Report on Tribute to Bix, February 28, March 1-3, 2002
The Tribute in 2002 followed the same pattern as previous ones.
A trip to see jazz sites on Thursday; record sales, seminar, and old films on Friday,; more record sales, seminar, mystery record contest, and concert on Saturday; concert and Bix birthday cakes on Sunday; late night record spinning on Friday and Saturday. Fran Fitzwilly, one of only two persons alive who knew Bix personally, attended the Tribute; she was her usual bright, jazz-loving, 90+old Bix fan! Hooray for Fran. The Seminars. Phil Pospychala discussed Bix’s alcohol addiction and his stay in the Keeley Institute in Dwight IL, October 14, 1929 – November 18, 1929. Phil had copies of several documents: admission, progress, and discharge reports. Asked how he had obtained confidential medical records, Phil (understandably) declined to indicate his source. I asked him to make copies of the reports available for posting in the Bixography.
He will consult with his source and get back to me. The reports did not bring any startling new information. Some of the information is summarized in p. 491-492 of Evans and Evans’ book. Two items in the reports are noteworthy. Bix stated that he drank three pints of whiskey daily. Most people thought that three pints was understated, more likely three quarts. The whiskey part surprised me because I thought Bix was a gin drinker. The second item has to do with negative evidence. Bix underwent a pretty thorough examination upon admission to the Institute. There is no mention of any scars on his body. This is discussed in detail in The second seminar which was an account of Phil’s trip to New York city in early September 2001 and his successful attempt to take photographs of the interior of Bix’s apartment in Sunnyside, New York. Phil’s account was published in a recent issue of Joslin Jazz Journal. I asked Phil for a copy of the article and copies of the photographs. Knowing Phil, I wouldn’t hold my breath. (Don’t get me wrong: Phil is a great guy, a devoted Bixophile, his tributes to Bix are highly successful affairs, but he is not the most organized person in the universe). The Films. The films were shown by Bixologist and musician Frank Powers.
They were fantastic, very early Vitaphones and pieces of early films. The showing lasted for about four hours with fascinating commentaries from Frank. I can provide a listing of only a few of the films, bands, or songs that Frank featured. (My notes are illegible!) A version of “Singin’ the Blues” from a 1928 silent. Gus Arnheim in 1928 with Ray Lopez and Russ Colombo. A 1929 Vitaphone with the Mound City Blue Blowers. Leo Reisman in late 1928 or early 1929 with perhaps Bubber Miley (not enough growling in my opinion to be BM). Smith Ballew sang “If I Had You, ” “Some of These Days ” and other tunes. An excerpt from the 1932 film “Emperor Jones” with Paul Robeson, James P. Johnson, and Fletcher Henderson. An excerpt from a 1930 movie where Van and Schenk do “Harlem Madness.” A 1930 short directed by Buster Keaton with Cliff Edwards. The 1932 short “The Yacht Party” featured the Roger Wolfe Kahn orchestra with Artie Shaw, Manny Klein, and Charles Teagarden. A 1933 Vitaphone with Isham Jones’ Orchestra. An excerpt from the 1940 film “Rhythm on the River” with Bing Crosby and Harry Barris. Gene Rodemich added a soundtrack to the 1916 Charlie Chaplin hilarious short “One A.M.” Cab Calloway doing “Reefer Madness” in 1933. The Benny Goodman Quartet in 1937 from the film “Hollywood Hotel.” An excerpt from the 1929 film “The Delightful Rogue”, the first interracial jazz band with Curtis Mosby on drums. Cabin in the Cotton from 1932.
Curtis Mosby and his Dixieland Blowers in 1929. Vincent Lopez in 1932 doing St. Louis Blues with Mike Mosiello on trumpet. A delightful evening and the four hours went past too rapidly! The Bands. There were three bands, Mike Bezin’s West End Jazz Band, The West Jesmond Rhythm Kings, and Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers. Mike Bezin’s band (cornet, trombone, reeds, tuba, banjo, drums) was at the Tribute last year. I was impressed by the progress they have made in just one year. They fall, to my ear, in the category of a hot dance band, playing a lot of Coon-Sanders Nighthawks and California Ramblers selections. The band features excellent arrangements by Mike who plays excellent cornet and a faithful 1920s sound; I enjoyed them very much. They are going to play on May 5, 2002, at the grand reopening of the Blue Lantern in Hudson Lake; save that day in your calendar and go, if you possibly can make it. The West Jesmond Rhythm Kings (trumpet, trombone, reeds, tuba, and banjo) are heavily into Clarence Williams; the leader, Mike Durham, has a very good (typically British) sense of humor and plays excellent trumpet. The audience at the concerts on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon was very receptive and enjoyed the music immensely. The Birthday Cakes. Norman Gore promised to send me photos of the cakes. I will post copies of the photos late in April.
The reproduction of record labels was magnificent. There were three cakes. 1. Victor, In My Merry Oldsmobile, Jean Goldkette and His Orchestra, Special Record. 2. Harmony, There’s A Cradle In Caroline, Broadway Bellhops, 504H. 3. Jazz Classics, 532A, Bessie Couldn’t Help It, Bix Beiderbecke with Hoagy Carmichael and His Orchestra. Overall, another great Tribute to Bix with the indefatigable Phil playing all instruments, organizer, host, MC, seminar lecturer, tour guide, etc. On Sunday evening, when the Tribute ended, Phil was given a highly deserved warm applause by a grateful audience. Go, Phil, go.