About this product

Product Identifiers

PublisherBloomsbury Publishing

ISBN-100826416993

ISBN-139780826416995

eBay Product ID (ePID)44585448

Product Key Features

Original LanguageFrench

Book TitleBix : the Definitive Biography of Jazz Legend Leon "Bix" Beiderbecke

Number of Pages368 Pages

LanguageEnglish

TopicComposers & Musicians

Publication Year2005

IllustratorYes

GenreBiography & Autobiography

AuthorJean Pierre Lion

FormatHardcover

Dimensions

Item Height1 in

Item Weight28.1 Oz

Item Length8.7 in

Item Width7.4 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceTrade

LCCN2005-010509

Dewey Edition22

Reviews"As, for music, Jean Pierre Lion's Bix: The Definitive Biography of a JazzLegend is a superior piece of biography that tells the sad story of jazzpioneer Bix Beiderbecke skillfully and sensitively." nationalreview.com, December 2005, [Lion's] style is elegant and inventive; his point is clear and perfectly framed by his patient study of the colossal documentation of Bix's life .The book comes alive through its intimate connection with one of the most fascinating characters in jazz history.---Frank Bergerot for Jazzman (French jazz magazine), Bix is an exemplary piece of workâ€¦[Lion] has exploded numerous myths that long ago crept into the Beiderbecke literature, replacing them with a factually trustworthy account of the cornetist's life."- Commentary, September, 2005, This engrossing book, organized around a succession of significant dates and complete with an excellent discography, concentrates as it should on the narrative of a life in music..."- The Times Literary Supplement, November 25, 2005, Jean Pierre Lion's work goes beyond mere biography. It examines the birth of jazz from historical and contemporary perspectives....it will serve as the point of reference for those seeking to understand the genesis of this music.--Olivier Kociubinska for Jazz Notes (French magazine), The learned and loving book that Jean-Pierre Lion dedicates to Bix takes its place as the biography of reference.---Michael Contat for Le Monde (French newspaper), [Lion's] style is elegant and inventive; his point is clear and perfectly framed by his patient study of the colossal documentation of Bix's lifeâ€¦.The book comes alive through its intimate connection with one of the most fascinating characters in jazz history.--Frank Bergerot for Jazzman (French jazz magazine), "This biography is certainly the most comprehensive, well-balanced view of Beiderbecke to date, and it may even prove to be the "definitive" biography it claims for itself... Lion did a remarkable research job and his chronological account, sometimes going day-by-day, puts to rest several Beiderbecke myths. He describes Beiderbecke's performances and compositions in a straightforward and clear manner... Since Beiderbecke's place among the giants of jazz has never been disputed, this fine biography is overdue and welcome. Summing up: Essential. All readers; all levels."- Choice, March 2006, Bix is an exemplary piece of work [Lion] has exploded numerous myths that long ago crept into the Beiderbecke literature, replacing them with a factually trustworthy account of the cornetist's life."-- Commentary, September, 2005, Jean Pierre Lion's work goes beyond mere biography. It examines the birth of jazz from historical and contemporary perspectivesâ€¦.it will serve as the point of reference for those seeking to understand the genesis of this music.--Olivier Kociubinska for Jazz Notes (French magazine), Teeming with anecdotes and historical records, this biography, enhanced by several appendices and a complete discography, reads like a captivating novel.--Le Quotidien (French newspaper), Jean Pierre Lion's work goes beyond mere biography. It examines the birth of jazz from historical and contemporary perspectives .it will serve as the point of reference for those seeking to understand the genesis of this music.---Olivier Kociubinska for Jazz Notes (French magazine), Teeming with anecdotes and historical records, this biography, enhanced by several appendices and a complete discography, reads like a captivating novel.---Le Quotidien (French newspaper), [Lion's style is elegant and inventive; his point is clear and perfectly framed by his patient study of the colossal documentation of Bix's life....The book comes alive through its intimate connection with one of the most fascinating characters in jazz history.--Frank Bergerot for Jazzman (French jazz magazine), "In this book, assiduously researched and cross-checked, [Jean Pierre Lion] has written what may truly be referred to as a 'definitive' biography...This book is by no means a rehash of previously published information. It can stand alone as a new work, intelligently organized and written with perception. Lion has a deep understanding of musicians, their work patterns, and their unique problems. When he discusses a particular performance on record, it takes little imagination to place one's self in the studio, witnessing the give-and-take of the players and the exhilaration of having made a superior 'take.' Lion, a true historian, deals with facts, and refrains from listing many recordings which have passages that 'sound like Bix,' but cannot be authenticated. Discographies are by their nature works in progress, but this book could be the last word on the great cornetist's life. Highly recommended."- The Mississippi Rag, March 2006, I have received the English translation of your book, and I am enchanted ! You have done an incroyable job ( I lapse into French sometimes when excited !). Really, I had thought that after the Sudhalter-Evans book there would not need to be any further exploration of Bix's life, but I was wrong. I never have seen the late Phil Evans' last book but heard that it is not more than a "catch-up" work, including material that never got into the other book, almost like a scrapbook. Your book, of course, puts this material and more,including photos of so many locations we have not all seen, into a sensible order and fills in the gaps that remained unknown. Thank you. I feel grateful to be included in it. -Duncan Schiedt, author of Ain't Misbehavin (biography of Fats Waller), The learned and loving book that Jean-Pierre Lion dedicates to Bix takes its place as the biography of reference.--Michael Contat for Le Monde (French newspaper), "Jean Pierre Lion's new biography of the enigmatic jazz legend succeeds on nearly every level. Lion was able to gather facts from the other Beirderbecke biographies as well as a myriad of other sources and tell the story in a readable, entertaining, and most important of all, objective manner. Lion not only tells Beirderbecke's story, he puts it into context.... Lion's work amazingly does not come off as a fan's book. Instead it paints as full a portrait of Bix as we have had, letting the reader decide for himself as to his motivations, influences, feelings, and tendencies. The book can be described as 'a page turner' one that you cannot put down, and one you regret finishing." -ARSC Journal Book Reviews, I have received the English translation of your book, and I am enchanted ! You have done an incroyable job ( I lapse into French sometimes when excited !). Really, I had thought that after the Sudhalter-Evans book there would not need to be any further exploration of Bix's life, but I was wrong. I never have seen the late Phil Evans' last book but heard that it is not more than a "catch-up" work, including material that never got into the other book, almost like a scrapbook. Your book, of course, puts this material and more,including photos of so many locations we have not all seen, into a sensible order and fills in the gaps that remained unknown. Thank you. I feel grateful to be included in it. --Duncan Schiedt, author of Ain't Misbehavin (biography of Fats Waller)

