[Dixielandjazz] Bix - undigested food for thought

[Richard Broadie]

Hi John,

Louis found his niche and was very comfortable in it, just being happy in
either the role of musician or entertainer.  Bix, I feel was different,
perhaps exploring "serious music" because he didn't feel he was advancing in
his jazz playing.   I would guess that, had Bix grown in his knowlege of
theory and harmony in "serious music" he would have applied it to jazz in a
manner to further advance it as far as he could take it.  I was told years
ago that one of the reasons Bix drank as much as he did was that he was
frustrated by the limitations of the music of his era.  Rather like a 747
pilot trying to fly a Wright Brother's aircraft?    That's my 2 cents worth
on this speculative venture.  It may not be worth that much, but it's fun to
guess.

Dick B




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "john petters" <jpettjazz at btinternet.com>
To: "DJML" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2003 3:42 PM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Bix - undigested food for thought


> Dick said
>
> > I wonder if Bix, himself would have wanted his music preserved as it was
> > recorded during his lifetime.  In long ago conversations with Hoagy
> > Charmichael and Phil Harris who knew Bix well, I was given the
impression
> > that Bix was anything but interested in tradition.
> >
>
> I doubt if Bix would even have thought about it.
>
> In his era, Bix was "far out," with creativity and
> > innovativeness being his hallmarks, in addition to his brilliant
> execution.
> > Had Bix lived and additional 15 years, I have little doubt that Bird and
> Diz
> > would have been at his side saying, "How'd ya do that, man?"  I
>
> Interesting point about Bix, Bird and Diz. However Louis Armstrong was not
> affected at all by Be Bop, perhaps Bix would have remained playing his own
> thing and doing what Bobby Hackett did. More likely he would have gone
into
> 'serious' music as his piano works indicate.
> John Petters
> Amateur Radio Station G3YPZ
> www.traditional-jazz.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Dixielandjazz mailing list
> Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
> http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz