Thanks to
Seattle bassist Bren Plummer for calling our attention to a short video of trumpeter Jon Faddis getting acquainted with Bix Beiderbecke’s horn. Beiderbecke (1903-1931) was second only to his friend Louis Armstrong as an influence on the development of jazz trumpet style in the 1920s and 1930s. Three years ago, Faddis was a guest artist of Quad City Arts in Rock Island, Illinois. The staff removed Bix’s horn from a display and handed it to Faddis.
Let’s listen to Beiderbecke on cornet in “I’m Coming Virginia†from 1927. Following his glorious solo, Bix’s tag ending is one of the most quoted phrases in jazz.
Give the sidemen some. They were Bill Rank, trombone; Don Murray, tenor saxophone and arranger; Frankie Trumbauer, C-melody saxophone; Irving “Itzy†Riskin, piano; Howdy Quicksell, banjo; Chauncey Morehouse, drums. The performance is included in this album.