RIP, Bix Beiderbecke (1903-1931)

Jazz cornetist Bix Beiderbecke died on August 6, 1931, in Queens, New York, at the age of 28. The official cause of his death was "lobar pneumonia" and "brain edema," but many individuals believe that Beiderbecke died of an alcoholic seizure during delirium tremens. Beiderbecke was buried in the Oakdale Memorial Gardens cemetery in his home town of Davenport, Iowa.

Beiderbecke was one of the first great soloists of jazz and played a sensitive, "cool" style of jazz that contrasted with the hot, hard playing of someone like Louis Armstrong. Jazz critic Terry Teachout called Beiderbecke and Armstrong "the two most influential figures in the early history of jazz."

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends The Bix Beiderbecke Story: Bix and Tram, Vol. 2 (Columbia). Unfortunately, this album is not available in CD or MP3 format. According to Jim Determan, who has updated the Lyons book for CD, there are two good alternatives:

• Bix Beiderbecke: Singin' the Blues, Volume 1 (Sony), which Determan says "is a better collection than [The Bix Beiderbecke Story], since it includes the best tracks from the LP, has more cuts, and includes Bix's unique piano solo, 'In a Mist.'" It is available on CD from Amazon.com.
• Bix Beiderbecke: Bix & Tram (JSP), which Determan claims "has superior remastering by John R. T. Davies on most tracks, and makes an excellent choice, especially for those who want more than one Beiderbecke disc." It is available on CD from Amazon.com.

Beiderbecke leads His Gang on "Royal Garden Blues" here:

Robert
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