Bix Vigil – 2002

This was a great success. There were over 30 people, Bix fans, officials from local historical and civic societies, and neighbors. The most distant visitor was our Forum contributor, Andrew, from Minnesota. The nearest, from across the street, was Paul who had organized last year’s vigil. It was good to see him up and around after his operation. I believe that the reason for the success is that the vigil, after the first effort by Paul, is beginning to gain momentum through the active participation of the local organizations, the Sunnyside Historical Society, the All Saints Church, and last, but not least, the organizational skills of Stuart and Tony.

We had had a heat wave in New York for several days. But August 6 began as a beautiful, clear, cool, and dry day. The vigil started at about 7:30 pm with a selection of American patriotic songs played by the Sunnyside Drum and Bugle Corps, with Tony directing. The band consists of about eight youngsters (10 to 14) playing drums and cymbals and four playing xylophones. It was a call to the neighbors and passers-by for the upcoming Bix vigil. Around 8 pm, Tony started setting up the PA system in the beautiful Church courtyard. Once that was complete, Stuart put on one of the CDs he brought along, and Bix’s music was heard throughout the neighborhood. Tony introduced the Church senior warden, Lindsay, who graciously greeted the people. I said a few words, mostly about how Mike, Joe, and I had started the gatherings in 1999, with very limited success. I mentioned the idea of the plaque. It turns out that the commemorative plaque on the apartment building for 2003 represents one of the highest priorities for the local groups.

Then one by one, at Stewart’s suggestion, Bixophiles went up to the microphone and told the circumstances that led them to discover Bix’s music. At about 8:45 pm, we lit candles, took a moment of silence, and played “Ill Be A Friend With Pleasure.” When the song was over, Stewart suggested that we should all walk to the front of Bix’s apartment in the form of a procession, lit candles in hand. We did. Then we knocked on the door of apartment 1G and Andrew explained to Murat, the owner of the apartment, who we were and what we were doing there. Murat knew that the apartment had been occupied by a famous jazz musician because Phil Pospychala had been there last year and had taken photos of the apartment. Murat was quite friendly and allowed me to come in and see the layout of the apartment. As one enters, there is a small foyer that leads straight to a large room with windows facing the back of the building. To the left, there is a narrow corridor that leads to a small bedroom.

Two doors in the corridor lead to the kitchen and bathroom. It was very emotional for me to actually be inside the apartment where Bix had lived briefly -and had died. I am grateful to Murat for his kindness. By 9:00 pm we were back in the courtyard and the vigil was over. There was clearly a determined attitude by organizers and participants to come back next year, the centennial year, for a special vigil that would include a commemorative plaque. I thank Stuart for sending copies of the photos. The Turkish Connection. Some of you know that I was born in France. What most of you do not know is that my father and mother were born in Izmir, Turkey, and that I have three cousins (the children of my father’s brothers) born in Izmir and still living in Turkey. One of the people to show up at the vigil was Becky, a nice lady born in Izmir, Turkey. Guess what? Becky went to the same school that my cousins went to and knew them all! Talk about a small world! The organizers are soliciting donations ($10, 20, 50, etc. whatever you can afford; donations are tax-deductible) toward the plaque and vigil for 2003. Please make checks payable to “Sunnyside Foundation for Community Planning and Preservation” and mail them to 45-18 Skillman Avenue, Sunnyside, NY 11104. Please add “Bix Memorial” on a memo of all checks.