Bix 1991

Bryant Weeks plays American jazz cornetist Bix Beiderbecke in a richly detailed portrait of his life, tracing the personal tensions with family and the evolving web of collaborations that defined the 1920s jazz scene. The story threads through relationships with the era’s greats, including Hoagy Carmichael, Joe Venuti, Pee Wee Russell, Don Murray, and Paul Whiteman, with Romano Orzari delivering a memorable portrayal as Hoagy Carmichael, while Emile B. Levisetti brings Joe Venuti to life, Michael T. Henderson embodies Pee Wee Russell, and Matthew Buzzell steps into the role of Don Murray, grounding the narrative in a world of trumpet lines, violin bow strokes, and brass bright with the era’s energy. The film also nods to the legendary Paul Whiteman, sketching a broader musical landscape that shaped Bix’s ascent and the sound of a generation.

The film opens in October 1931 in New York City, two months after Bix Beiderbecke’s death. His brother, Mark Collver as Burnie, arrives in the city with a mission to locate Liza, the proposed fiancée of the deceased man. Burnie’s searches lead him to the Italian-American violinist Joe Venuti, a longtime friend and confidant who holds the key to the truth and the identity of the girl. Venuti, initially hesitant, agrees to help and reaches out to Liza, guiding her toward Bix’s hometown, Davenport, Iowa, in hopes of fulfilling the dying wishes of Bix’s mother, who yearns to meet the girl who meant so much to her son.

On the journey by train, it becomes clear that Liza never actually met Bix. Venuti uses the opportunity to recount not only how Bix came into contact with her, but also the brief, intense life of his friend, whom he had met somewhat by chance while pursuing an engagement with the Jean Goldkette orchestra. The narrative unfolds through a series of flashbacks that illuminate the rhythm and tempo of Bix’s world. It becomes evident that Bix could not read music and instead played by ear, a detail that underscores the immediacy and raw emotion of his playing. His breakthrough comes when he collaborates with the orchestra led by Frank Trumbauer, a figure with his own quirks who nonetheless becomes a protective mentor to Bix, helping him navigate the volatile waters of professional jazz life.

The film then traces how Bix’s talent blossomed in a landscape crowded with legendary names and ambitious ambitions. Through Trumbauer’s guidance and the momentum of the 1920s jazz revolution, Bix makes his mark, recording and performing with a sound that blends precise improvisation with intuitive, ear-driven intuition. The emotional thread of the story remains anchored in family dynamics, personal struggle, and the enduring bonds of friendship within the music community. Venuti’s recounting, and the memories shared by those who knew Bix, offer a portrait of a man whose life, though brilliant, was short, complicated, and deeply felt by those who loved his music.

The film culminates with Bix’s untimely death in 1931 in New York City, a moment that casts a poignant glow over the earlier memories. As the credits roll, photos of Bix and Liza in the Beiderbecke family home appear alongside images of his parents and family, a quiet testament to a life cut tragically short but forever echoing in the brass and melodies that defined an era.