Articles About Bix in 1927-28 Issues of the Melody Maker
Beginning in April 1927 and continuing until September 1928, the British magazine “Melody Maker” published one article and several record reviews about Bix Beiderbecke.
The First Article
The first article was written by the Elizalde brothers in the April 1927 issue. The brothers give high praise to Bix. Suffice to say that Elizaldes writes:
Bix is called the “king” by his brother musicians.
A correction
Red Nichols was born in Ogden, Utah, not San Jose, California. Bix’s last name is incorrectly given as Bidlebeck. I have seen many incorrect spellings of Beiderbecke, but this is the first time I have seen the letter “l”! The names of Tram and Ben Pollack are also misspelled. The brothers have excellent musical appreciation: they recognized the special quality of Benny Goodman as early as April 1927.
Review of Singin’ the Blues
July 1927. High praise for Bix, Tram, and Eddie Lang. The reviewer does not like the clarinetist’s (Jimmy Dorsey) tone.
Review of Riverboat Shuffle
September 1927.
Bix has a heart as big as your head, which shines through his playing with the warmth of the sun’s rays.
Bix’s last name is still spelled Bidlebeck.
Review of I’m Coming Virginia
October 1927.
Another glowing review.
Bix’s name is now spelled as Beiderbeck (no e at the end).
Remarks about the cymbal work, but does not identify the drummer as the great Chauncey Morehouse.
Reviews of Sorry and Since My Best Girl Turned Me Down
The reviewer is obviously in awe of what Bix does in these recordings. There is also a brief comment about “In A Mist” (“enchantingly delightful”).
Review of Jubilee and Somebody Stole My Girl [sic]
The reviewer is not too thrilled about “Jubilee” but loved “Somebody Stole My Gal”.
Altogether, the articles provide evidence that by mid-1927, Bix was known in England and was highly praised -the best trumpet player in America. Nick Dellow writes:
I am very impressed with the MM’s cogent and reasonably balanced assessment of Bix’s playing on these Parlophone sides.
What is even more remarkable is the degree of factual information disseminated to the readers at such an early date.
True that Beiderbecke’s name is misspelled, but the Melody Maker’s reporting and reviewing imbued British fans with an awareness of not just the names of the leading lights in the jazz/dance band field at the time, but an insight into the changing styles occurring in America and a comprehension of the relative importance of these developing genres.
And you can quote me on that!
I am indebted to Nick Dellow for kindly scanning these wonderful -and revealing- pages from the Music Maker and for his permission to upload the scans.