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Tag Archives: Bix Beiderbecke
Bix Lives Here
In the summer of 1971, a group of musicians made a pilgrimage to Oakdale Cemetery in Davenport, Iowa. They planned to play a simple concert in homage to one of the pioneers of jazz, on the fortieth anniversary of his death. Almost … Continue reading
Posted in Library, Local History
Tagged Bix Beiderbecke, Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival, Bix Porch Party
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The Importance of Primary Resources
One of our readers, former Davenporter Brendan Wolfe, wrote to share an interesting story about the only known newspaper interview with Bix Beiderbecke, which was published in the Davenport Democrat on February 10, 1929. Bix Beiderbecke is always interesting, at … Continue reading
A Place to Tap Your Feet – The Col Ballroom
If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a hundred times (how many of us heard that saying growing up?), the early Quad City Germans loved to sing and parade through town. It wasn’t just local Germans truthfully. When Davenport held special … Continue reading
Ode to Oakdale
One of the difficulties in locating death records in Iowa is that they did not exist prior to 1880.* This means that roughly fifty years worth of ancestors passed away in our state without leaving behind that vital (if you’ll pardon … Continue reading
Happy 106th Birthday, Bix!
As we could not confirm that Bix Beiderbecke ever recorded the “Happy Birthday” song, we present for your listening pleasure, ‘Singing the Blues” by Trumbauer’s Orchestra.* May we recommend 1:25-1:40? That right there would be the sound that lives on.** ___ * From … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Bix Beiderbecke, Davenport, Iowa, Jazz, Local History, Singing the Blues
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Dancing in the Yuletide Glow
Beneath the glittering chandeliers women in formal evening gowns danced with their escorts to the music of a live band. Outside the cold December evening passed, but inside hundreds of people warmed by dancing, drinking, and laughter probably did not … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Bix Beiderbecke, Blackhawk Hotel, Crystal Ball, Gold Room, Visiting Nurse Association
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A Double-Bix Weekend!
Bix Beiderbecke, for those of you who don’t know, was a jazz genius, a coronet player who jammed with the likes of Hoagy Carmichael and played with the Jean GoldKette Orchestra and the Paul Whitman Band. When he died on … Continue reading
For Bix — Happy Birthday
A moment of silence, please, for the jazz musician who didn’t need to read music with his eyes to play notes with his soul. Born March 10, 1903. Died August 6, 1931. His music lives on. And now, a moment … Continue reading
