisses. Howard Alden, Bucky Pizzarelli.
Some of These Days. Andy Stein, Howard Alden, Dick Hyman,
Vince Giordano, Dan Levinson, Jon-Erik Kellso, Bucky Pizzarelli.
The order and progression of the numbers was organized in a very clever manner. The first number consisted of a duet of violin and guitar. Then, one instrument was added at a time until a group of six was reached. Then, they went back to a duet, then solo musicians playing two of Bix's piano semi-classical compositions, and for the final number, a contrast with the previous introspective performances, we had a group of seven playing a very hot number. I thought that the first part was a fitting tribute by a number of highly talented musicians to the genius of Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang. Particularly, I must mention the fantastic emulation of Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang by Andy Stein and Howard Alden, respectively. They are to be congratulated.
The second part of he program was essentially Vince Giordano
and His Nighthawks -augmented by Randy Sandke- playing Bix's music. Here
are the numbers they performed.
Clementine and My Pretty Girl from the Jean Goldkettte
repertoire.
A Good Man Is Hard to Find, Three Blind Mice, Baltimore,
Singin' the Blues, There'll Come A Time and I'm Coming Virginia from the
Frank Trumbauer recordings.
Lonely Melody and 'Tain't So, Honey, 'Tain't So from
the Whiteman period.
Barnacle Bill The Sailor, as done by Hoagy Carmichael.
I thought the band was fantastic and the performances -individual as well as collective- superb. About a dozen musicians doing the music of a variety of bands that Bix recorded with -some of similar size, (Goldkette and Carmichael), some smaller (Trumbauer) and yet others of much bigger size (Whiteman). Nevertheless, in all cases the spirit and the flavor of Bix's recordings was fully captured and emulated. I was favoraly impressed by the addition of a chorus to the classic "Singin' the Blues." Following Bix's solo played by Randy Sandke, Jon-Erik Kellso and Dan Levinson played simultaneoulsy Bix and Trumbauer's solos. I thought this was a very effective way of demonstrating how well Bix and Tram understood and complemented each other. The whole performance was done at a very high musical level and, when warranted -Barnacle Bill the Sailor- with a great deal of humor. Randy Sandke obviously understands Bix and provided thoughtful recreations of Bix's solos.
Referring to another concert that I attended sometime ago, I described Vince Giordano and His Nighthawks as the Jean Goldkette of the 21st century. That is the highest compliment that I can think of, for the Goldkette band -with Bix and Tram- was certainly the best hot dance band that ever existed. Vince and the Nighthawks are first class musicians, the arrangements are very carefully done to preserve the spirit of the music of the 1920s, and it is clear that the performance brings the players a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction. The audience also was delighted and appreciative and expressed its feeling by applauding enthusiastically the solos as well as the ensemble work.
All in all, it was one of the most accurate and delightful recreations of the music of the 1920s that I have ever attended. Dick Hyman, the folks at the 92nd Street Y, and the entire cast of musicians are to be praised and congratulated.
I want to add that, in conjunction with the six concerts
in the 2003 series, there is an exhibit of Hank O'Neal's photographs
of jazz musicians. An excellent set of photographs. One section of the
exhibit is reserved for Bix Beiderbecke, Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang. Photographs
of the three honored musicans are displayed and information about
them is provided. I copied some of the text.
Bix Beiderbecke. A quote from Louis Armstrong. "...and
all of a sudden Bix stood up and took a solo and I'm telling you those
pretty notes went all through me."
Joe Venuti. A quote from his mother. "How could anyone
act like a devil and play like an angel."
Eddie Lang. A quote from Mike Peters, guitarist and historian.
"In Joe Eddie found his bad boy, and Joe was more than willing to act it
out for both of them. Joe, on the other hand, found Eddie's gentle personality,
level head, and practicality the perfect elixir for his excesses."
Links.
1. http://www.92y.org/content/jazz_in_july_2003.asp
A description of all six concerts for the 2003 season.
2. http://www.92y.org/content/jazz_in_july_photo_exhibit_2003.asp
A description of the Jazz in July photo exhibit.
3. http://www.92y.org/default.asp
Home page of the 92dn Street Y.
The generous support of Beverly Greenfield , Associate Director for Media Relations, is gratefully acknowledged.
The
West End Jazz Band to Record at the Blue Lantern
(uploaded September 15, 2003)
On October 25, 2003, the West End
Jazz band will record their new hot dance CD, Volume IV. The event will
take place between 6 and 10 pm (Chicago time) at the historic Blue Lantern
at Hudson Lake, Indiana. Admission is $10 per person. Tickets are available
at the Whistle Stop (formerly the Blue Lantern) or by calling (574)654-9191.
Additional information is available at http://www.westendjazzband.com
