Bix: The Leon Bix Beiderbecke Story [Paperback]

Philip R. Evans (Author), Linda K. Evans (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 600 pages
• Publisher: Prelike Pr (July 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966544803
• ISBN-13: 978-0966544800
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 6.9 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,103,039 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Without doubt, the most complete & authoritative work on Bix, September 16, 1999

By 

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

This review is from: Bix: The Leon Bix Beiderbecke Story (Paperback)

This work is the result of decades of dedicated and exhaustive work by Phil Evans and his wife and will stand as the finest work on Bix. Phil's previous work was used extensively in the Sudhalter book, and this work is the result of all of that plus an extrordinary amount of newly discovered material, includeing many letters from Bix himself. Many previously unseen photos as well. Phil recently passed away, and I am eternally grateful to him for producing this excellent book on my great-uncle. If you could only have one book on Bix, this should be it!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the definitive work on America's great jazz legend., March 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bix: The Leon Bix Beiderbecke Story (Paperback)

If you love Bix, you'll love this book. It out classes all other efforts in the field. The research was exhaustive and directed toward getting the truest picture possible of our #1 jazz legend. The text is a bit broken up by the intrusion of quotations from sources, but that is the price of authenticity. For those who know and love Bix's music, the book is a must. For those who don't know his music, the book should make the reader curious enough to listen to him. I cannot recommedn it too highly.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Most exhaustive Bix bio yet written, August 21, 2001

By 

Megan C. Tansen (Vancouver, B.C. Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bix: The Leon Bix Beiderbecke Story (Paperback)

If for only containing all the survivng Beiderbecke letters, this book would be worth it. How much light they shed upon this enigmatic jazz musician is another story. After all would you write home: "Dear mom, am rinsing my mouth with gin every morning. Living in flop-house. Unemployed. Playing music which won't be appreciated for at least twenty years"? Letters to other musicians concern mainly pay scales, gig dates etc. All of the touring information and band personel is listed in great detail. Discography is exhaustive too although the inclusion of the songs appearances on LP "Sincerely, Bix Beiderbecke" and CD "Bix Restored" (there have been dozens if not hundreds of Bix LP and CD reissues over the years) along with original 78RPM issue information is kind of a mystery. Photos are of mixed quality even taking into account their age (better prints of some photos can be found in Frank Driggs' "Black Beauty White Heat")and are rather dark or "bleached out". However, this is most photos of Bix I've seen in a single book and many I've never seen before. Bix fans are sure to find out things (particularly with regard to set lists) that they didn't know before but for those seeking a warmer portrait I would reccomend Mezz Mezzrow's "Really the Blues" or Ralph Berton's "Remembering Bix".