In jazz circles, Bix Biederbecke is still spoken about in revered tones and his
short life has been the subject of numerous books, TV dramas and films. The
young cornet player from Davenport, Iowa had an influence on jazz out of all
proportion to the length of his playing career. Tragically, during his life he
was barely known outside the tight circle of jazz musicians with whom he
interacted, and it was only after his death that his extraordinary talent was
recognised by a wider audience.
After being expelled from the exclusive Forest Lake Academy in Illinois for a
variety ...