Dewey Decimal788.9/6165/092 B

Synopsis"You can tell the whole world: there "ll never be another Bix Beiderbecke. Take that from Satchmo! He was a born genius "--Louis ArmstrongBix Beiderbecke is one of jazz music "s most enigmatic figures, and he has captivated listeners since his career began in the 1920s. He died at just 28, leaving many loose ends and inspiring much speculation. This book aims to clarify many of the myths created bythe musician's premature death and the fictionalizations of Bix's life (three novels and a film: "Remembering Bix" by Ralph Berton, "1929" by Fredericks W. Turner, and "Young Man with a Horn" by Dorothy Baker, and the 1950 film of Baker's novel by Michael Curtiz), and to update his two prior biographies ("Bix, Man and Legend" being out of print for many years). French jazz scholar Jean Pierre Lion traveled the trajectory of Bix "s life, from birth to death, to boarding school, on tour and beyond, to find the true story of this pivotal figure.Considered a genius by his fans and fellow musicians, Bix Beiderbecke was a master cornet player, and one of the most inspiring white jazz musicians of his age. He drank heavily during Prohibition, and fell ill from the toxic swill he had been drinking. When he died he left behind a tremendous list of recordings (included here in a definitive discography) and several original compositions. This biography culls the entirety of Bix scholarship into one volume, painting a complete picture of the man, his music, and his times.Lion brings the true legend of Bix into historical context, underlining the importance of the jazz scene that Bix not only participated in, but also helped to establish. The originality of Bix "s style has roots in New Orleans jazz and such classical composers as Debussy and Ravel, and this biography traces the evolution of these various inspirations alongside the tale of the white cornet player. Historical ambience is created by descriptions of the Chicago of the 1920s â€œ ruled by Al Capone and peopled with fast cars, flappers and hot jazz musicians â€œ and Bix "s personality is fleshed out by excerpts from the few letters he wrote in his lifetime, and memories of friends and witnesses of the jazz-age. The story is lively and emotional, the testament of a true fan and a true scholar.>, This book is the product of many years of impassioned study. Bix Beiderbecke is one of jazz music's most enigmatic figures, and he has captivated listeners since his career began in the 1920s. He died at just 28, leaving many loose ends and inspiring much speculation. This book aims to clarify many of the myths created and the fictionalizations of Bix's life. French jazz scholar Jean Pierre Lion traveled the trajectory of Bix's life, from birth to death, to boarding school, on tour and beyond, to find the true story of this pivotal figure. Lion brings the true legend of Bix into historical context, underlining the importance of the jazz scene that Bix not only participated in, but also helped to establish. The originality of Bix's style has roots in New Orleans jazz and such classical composers as Debussy and Ravel, and this biography traces the evolution of these various inspirations alongside the tale of the white cornet player. ruled by Al Capone and peopled with fast cars, flappers and hot jazz musicians - and Bix's personality is fleshed out by the inclusion of text from the 21 letters he wrote in his lifetime. The story is lively and emotional, the testament of a true fan and a true scholar.

LC Classification NumberML419.B25