Bix And Hoagy – Piano Pedal Rag and Stardust

Bix And Hoagy TO BE WRITTEN     Piano Pedal Rag Rich J wrote yesterday and told me about the time Hoagy was invited to the Bix festival in Davenport. Jim Arpy was reading some of his old articles and found one about Hoagy. Don O’Dette had invited Hoagy to the Bix Festival back in […]

Bix’s Fellow Musicians – The Final Story on Joe Venuti’s Birth Place

The Final Story on Joe Venuti’s Birth Place    TO BE WRITTEN.     Social Security Application for Account Number I found 27 Joseph Venutis in the Social Security Death Index. Three were of the right age. One of them had died in Seattle, WA, the known location of Joe Venuti’s death. The SSDI gave […]

Bix’s Fellow Musicians – Sylvester Ahola

Sylvester Ahola   Trumpet player Sylvester “Hooley” Ahola was born in Gloucester, MA on May 24, 1902. His parents were from Finland. His first professional engagement, in 1921, was with Frank E. Ward’s Orchestra in Massachusetts. In 1926, Ahola joined the Paul Specht orchestra in New York and traveled with the band to England. In 1927 […]

Bix’s Fellow Musicians – Vic Moore

Vic Moore Vic Moore was the drummer of the Wolverine Orchestra during Bix’s tenure with the band. With the invaluable help of  Mary Daniel, the grand-niece of Vic Moore, I have gathered some information about Vic Moore. It is presented here. Victor Moore was born July 12, 1902, in Chicago and died Aug. 19, 197,6 […]

Bix’s Fellow Musicians – William Eugene Prendergast

William Eugene Prendergast (under construction) Photographs.     Orange Blossoms in 1925 – Taken at the Book Cadillac Hotel Sitting at the piano: Hank Biagini, leader, trumpet. Left to right: Ed Murray, piano; Ray Eberle, alto; Tommy Gargano, drums; Al Cox, banjo; Bill Maitland, tuba; Spike Knoblock (Glen Gray), alto; Gene Prendergast, tenor; Ed Arnold, trombone; […]

Bix’s Fellow Musicians – Leonard Stanley “Doc” Ryker

Leonard Stanley “Doc” Ryker Doc Ryker is one of only two musicians (the other was Howdy Quicksell) who was with the legendary Jean Goldkette Orchestra from its inception in 1922 until it was disbanded in 1927. During these years, Doc played with several famous jazz and dance band musicians such as Steve Brown, Jimmy and Tommy […]

Bix’s Fellow Musicians

Bix’s Fellow Musicians In this section, I will provide information about the musicians who played and recorded with Bix. I will include, whenever possible, biographic and discographic information,  photographs, and any other relevant material, mostly previously available but, occasionally, newly discovered.

Bix’s Fellow Musicians – Bud Freeman

Bud Freeman Bud Freeman participated only in three recording sessions with Bix, and all took place in 1930, in the twilight of Bix’s short life. Nevertheless, each session brought us magnificent performances by Bix. The May 21, 1930 session with Hoagy Carmichael and His Orchestra brought us the explosive solo in “Barnacle Bill, the Sailor”. […]

Bix’s Fellow Musicians – Paul Mertz

Paul Mertz Paul Mertz participated in the January 26, 1925 recording session of  Bix Beiderbecke and His Rhythm Jugglers, the historic session that brought us the immortal “Davenport Blues”. Paul Mertz also appeared in several other recordings of Bix with the Jean Goldkette Orchestra and in the February 4, 1927 session where Bix and Tram […]

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