Bix Beiderbecke: Jazz Age Genius (Masters of Music) [Library Binding]

David R. Collins (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Series: Masters of Music

A biography of the cornet player from Davenport, Iowa, who helped raise jazz to a respected musical form and who was inducted into the International Jazz Hall of Fame in 1997.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-This easy-to-read biography introduces one of the true legends of jazz who died at age 28 in 1931. Beiderbecke is one of those musical figures often alluded to in hushed, awed tones. Not a jazz superstar like Louis Armstrong, or band leader like Duke Ellington, he is to jazz what Robert Johnson is to the blues-a blazing demonic force that flared up and then suddenly burned out. Collins's writing is clear, if a bit bland, but the story of Beiderbecke's emergence as a genius of jazz is fascinating reading. Music students, jazz fans, and anyone interested in one of the glimmering sidelights of the '20s should find this story compelling. The full-page, black-and-white photos are well chosen, although sometimes quite grainy, and present many of the prominent figures of the age. Richard Sudhalter's Bix (Arlington House, 1974; o.p.) and Ralph Berton's Remembering Bix (Harper, 1974; o.p.) are more in-depth, but if you want a biography that will work for young readers and music fans alike, give this one a try.
Herman Sutter, Saint Pius X High School, Houston, TX
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"With well-selected details, Collins depicts the bright and the dark elements of Bix's character in crisp, concise language." -- ALA Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 112 pages
• Publisher: Morgan Reynolds Publishing; 1st edition (June 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883846366
• ISBN-13: 978-1883846367
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,190,977 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very well done, November 25, 1999

By 

C. Beiderbecke (Moline, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bix Beiderbecke: Jazz Age Genius (Masters of Music) (Library Binding)

An excellent book for it's format, which is aimed at younger readers. It is full of the relevant information on Bix and very well written. The reader will come away with a good picture of the too short life of this brilliant young man.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Extraordinary Biography about an Extraordinary Man, September 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bix Beiderbecke: Jazz Age Genius (Masters of Music) (Library Binding)

I grew up in the Quad Cities. therefore I grew up hearing about Bix Beiderbecke, the piano and cornet player from Davenport, Iowa. I always wanted to know more about him, both as a man and a musician. I bought this book even though I knew it was for high school students. It was just what I wanted because it gave me an in-depth look at an extraordinary person. I now understand why the people of my area showed so much attention to Bix Beiderbecke.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bix Beiderbecke - A Story of Triumph and Tragedy, September 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bix Beiderbecke: Jazz Age Genius (Masters of Music) (Library Binding)

Bix Beiderbecke was from Davenport, Iowa, along the Mississippi River. He was a child prodigy on the piano, moving on to the cornet. He could play anything he heard, although he never learned to read music. For ten years, he dazzled the world of jazz music. Then, at 28, he died. There is no telling what he could have been had he lived. This book, although written for young readers, is a fine biography for any age. There are lots of pictures too!