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One of the many "Bix cars"
exhibiting vehicles from "the jazz age." This one must have
been very much like the one in which Bix allegedly rode to his last
"gig."
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One of the many "Bix cars"
exhibiting vehicles from "the jazz age." This one must have
been very much like the one in which Bix allegedly rode to his last
"gig."
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The Bix Beiderbecke Memorial
created by the people of Davenport in memory to the legendary Bix.
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As most traditional jazz fans know, Leon Bix Beiderbecke
(b.1903 - d. 1931) was a eminent jazz cornetest in the 1920s - the heyday
of traditional American jazz! There are many legends about Bix's short
life and his untimely death (you might want to check out the Bix website).
Bix's hometown was Davenport, IA.
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In Search
of Sherlock Holmes |
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Because
of the fantastic success of the Sherlock Holmes and all that Jazz
gathering in New Orleans (click here to visit),
last spring, your hosts here at Classic Specialties have been searching
diligently for events and venues for a possible subsequent gathering of
Sherlock Holmes fans who are also Jazz fans. Please, if you will, browse
through this site page and join us, at least vicariously, as we pursue
our quest!
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First,
Davenport, Iowa! There are many good reasons to visit the lovely town of Davenport, IA, but foremost among these is the annual Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival! This year's Festival featured eleven different traditional jazz bands and four performance venues! |
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The welcoming banner at LeClaire
park on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River - just one of the
performance venues at the 2002 Bix Beiderbecke Jazz Festival!
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Bill Allred's Jazz Band, from
Orlando Florida, play at LeClaire Park.
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The Col Ballroom - a venue where
Bix actually played.
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Josh Duffee and his Orchestra,
on stage at The Col, take a musical trip back to the age of jazz, flappers
and ballroom dancing .
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The Fulton Street Jazz Band, from
California, do a midnight performance at The Danceland Ballroom, another
Davenport spot where Bix actually played in the 20s.
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St. Louis's famous Cornet
Chop Suey band plays an private gig at Davenport's "Rusty Nail"
restaurant. These guys played a two-hour gig here and then played another
four hours in the evening and they never loaf!.
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The house in which Bix grew up.
The Festival provides facilities for tours of Davenport and one of the
favorite stops for attendees is at 1934 Grand Ave.
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The parade of vintage automobiles
leading the entourage to Oakdale Cemetery, the location of Bix's final
resting place.
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One of the memorable occasions
at The Festival is the musical eulogy held on Sunday morning at Bix's
grave site. Here The New Wolverines (all the way from Australia!) prepare
to honor Bix's memory with a musical salute.
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Leon Bix Beiderbecke |
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So, we are seeking interest from folks who think they might like to join other Sherlock Holmes Jazz fans for a "Sherlock Holmes and all that Jazz - II" gathering. We have no definite plans at present because it all depends on how many Sherlockians want to participate, but it if SHAATJ-II happens it will be somewhere in the eastern US in the summer of 2003. If you feel you might be interested, at least in being kept informed, just e-mail us, give us your name, address and your edress - we will keep you informed! In the meantime, please check out our next jazz page.
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