Thanks entirely to the dedication and sincerity of Albert Haim and his immense web site, I have this opportunity to express my concerns and opinions regarding allegations made by persons claiming inside information about Bix Beiderbecke which do not hold up. In this first instalment, I wish to present my case as it relates to Indiana songwriter/musician Charlie Davis. Bix fans know of Davis after seeing the Berman CBC documentary entitled Bix. Aint None of Them Play Like him Yet. (Playboy Jazz DVD PBV 9043)
CLOUDY.
In the filmed interview, Davis, while reminiscing about his brief encounters in 1924 with Bix and the Wolverines, remembers the following: I remember Bix played (piano) a tune I had never heard, before or since, but I recorded it in my own mind. I remember he was a great man to play on the black keys. He was a black key man
Sorry Charlie but Bix was anything BUT a black key man. That fact was clearly established while Bix was alive. He played piano in C and F, as other self-taught players prefer or are most familiar. All of Bixs piano pieces are in concert C. He recorded For No Reason At All In C with Trumbauer and Lang. There was a very good reason: Bixs limitation at the piano.
Cloudy a nostalgic piece made up of a simple melody and block chords has no typical Bixian runs or extended or impressionistic chords so associated with Bix. Nor did anyone with whom I knew and consulted ever hear this piece until Daviss on camera rendition.
That Charlie Davis should have been nominated for an Academy Award for his performance does have merit, in my opinion. During the years 1973-92, I was in failry close company with the following men who were associated with Bix during his brief life. They were Bill Challis, Paul Mertz, Bill Priestley, Esten Spurrier, Bill Rank. Other fellow contemporary Bixians were Edwin Squirrel Ashcraft, James Rosy McHargue, Joe Rushton, with whom I shared the passion. Researcher friends have included Philip Evans and Norman Gentieu. Not one of the guys who viewed and heard Davis perform, thought Cloudy was Bixs composition nor did anyone hear Bix play a piece resembling Daviss rendition for the documentary. That Charlie wanted to be remembered as a Bix sympathizer is obvious and the film gave him his last moment in the sun and opportunity for immortality along with Bix. Sorry again Charlie.
Regarding Daviss claim about Bix having several tones and that the girls liked his dirty tone, give me a break! Listen to anything Bix recorded and tell me when you hear anything except that clear sound that only Bix got, even when he had to play into a mute. Incidentally, the above film rendition of Cloudy is played in concert Db, a key which Bix and most other self taught and limited pianists would stay away from at all costs.
My concerns are that Charlie Daviss claims have already been accepted as fact and recorded by sincere and wonderful musicians as a further tribute to dear Bix.
The late biographer/author Philip Evans devoted many early years of his fact-finding research into disproving and dispelling the many absurd rumors that had surfaced since Bixs death. Now, I feel a duty and a need to speak out on suspect matters of conjecture and claims related to the legend of Bix.
My next instalment of In A Myth will deal with Joe Venutis 50-year secret recollection of his collaboration with Bix on their so-called composition Betcha I Getcha.
Uploaded July 5, 2004
My opinion is that "Cloudy" was Not written by Bix.