Voted "Best Book of 2004" and awarded the Prix Charles Delaunay by the French "Académie du Jazz"
[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) (Franck Bergerot for Jazzman (French jazz mag) )
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) (Michael Contat for Le Monde (French newspaper) )
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) (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) (Olivier Kociubinska for Jazz Notes (French mag) )
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 book delves deeply into the musician’s life.” –What’s Up, June 2005
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 (
Commentary )
'An engrossing book, organised around a succession of significant dates and complete with an excellent discopgraphy.'
(
Times Literary Supplement )
"As, for music, Jean Pierre Lion's
Bix: The Definitive Biography of a Jazz Legend is a superior piece of biography that tells the sad story of jazz pioneer Bix Beiderbecke skillfully and sensitively." —
nationalreview.com, December 2005
(nationalreview.com )
"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 (
Choice )
"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 (
The Mississippi Rag )
Nominated as a finalist for the 2006 Association for Recorded Sound Collections Awards for Excellence, Jazz Shortlist
(Finalists for the 2006 ARSC Awards for Excellence )
Voted "Best Book of 2004" and awarded the Prix Charles Delaunay by the French "Académie du Jazz"
“As, for music, Jean Pierre Lion’s
Bix: The Definitive Biography of a Jazz Legend is a superior piece of biography that tells the sad story of jazz pioneer Bix Beiderbecke skillfully and sensitively.” –
nationalreview.com, December 2005
(, )
“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 (
Choice )
“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 (, )
Nominated as a finalist for the 2006 Association for Recorded Sound Collections Awards for Excellence, Jazz Shortlist
(, )
