[Dixielandjazz] Review of Bix Fest in Davenport Iowa

[Mike Woitowicz]

Fellow DJML'rs, 



I just returned from the Bix Fest in Davenport Iowa. The last time I was there was about 4 years ago and I was anxious to hear some of the many NY players that were invited, as well as a few new bands I hadn't heard before. (Note: I do not normally enjoy all-star bands, and for the most part this was true of this festival. The exception at the Bix, in my opinion, was Randy Sandke's New York All Stars. See my comments below). The following are my comments and opinions on the bands I heard. I left off names out where it didn't add to the critique, and I missed a few because I couldn't write fast enough. 

 

I ran into former DJML'r and pianist Bob Erdmann. We had a nice dinner together and traded musical war stories. I also had a chance to meet Howard Alden and talk banjo with him a bit (if you didn't know, he's a superb tenor banjoist besides being a jazz guitarist). These experiences alone were worth the trip. I'd be curious regarding any other reviews of the Bix fest. 

 

Here are my comments. NOTE: LONG AND WORDY. IF DISSINTERESTED, DELETE NOW.



Davey Jones and His Bixieland Allstars

One of three All-Star bands in the Bix lineup this year. The players are seasoned veterans and all are excellent musicians, but they didn't provide drive and excitement. 

 

High Sierra Jazz Band

This west coast band has been around for many years, but it's the first time I heard them. Wow, what a superb bunch of musicians and performers. Very tight arrangements, great musicianship and enough dry humor from clarinetist/leader Peter Meijers to keep you laughing all night. They packed the crowds in at all their venues, and rightly so. Saturday night, after a couple of really tasty obscure Turk Murphy tunes with vocals, their closing number was "Wrought Iron Rag."  They rightly deserved the standing ovation.

  

The St. Louis Riverman

Nope, not Jean Kittrell and the SLR. Jean's health issues have caught up with her and she has retired. The band is continuing on per her wishes as the St. Louis Riverman. The players seemed re-energized since I saw them with Jean in April of this year at the Madison, WI jazz fest. I heard them at several venues, and they were outstanding each time.

 

The New Wolverine Jazz Orchestra

I was looking forward to hearing this Australian band again. I hadn't seen them in several years. I was somewhat disappointed. Leader and reedman Trevor Rippingale did not make the trip, nor did the band's usual drummer. Stewart Binstead was replaced in the banjo/guitar chair also. While local drummer Josh Duffee did a terrific job providing color and cymbal splashes, he unfortunately could not get the band to swing consistently. The replacement players on reeds and banjo/guitar are competent musicians, but the band does not have the same freshness that made it appealing in past years.

 

Randy Sandke's New York All Stars

This was the only "All Star" band that, in my opinion, did justice to the event. Trumpeter/leader Randy Sandke led some great NY musicians in playing Bix arrangements with a few Bix jam numbers thrown in for variety. It was amazing to see and hear them playing these complex arrangements, and pulling it off so smoothly. Randy's trumpet work was excellent. Scott Robinson played C melody sax, bass sax, trumpet and everything else lying around (so it seemed). Mark Shane's piano work was tasty and driving. Nicki Parrot provided nice string bass solos and visual candy. Dan Barrett blew the place away with his trombone work. Howard Alden's 7-string guitar band solos were great, and his finger style George Van Epps individual solo on Saturday drew a standing O. I didn't get the names of the clarinetist and drummer, but they also were outstanding NY area musicians.

 

Spats Langham and His Rhythm Boys

This band of trad musicians from across the pond in jolly old England pretty much played obscure trad and novelty tunes, as well as featuring vocals by guitarist/banjoist/ukuleleist Spats Langham. Spats did a couple of nice solos from the early 1920's at different sessions. One was a "Ukulele Ike" vocal novelty tune featuring kind of a vocal falsetto yodel sound and the other a credible version of a difficult Harry Reser banjo solo called "Pickins".  In general, an entertaining group of musicians, with a little different approach to OKOM. Best of all, they played with enthusiasm and fire at each set.

 

Statesmen of Jazz with Warren Vache

Solid senior musicians who jammed all the numbers. Nice solos by Warren Vache, Allen Vache, John Alred and the others, but no fire in the belly as a band. 

  

Wally's Warehouse Waifs

I had heard this band during my last visit to the Bix about 4 years ago, and was not too impressed at that time. They've tightened up their act, improved their intros and endings and seem to work better as a unit. The audience liked their straight ahead OKOM and their homespun humor. Overall, a nice, solid 7-piece unit.

  

West End Jazz Band

If you like "Hot Dance" music (I do), nobody does it better than Mike Bezin's group. Very tight arrangements with just a bit of freedom for improv now and then, gives this band a sound of their own. Leah LaBrea (Bezin), the "Windy City Songbird" provides clear vocals on complex lyrics, as well as playing some tasty banjo background licks.  





************** 

 

I did not hear any of the youth bands nor attend any of the afterglow events, lectures, gravesite services or Dixieland church events. There is just so much one can cram into a couple of days. This is the 37th annual Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival and the organizers obviously have learned how to put on a good show as well as treating the customers right. The venues are all great (except for some sound issues in the Danceland Ballroom), the city puts out the welcome mat, and if one searches, accommodations can be had at a reasonable price. I give it 5 stars.





Mike Woitowicz
The Banjo Barons Ragtime Band
The Dixie Barons Dixieland Band
Solo Banjo Shows
www.banjomusic.biz