Davenport celebrates a jazz pioneer
Leon Bismark “Bix" Beiderbecke was one of the first great white jazz musicians, a live-fast, die-young icon of the Roaring '20s. But in his hometown of Davenport, Iowa, on the Mississippi River, the mantra is “Bix Lives."
Helping to keep that flame burning for Davenport's most famous resident, the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival will bring in a slew of bands July 23-26, and in the process work to preserve traditional jazz as an American art form. Members of the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Society have staged the annual event since 1972.
“They love him and want his life, snuffed out so quickly, to go on in the music being played in his hometown," said Jim Arpy, a longtime society board member. “The great loss is for what could have been, should have been. He was in his prime at 28" when he died in 1931.
Jazz was shipped up the Mississippi, courtesy of African-American musicians in the South, and landed in Davenport early in the 20th Century. Its prime spot now during the fest rests along that river at LeClaire Park, the main Bix venue. The park will take you back, with its 1925 band shell and period backdrop. Some of the best-feeling jazz ever played will waft over the park on the river bank.
Leon Bismark “Bix" Beiderbecke was one of the first great white jazz musicians, a live-fast, die-young icon of the Roaring '20s. But in his hometown of Davenport, Iowa, on the Mississippi River, the mantra is “Bix Lives."
Helping to keep that flame burning for Davenport's most famous resident, the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival will bring in a slew of bands July 23-26, and in the process work to preserve traditional jazz as an American art form. Members of the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Society have staged the annual event since 1972.
“They love him and want his life, snuffed out so quickly, to go on in the music being played in his hometown," said Jim Arpy, a longtime society board member. “The great loss is for what could have been, should have been. He was in his prime at 28" when he died in 1931.
Jazz was shipped up the Mississippi, courtesy of African-American musicians in the South, and landed in Davenport early in the 20th Century. Its prime spot now during the fest rests along that river at LeClaire Park, the main Bix venue. The park will take you back, with its 1925 band shell and period backdrop. Some of the best-feeling jazz ever played will waft over the park on the river bank.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
