The legendary Bee Palmer. There are cemeteries full of guys who fell for Bee Palmer. And this came from Steve Brown...hmmm. By the way, Steve was born in 1890. He was 13 years older than Bix!
Let's see - 2 Teagardens, Bill Rank, Goldie, Fulton. Nat...I guess all the good guys couldn't make it!
Tram on Bass Sax? I'm sure he could play one. Did he ever record with it?
DID YOU KNOW? That Shortly after the death of George Johnson of Wolverine fame, a "researcher" went to visit his widow. When he saw the huge scrapbook bursting with everything from his Wolverine days, he talked her into lending it him to have copies made. He never intended to bring it back, and it took two years before he did. And what was returned to her had been stripped almost empty, with the exception of a few duplicates. And he tried to claim that was all that was in there. Even Hoagy called this guy a liar, he knew George's scrapbook well. What is it about Bix that inspires this sort of thing? It's been going on like this for over 70 years now! A hundred years from now there will still be some wing-nut out there proclaiming himself the "King" of everything Beiderbecke. They too shall turn to dust. The only immortal is Bix himself. That's one fact about Bix that cannot be changed no matter what they make up or proclaim to know. And many of these fools, if they ever make it to the "other side", will have a hell of a lot of explaining to do to Bix and his family!
For those of you who are fans of Frank Trumbauer, the latest Kazoo Lips release of Tram on the Radio is now available. In the first part of the CD, Tram recalls his days with Bix, and plays recordings from his own collection. The second half is a Mid-30's broadcast of Trams Orch, featuring Mannie Klein! Click here for a sample of Tram recalling Bix.
Click Here to listen to Tram talking about Bix.
The Midway Gardens Orchestra - Looks like these boys are ready to do some damage!
DID YOU KNOW? - That Phil Evans believed that many people do not want to know the true life story of Bix Beiderbecke? The 1974 book created an image of Bix that's set in everybody's mind. The story was very well written, no doubt. It also has created an industry for some who will go to any length to denounce any change to this story. R. Sudhalter went as far to claim that there were "Secret Files" in Phil Evans collection that would prove the absurd stories he kept cranking out! There have never been any "Secret Files" on Bix Beiderbecke in this collection...EVER!. And when I found another 30 boxes of research last spring, Linda Evans said that if anything of a sensitive nature turned up, to use it anyway. "Everybody is dead now, including Phil. So what difference does it make?" is exactly what she said. And she made me promise not to hold anything back, not that I would even consider doing that....ever. The truth is there's nothing to hide! Bix's only problem besides drinking was B.O. And the few folks who mention this, did not want to be quoted. So I guess he had to make up something to keep the myth going, which in turn would keep him working. R. Sudhalter NEVER saw a thing in Phil Evans collection other than what was shown to him. Secret Files IS a good one, granted. And it worked! There are even a few idiots out there that STILL want to believe it to be true!! But I still like the whole "Please Father! Don't hate me! Don't send me away." drama. Then to claim that anyone who says that this isn't true, is just part of the cover-up! Close to perfect! He forgot that Phil saved every letter and scrap of paper ever sent to him. Talk about a paper trail!
Tram on his horse. His horse was named Joe. Joe was famous for biting the hell out of anyone who came within biting distance.
Everybody knows (except Ken Burns perhaps) that Tram was the major influence of Lester Young. Notice the angle Tram is holding his Sax? Another sax player who mentioned that he really enjoyed the way Tram played was...Charlie Parker!
IF Babe Ruth were alive today he'd be buying rare jazz Cd's from Kazoo Lips. And if they're good enough for The Babe...And he was a pal of Bix! Say...No...More!
