[Dixielandjazz] Bix's influence sources.

[Don Ingle]

Not to be disagreeable, but such Bixian inspired players as Tom 
Pletcher, the late Rosie McHargue, and yours truly believe that it was 
Larry Shields more than LaRocca that gave Bix the most inspiration. 
Careful listeneing to Shields shows that he had this melodic/chordal 
approach with a hint of  impressionism influence. Listen to his clarinet 
lines and you'll find a similarity to some of the lines found in Bix's 
playing, far more so than in LaRocca's.
Rosey, who was a great inspiration to many young musicians coming up, 
including listees Gay Kiser, Dan Leveninson and  others who hung around 
the old pro at Sterling's and other L.A. area places where Rosey held 
court, and he spoke form a position of years of duty in the trenches and 
broad experience few of the newer generation will likely b able to match 
for lack of the venues and demand. As a clarinetist, he was able to 
judge such nuances that he said contributed to Bix's playing, and after 
doing a lot of listening to the old ODJB sides, I came to agree with his 
viewpoint.
But then, as in all opinions, this one is just that -- mine -- and 
that's all it is.
Don Ingle