RECORDINGS 

• Joker. This is the first attempt to transcribe all of Bix's 78 rpm recordings in chronological order, including alternate takes. The set,entitled "Bixology, Bix Beiderbecke 1924-1930" consists of 14 LP's and was produced by International Joker in Italy and distributed by Saar Srl. of Milan. The individual records were issued during 1973 and 1974. The boxed set was issued in 1981 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bix's death. There are no liners, only a discography. There are 200 sides included in this set. The recordings that are not included are 19, 45, 94, 98, 99, 102, 108, 117, 118, 120-124, 127, 128, 133, 138, 141-143, 146-150, 153, 154, 160, 162-167, 174, 177-179, 182, 183, 185, 186, 188-192, 195, 198, 200, 201, 206-208, 213-215, 217-222, 225, 228, 232, 237-239, 242, 248, 249, 256-258. These are mostly recordings where Bix's audible contributions are practically indiscernible. The set includes Get Out and Get Under the Moon, Paul Whiteman, May 22, 1928 and When You Are Counting the Stars Alone, Paul Whiteman, September 13, 1929. These are not in the list of 78 recordings provided above nor are they included in the Sunbeam or Masters of Jazz sets. According to Brian Rust's The American Dance Band Discography, 1917-1942, Bix was not present for these recordings. The set includes One Night in Havana, Hoagy Carmichael, September 15, 1930. For additional information on this recording, see analysis. The Joker set was a valiant and successful attempt to provide everything that was known at the time regarding Bix's recording career. The LP's were produced from original 78's kindly made available by three record collectors and Bix fans, Vittorio Castelli, the late Ted Kaleveld (coauthors of Bix's disco-biography, see Biographies), and Lino Patruno (producer of the soundtrack of the film Bix: An interpretation of a Legend).

• Sunbeam.This set of 20 LP's, entitled "Sincerely, Bix Beiderbecke" represents the definitive, chronological, almost complete set of recordings of Bix Beiderbecke. The project was researched by the coproducers, Alan Roberts and John R. T. Davies. The discographical information was from Bix, Man and Legend, by Richard Sudhalter and Philip Evans, from Tom Pletcher and from Paul Mertz. The preparation took four years, and included a world-wide search for the best possible sources. The set was issued in 1988. It includes a very informative and well-written booklet by Chip Deffaa "Bix Beiderbecke, An Appreciation", several photographs, and a copy of a letter from Paul Mertz to Charles Wareing.  Previously unissued sides were found and are included. Alternate takes of Parts 1, 3, and 4 of Metropolis are not included. Neither are three sides - Oh Gee! Oh Joy!, Why Do I love You and Ol' Man River - recorded by Lou Raderman and His Pelhalm Heath Inn Orchestra on March 3, 1928. For additional information about these recordings, see analysis.The September 13, 1929 recording of Waiting at the End of the Road by the Paul Whiteman Orchestra is included, but the solo is assigned to Andy Secrest, not to Bix; see analysis. The September 15, 1930 recording of One Night in Havana by Hoagy Carmichael and his orchestra is included as a Bix side; see analysis. In addition to all known Bix's recordings (with the exceptions mentioned above), part of record 19 and record 20 contain sides from musicians highly influenced by Bix such as Jimmy McPartland, Sterling Bose, Red Nichols, Andy Secrest, Bobby Hackett, Esten Spurrier, and Tom Pletcher.

• Bix Restored.

Note added 4/9/03. The complete set, four volumes, twelve CDs, 289 tracks is now complete.  Undoubtedly this is the definitive Bix on CD. It is a magnificent set with all of Bix's recordings, including alternate takes. The sound is excellent, the liners highly informative. Since the tracks are presented in chronological order, they illustrate admirably Bix's progress as a cornet player and musician throughout his very short life. "Bix Restored"  is a complete musical biography of the jazz genius from Davenport. As such it is "required course material" for Bixophiles and jazz aficionados throughout the world.
Bix Restored, Volume 1. February 1924-September 1927.
Bix Restored, Volume 2. September 1927-February 1928.
Bix Restored, Volume 3. February 1928-June 1928.
Bix Restored, Volume 4. JUne 1928-September 1930.
For detailed information and listing of the tracks for each CD visit the Origin Jazz Library.

Original information, 1999. This is an excellent beginning to what could be the definitive Bix on CD. At present, volumes 1 and 2 consisting of three CD's each and covering the period February 1924 through February 1928 are available. The recordings included here are identical to those in the Sunbeam LP set except for some additional mastering. Recordings 1-130 in the list of original 78's are to be savored. Let's hope that the complete set will become available in the not too distant future.
Note added 2/14/99: Bill Givens, the producer of the set, passed away sometime in the last month.
Note added 10/2/99: Volume 1 consists of three CD's and covers the period February 1924 through September 1927. It includes recordings 1-65 (Fidgety Feet to Wringin' and Twistin') of the "Original 78 r.p.m. Recordings" section. Volume 1 includes a fold-out map, sort of a board game with important dates in Bix's life.
Volume 2 consists of three CD's and covers the period September 1927 to February 1928. It includes recordings 66-130 (Humpty Dumpty to From Monday On, Take 6). Volume 2 includes a very informative booklet by Randy Skrevedt, the editor of Past Times, The Nostalgia Entertainment Newsletter. In the booklet, Randy provides "capsule biographies of some of Bix's compatriots."
Randy writes (e-mail message of 10/1/99): "Volume Three is now in production; Volume One will be re-released soon (with all new graphics replacing the fold-out "map" of the original issue, and some new and improved transfers).



