bix beiderbecke
Bix Beiderbecke
(2007 INDUCTEE) IN 1924, GROUNDBREAKING JAZZ CORNETIST BIX BEIDERBECKE MADE HIS FIRST RECORDINGS IN RICHMOND FOR THE GENNETT LABEL AS A MEMBER OF THE WOLVERINE ORCHESTRA.
Medallion Donation: DONATED IN MEMORY OF HENRY GENNETT MARTIN, FIFTH PRESIDENT OF STARR PIANO INC., BY HIS WIFE, LAUREL
Leon “Bix” Beiderbecke of Davenport, Iowa, is remembered today for his talent and influence as a jazz cornetist. Bix made his first recordings in Richmond for the Gennett label as a member of the Wolverine Orchestra. Although Bix’s last Gennett session with the Wolverines was in October of 1924, he recorded for the label again as a member of the Sioux City Six, a pick-up band, later that month. Bix’s final recording for the Gennett label was in January, 1925, with another pick-up band called Bix and his Rhythm Jugglers. Many jazz historians credit Beiderbecke with an influence on early jazz cornet playing as important as that of Louis Armstrong.