The Daily Times: Radio Station Tribute to Bix

The August 8, 1931 issue of the Davenport newspaper carried the following column.

Station WOC Pays Tribute to Memory of Bix Beiderbecke.

Stations WOC and WHO paid a brief tribute to Leon Bix Beiderbecke, who died Thursday night in New York City, during the broadcasting of the Valley dance program this noon, when Bert Sloan, pianist, played one of his compositions, ‘In A Mist,’ and the announcer read the following statement:

We are saddened at the untimely death of Leon “Bix” Beiderbecke, a Davenport boy who made himself famous as one of the leading trumpet players of the United States.

Bix passed away last Thursday at 9:30 p.m. in New York City after a brief illness of pneumonia.

Recognized as a musical genius while still in his hometown, Leon Beiderbecke went to the cities where for three years he acted as trumpet soloist, playing for “The King of Jazz,” Paul Whiteman, who recognized Bix’s ability and termed him “the finest trumpeter in the country.”

He was connected for about the same length of time with Gene [sic] Goldkette’s orchestra in Detroit, during which he did considerable recording and broadcasting.

It was quite natural that anyone so talented should turn to the work of composing music, and among the many numbers that he brought out, one stands forth as a fine example of modern rhythm.

In memory of Leon “Bix” Beiderbecke, Bert Sloan will play as a piano solo this young genius’outstanding composition, ‘In A Mist’.

I thank Rich Johnson for sending me a copy of the article.