On the Iowa side you have a the Bix 7 Memorial Race and Jazz Festival, founded in 1975 in honor of Davenport native Bix Beiderbecke. On the Illinois side of the river in Moline, there's the newer, upstart Louie Bellson Mermorial Race coming up later this month.
For those who aren't familiar, Bix Beiderbecke was an early jazz innovator of the 1920's. As early as high school, he got his start playing with the riverboat bands that helped make the Mississippi River corridor the birthplace of American roots musical styles; jazz, blues, soul, and rock n' roll. He escaped Iowa, joining bands in Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit and eventually New York City. He died at age 28 in New York, probably due to a flu exacerbated by alcohol or drug abuse.
Ken Burns' Jazz documentary described him as one of the first white innovators who took the form in new directions rather than merely mimicking black musicians. Burns suggests that racial barriers of the time kept Bix from performing with his true musical peers, leaving him creatively stifled and personally troubled. He was well respected by musicians in his time but became famous years after his passing in novels as an archetype of the tragic jazz genius.
Louie Bellson's story is very different. He was born in Illinois and graduated from Moline High School in 1939. While watching bands, I've often thought it would be cool if drummers used two bass drums. Louie Bellson had that idea too and pioneered the technique as a teenager!
Bellson defied racial barriers, joining Duke Ellington's band in 1951. The Duke called him “not only the world’s greatest drummer...(but also) the world’s greatest musician.”
His drum solos are so good I'm surprised he didn't end each one by standing up and saying, "You're Welcome!" After playing with many of the greatest jazz legends, he spent years touring with his own band, The Louie Bellson explosion. He has been honored endlessly as a world class drummer, composer, band leader, and mentor.
Throughout his career he held drum clinics and tutorials across America. He still made it back home regularly to offer free sessions to students at Moline High School.
The Louie Bellson Memorial Drum Roll honors his tradition of supporting you musicians. Proceeds from the race go to support music education programs in Moline schools. You can register here for the race happening October 20th.
Of course, I hope people participate in both of the Quad Cities jazz races. Being an Illinois patriot, I'm biased toward the community minded drummer with a long, celebrated career over the Iowan who's remembered more for his legend than his music.