Note added 8/13/2005.
 

OJL announces Bix Restored, Vol. 5 release

 

    Now available from Origin Jazz Library, Bix Restored Volume 5 is an addendum to the acclaimed Bix Restored series that featured meticulous restoration of every recording on which cornetist Bix Beiderbecke played.  The highlight of this volume is three newly
discovered alternate takes of recordings featuring Beiderbecke: one by Paul Whiteman's orchestra and two by Frankie Trumbauer's orchestra, one of which, "Futuristic Rhythm," contains the best and most significant new solo by Bix to be discovered in nearly three decades.  The rest of the CD is filled with the reverberations of Bix's influence on his contemporaries between 1927 and 1939. On this CD, you will hear the work of well-known
horn men like Jimmy McPartland and Bobby Hackett, as well as more obscure disciples such as Andy Secrest and Stirling Bose.  Also included are other performers such as Bing Crosby, Benny Goodman and Red Norvo, showing that Bix's influence was not limited to cornetists and trumpeters.  The package also features a new essay on Bix's influence by renowned author, Bix scholar and cornetist Richard M. Sudhalter. New, digital restoration and sound reduction by Michael Kieffer.

 

Price: $16.00 plus $2.00 shipping in United States. See website for international orders. 

 

To order, send check or money order to

 

Origin Jazz Library

PMB 333

1534 N. Moorpark Rd.

Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

 

Credit card orders (Visa & Mastercard only) : from the OJL website (www.originjazz.com) (order from New Release page)

 

CD CONTENTS

 

1. Ol' Man River                     Paul Whiteman & his Orch. (unissued take)

2. Futuristic Rhythm                Frankie Trumbauer & his Orch. (unissued take)

3. Raisin' the Roof                   Frankie Trumbauer & his Orch. (unissued take)

4. Manhattan Rag                    Frankie Trumbauer & his Orch.

5. Davenport Blues                  Charleston Chasers

6. Indiana                                  Red Nichols & his Five Pennies

7. Blue (Blue & Broken

        Hearted)                            Bennie Goodman's Boys

8. Since You Went Away          The Hotsy Totsy Gang

9. Add a Little Wiggle               All Star Orchestra

10. There's a Rainbow 'Round

          My Shoulder                   McKinney's Cotton Pickers

11. Cradle of Love                    Ray Miller & his Orch.

12. Stardust                               Hoagy Carmichael & his Pals

13. So Tired                               Royal Peacock Orchestra

14. My Blackbirds are

        Bluebirds Now                   Jean Goldkette & his Orch. 

15. Original Chinese Blues       Boyd Senter & his Senterpedes

16. (We'll Find Our Shelter)

        Before the Rain                 Carolina Collegians (Hal Kemp)

17. Allah's Holiday                    Night Club Kings

18. Singin' the Blues                 Connie's Inn Orchestra (Fletcher Henderson)

19. Kissin' My Baby

           Goodnight                       Duke Ellington & his Famous Orchestra

20. In a Mist                              Red Norvo

21. Sweet Sue - Just You           Bing Crosby

22. Singin' the Blues                  Marion Harris

23. Dream Child                         Carl Webster's Yale Collegians

24. Keko                                     Andrew Aiona's Novelty Four

25. Small Fry                              Adrian Rollini's Quintet

26. Embraceable You                 Bobby Hackett & his Orchestra




• Masters of Jazz. The set consists of 8 CD's issued in France between 1991 and 1995. The Masters of Jazz collection is directed by Christian Bonnet with Philippe Baudouin as the musical consultant. There are extensive liners and discographical notes in French and in English by Marc Richard, a saxophone and clarinet player who performed extensively in Europe with several jazz bands and who taught history of jazz at the CIM school of music. About 180 sides are included in this set. The recordings which are not included are 19, 24, 26, 27-30, 36, 39, 40, 43-46, 87, 94, 98,99, 102, 107, 109, 117, 118, 120-124, 127, 133, 138, 141-150, 153, 154, 162, 165, 168, 169, 171-174, 177-179, 182, 183, 185, 186, 188-192, 195, 200, 201, 206-208, 213-222, 225, 228, 232, 237-239, 242, 243, 248, 249, 256-258, 271. The set includes the post-Bix recordings by the Wolverine Orchestra (with Jimmy McPartland on cornet) of When My Sugar Walks Down the Street (December 5, 1924) and Prince of Wails (December 12, 1924), Paul Whiteman's recording of When You're Counting the Stars Alone (September 13, 1929), Jess Stacy's recordings of In the Dark, Flashes, and Candlelights (mid- and late thirties), and Red Norvo's recording of In A Mist (November 21, 1933). Andy Secrest is specifically identified as the soloist in When You Are Counting the Stars Alone. The discographical notes justify the absence several of Bix's recordings on the basis of the absence of an important audible contribution of Bix to the recording or the similarity between two takes of the same song. Record 87 (Sugar, Frankie Trumbauer, October 26, 1927) is excluded explicitly. See the discussion above.

