Alex,
Don't shoot the messenger! Along that line, I have a documentary on BG wherein his daughter Rachel tells the interviewer that one evening she found her father sitting on the floor with his clarinet, and surrounded by dozens of reeds, trying to find one that would suit his needs. I agree: there is no perfect reed, only one that is suitable for the occasion.
If you refer to the YouTube Orchestra, they are indeed talented.
In conclusion, I think that in the case of Bix, "genius" can be applied unequivocally.
Jim