I am pretty sure that a lot of what you are looking for is available in ....

.... http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=%22smith%20ballew%22

I would start with the 1931 recordings. Bix moved with Rex Gavitte (the string bass player for Smith Ballew's band) and his wife on June 12, 1931.

Also a few in   http://www.jazz-on-line.com/pageinterrogation.php   search for "Smith Ballew"

Good idea.

Albert