Davenport, Iowa - Nov. 17, 2015 - The long-planned Bix Beiderbecke Museum will make its home at the River Music Experience (RME) in the Redstone Building in downtown Davenport, Iowa, the two organizations announced today.
The RME and the Bix Beiderbecke Museum & World Archives, LTD have signed an option for nearly 1,500 square feet of exhibit and archival space in the lower level of the building. For over half a century, dedicated fans have dreamed of a permanent museum and archive to preserve the memory of Bix and his music. When the exhibit opens, visitors will be able to see original instruments played by Bix and his fellow musicians, listen to recorded interviews with people who knew Bix, and hear some of the music he made famous.
The Bechtel Charitable Trusts in Davenport have generously committed the lead gift of $100,000, out of a projected $625,000 needed for exhibit design and construction. In making the commitment, Trustee R. Richard Bittner said, "Bechtel Trusts are pleased to participate in honoring Bix Beiderbecke, a composer, a cornetist and a pianist, and one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time."
Board members have pledged $68,000, along with other initial donors who have committed an additional $100,000. The Museum is also seeking funds to establish an endowment of at least $250,000. Donors will have the opportunity to have their names featured in the exhibit hall, which should begin construction late in 2016.
A core group of leading Bix historians and experts will meet in Davenport the weekend of November 20-21, 2015, to refine plans for the exhibit hall and examine the important artifacts that have been purchased or donated.
Among these are family photographs and objects from the Beiderbecke family purchased from Elizabeth Beiderbecke-Hart, and a vast collection of correspondence and recorded interviews with Bix's friends and fellow musicians, purchased from musician and jazz historian Scott Black. This collection, the life's work of Phil and Linda Evans, is comprised of about 40 boxes of rare historical material that will eventually be available to researchers. Evans' books "Bix: the Leon Bix Beiderbecke Story" and "Bix, Man and Legend" (with Richard Sudhalter) are based on material from this collection.
General chairs for the Bix Museum campaign are Howard Braren, Rock Island, Ill., family member and retired fundraising consultant; and Randy Sandke, Shohola, Penn., jazz musician and Bix authority. Honorary chairs are George Avakian, record producer and jazz historian; Hoagy Bix Carmichael; Dick Hyman, pianist and composer; Dan Morgenstern, Director Emeritus of the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies; Vince Giordano, Grammy-winning bandleader and jazz historian; and David Sager, archivist, Library of Congress National Jukebox.
The River Music Experience (129 N. Main St. in Davenport, Iowa) exists to give Quad-Cities residents and visitors opportunities to experience America's music, and most especially the music of the Mississippi River, through live music performances and programs which nurture, educate and inspire musicians, and music appreciators.
www.rivermusicexperience.org
