Do You Like Hot Jazz & Bass Sax? Then You’ll Love Bixology

My colleague from Germany, sax historian, author, repair tech, studio owner, and of course professional player, Uwe Ladwig, has been involved in a fantastic project for over a year now. And for over a year now I’ve been meaning to write about it. My bad… I’m so sorry Uwe… 😳

Uwe is the leader of Bixology, a trio of incredibly talented musicians who play the music of Bix Beiderbecke. Beiderbecke was an American cornetist and composer who was one of the most influential jazz soloists of the roaring 20s.

However, Bixology isn’t a cover band. The arrangements that Uwe and his band mate—cornet player Helmut Dold—put together are unique, while still maintaining Beiderbecke’s style.

This is how Bixology describes the music they play, and the history behind it:

The cornettist, Bix Beiderbecke (1903-1931), only lived to 28 years of age yet left an important and lasting effect on the jazz-world during his active years as a musician. He is considered to be the first Bebopper although that expression was not yet thought of during the time he lived. BIXOLOGY plays the music of Bix, in his style, without simply copying it. Comprised of cornett, guitar and the rarely played bass sax, and dressed in the fashion of those days, the trio takes you back to the style of jazz from Chicago and Detroit – back to the Jazz of the roaring 20s.

Source: Bixology Band page

I picked 2 videos which I thought showed an interesting contrast in styles. The first, Clementine, is a slower tempo.

The second, Clarinet Marmelade, is quite a bit faster, and really gives Uwe a workout. His bass sax skills really shine on this one I think.

Notice Uwe is playing a vintage bass. Until a little over a year ago Uwe played a J. Keilwerth bass saxophone. If you look through their website you’ll see the JK in some of their band shots.

Last time I heard, his JK was for sale. Too bad I don’t live closer, I might be tempted to sell my Buescher, and buy Uwe’s JK.

Speaking of buying, after you’ve poked around the band’s site and checked out their extensive videos, if you would like to order your own copy of The Jazz of Bix Beiderbecke, Vol I, or The Spirit Of Bix Beiderbecke, Vol. II, drop them an email through their CD ordering page. And yes, you can write to them in English.

I have had a copy of Vol I since last December. It is a great album, and a must have for any lover of bass saxophones, hot jazz, and/or Bix Beiderbecke.

Bixology has done an amazing job in taking us back to the roaring 20s, when the bass sax was much more than a dust-covered, behemoth of a curiosity. It was the anchor. It was what held the group together. And Uwe shows us just how it was done nearly 100 years ago.