Bix Beiderbecke Fabulousa Orch.

Bix Beiderbecke Fabulousa Orchestra-I'm Coming Virginia- recorded live at the "100 Years Bix Beiderbecke Concert Breda"-2003

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Music

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• Beiderbecke
• Bix

[lt059]

Generally am inclined to avoid other performers' versions of certain tunes I've always associated with Bix Beiderbecke: for instance - I'm Coming Virginia, Singin' The Blues, Royal Garden lues....Comparisons are almost inevitable and I don't like to make them.

That said, I did enjoy hearing this.

[jazzgirl1920s]

That is interesting because along a similar line I read once that Louis Armstrong wouldn't play or record Singin' The Blues. I think I also read that Eddie Condon said the recording of I'm Coming Virginia was closer to Bix that he heard than Singin' The Blues. Can anyone verify? When a musician today tries to play like or imitate Bix some find those musicians far short and won't listen to them. But since I can't hear Bix live I would like to hear someone who is close that I can hear in person.

[jazzgirl1920s]

So in the 1980's when I knew Paul Mertz and talked to him he told me that Tom Pletcher sounded closer to Bix's tone and the way Bix played than anyone else he had heard. I respected Paul Mertz's opinion because he was in the Goldkette band with Bix and heard him so many times. Mertz was also the pianist on the Bix Rhythm Jugglers session. I was able to hear Tom Pletcher with the Son's Of Bix at the Los Angeles Classic Jazz Festival in 1983. Judging by listening to Bix on records for 50 years...

[jazzgirl1920s]

I thought Tom Pletcher sounded remarkably close. But Paul Mertz had the advantage of hearing Bix in person and playing in a band Bix was in.

[jazzgirl1920s]

Of course you do and thanks for the explanation. I really like the videos on your page.

[jazzgirl1920s]

Yes, but when I tried to view the video at santopec's page of this recording I couldn't see it because got I the message "This video is private." I subscribed to his videos and I still couldn't see it because of that "this video is private message."

[santopec]

I understand and respect your point of view.

But there are more aspects to also take into account!

To give a few:

You can see this music as "classical" music and a tribute to the old masters.

It's very satisfying to play this musical milestones yourself, surrounded by musical friends with the same passion.

The acquaintance and concentration on a specific style is very instructive for the musical and technical development of an instrumentalist.

[MrJimmienoone]

Imitating other musicians is even more difficult than imitating oneself after one has played a real good solo. (Only Johnny Guarnieri and few others could.) 40 years ago I thought I could imitate Kid Ory as my trombone technique was better than his. The result. as heard on tape, was disheartening. Imitating somebody else`s solo is like imitating yesterday`s sex. It`s no point. You just HAVE TO add something new. This "Virginia" is like a rest of canned soup warmed up for the 4th or 5th time.

[punchsboy]

@jazzgirl1920s I read the same thing about Louis who probably did not believe that "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery". And I agree with Louis. I would like to know how it flatters a jazz musician to imitate him. And Bix said you can't play the same thing the same way twice--Bix's Law should be observed.

[GeminiNightOwl]

Bix Biederbecke Volume 1: Singin the Blues is available at Amazon for as little as 6.99 new. The album contains this song and so many others

[brutusbrutilda]

Does anyone know where this recording can be found on CD?