[Dixielandjazz] Bix

[Robert S. Ringwald]

 Bix Beiderbecke is probably the most discussed jazz musician of his time. 
He is held
in a very high regard in which legend and performance are intertwined. 
Beiderbecke
made the first of his 250 recordings in 1924 and his last in 1930, ten 
months before
his death. On August 6, 1931 at the young age of 28 Bix died of lobar 
pneumonia at
43-30 Bliss (46th) Street in Sunnyside, Queens.
Thanks to the financial donations of the Office of Assemblywoman Catherine 
Nolan
and the Kiwanis Club of Sunnyside, a free outdoor concert was held last 
Saturday
evening to memorialize this jazz legend at the place of his death. Father 
Joseph
Jerome of the All Saints Episcopal Church loaned their churchyard, which 
borders
Bix's last residence, for the staging of the event. Photographs depicting 
Beiderbeck's
life were on display in the churchyard. Nunziato's Florist of Woodside 
contributed
a special floral arrangement for the occasion.
The tribute began with a performance by the Sunnyside Drum Corps under the 
direction
of Tony Lana. Early jazz grew out of the marching band tradition and this 
was demonstrated
when guest Mike Ridley, trumpeter of the Cotton Club Orchestra, performed 
jazz passages
along with the traditional marching music of the Drum Corps. Next Father 
Jerome said
a short prayer for the memory of Bix Beiderbecke. Special guest Bix 
Shoemaker, son
of Beiderbeck's sister, was introduced and he told a few family anecdotes 
about his
famous uncle.
The highlight of the evening was a two-hour performance by the Bix 
Beiderbecke Sunnyside
Memorial Jazz Orchestra, organized for this special occasion by trombonist 
and Sunnyside
resident Frank Pedulla. Featured in the orchestra was Dr. Frank Jolly on 
cornet,
performing all of Bix's parts, along with Mike Ridley on trumpet and second 
cornet.
Orchestra members included Marcello Blanco, saxophone; Marty Rawlens, 
clarinet; Jay
Rozen, tuba; Ms. Marie Stack, banjo; and Paul Maringelli, drums. Bix 
Beiderbecke
songs and music of the Jazz Age were performed.
As a special added attraction, Dixieland performer "Spatz" Donovan sang and 
danced
a few numbers.
On display was a 1928 "Model A" Ford owned by Woodside resident Tom Lopez. 
It was
the kind of car in which Bix Beiderbecke and his buddies drove around town.
Among the 200 plus in the audience was world renowned Bix historian Albert 
Haim.
It was a bitter-sweet occasion that was enjoyed by everyone in attendance.


--Bob Ringwald K6YBV
916/806-9551
www.ringwald.com
--
Leader, The Fulton Street Jazz Band
www.fultonstreetjazz.com
--
The Boondockers (jazz and Comedy)
www.theboondockers.com

A good friend will help you move.
a REALLY good friend will help you move the body.