• IRD.The set consists of nine CD's and was produced in 1991 by IRD Records of Milan, Italy.This is basically the Joker set with the addition of recordings that had been discovered since the initial issue of the Joker set. At the suggestion of Lino Patruno, the production of this set was timed to coincide with the 60th anniversary of Bix's death. The additions to the Joker set are the Marion McKay's side Doo-Wacka-Doo (see analysis), the alternate take of Thou Swell, and the 1950 Ralph Sutton's recordings of In A Mist, Candlelights, Flashes and In the Dark.

•  The Complete OKeh & Brunswick Recordings Of Bix Beiderbecke, Frank Trumbauer and Jack Teagarden 1924-1936. (uploaded April 3, 2004)

This is a set of seven CDs issued by Mosaic Records. The set contains every OKeh Bix and Tram and Bix and His Gang recordings of 1927-1929. It also includes the Broadway Bell Hops and Chicago Loopers sessions. There are a total of about 60 Bix sides. The producer is Scott Wenzel. Audio restoration is by Doug Pomeroy and the liners are writtten by Richard Sudhalter. The presentation and sound are outstanding. In addition, the set contains a lot of Tram (without Bix) and Teagarden. To see the complete discography, click here. 

I reviewed this set in the Bixography Forum on March 7, 2002. Here is a copy of that review.

First, let me say a little something about the presentation. The CDs come in a 12 3/8 inch box, exactly the size of an old LP album and fits well with a collection of LPs. The box has a facsimle ca 5 1/2 in of the OKeh label for Trumbauer's record "Baby Won't You Please Come Home?" Inside the box there are the seven CDs that constitute the music and a 36-page pamphlet with extensive liners and extremely detailed discographical information. The set was produced by Scott Wenzel. The audio restoration is by Doug Pomeroy with disc and tape transfers by Doug Pomeroy, Andreas Meyer, John R.T. Davies and Jack Towers. The liners are written by Richard M. Sudhalter. A panel of experts consisting of Richard Sudhalter, Scott Wenzel, Michael Brooks, Dan Morgerstern, Mike Peters, Dave Sager, Loren Schoenberg and Joe Showle was convened to analyze and provide accurate discographical information.

The pamphlet is very handsomely put together and features 25 very well reproduced and high-quality photographs, many of which were previously unpublished. The text is written by Richard Sudhalter with his usual insights and flair. After a general introduction, Dick goes on to discuss each of the sessions in chronological order. There is general information about the tunes recorded as well as detailed musical analyses. Historical asides abound, quotes from musicians are provided, so that we are not just dealing with "liners" as ordinarily found in LPs or CDs. The complete discussion of the recording sessions represents a mini-history and analysis of some of the most influential and prominent white jazz musicians of the 1920s and first half of the 1930s.

Last, but not least, we turn to the sound. Doug Pomeroy has done miracles with the sound. The latest Mosaic Brochure (#40, November 2001) reports an interview of Doug by Scott Wenzel. Clearly, Doug is an experienced and highly competent audio engineer who takes the audio restoration -or music restoration as he prefers to call what he does- as a labor of love, not just a job to be completed. Doug is concerned about the quality of the original discs. He starts by cleaning them very thoroughly (gas mask and gloves are required!). Then he worries about pitch and styli to play the discs. Once the music is extracted from the original discs, Doug utilizes Digidesign software, and occasionally CEDAR, to remove noise and distortions. The procedure is very time-consuming - Doug succintly states, "It takes time." The result is most certainly worthy of the time, effort, and care devoted to obtaining it.

From my personal point of view, it was a thrill to play consecutively and in chronological order the recordings from the first four sessions of Frank Trumbauer and His Orchestra. There are no interruptions, and we are dealing with pure Bix and Tram at their peak of creativity and freshness. The sound is so good, that I think I convinced myself that I was listening to my beloved Bix in person. Wishful thinking? Perhaps.

All in all, we owe a great debt of gratitude to producer Scott Wenzel, writer and musician Richard Sudhalter, and music restorator Doug Pomeroy. They have provided a treasure to be enjoyed and savored for years to come. At about $15 each, the seven CDs are a bargain considering the amount of work and expertise that went into producing them.
 
 






 

Through His Music, Bix Is Alive
 

Recordings
The Original 78's
Analysis of Some Recordings: Is It Bix or Not ?
Complete Compilations of Bix's Recordings
Tributes to Bix
Miscellaneous Recordings Related to Bix
In A Mist