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Bix Museum Ready to Open

WVIK News
one of the exhibits at the new Bix Museum
Credit WVIK News
the entrance to the Bix Beiderbecke Museum

Years of hoping, planning, and raising money have finally paid off for fans of jazz legend and Davenport native, Bix Beiderbecke. A ribbon cutting was held Friday afternoon for the new Bix Beiderbecke Museum, in the River Music Experience.

Howard Braren, co-chair of the museum campaign, says he and other fans of Bix have worked for a long time on this project.

"Finally Bix is being recognized his hometown for his talent and treasure - that he's an icon worldwide today even. His music is revered worldwide."

Items in the museum include Bix's cornet and his piano, plus posters, videos, and other exhibits.  

He was born in Davenport in 1903, and became an influential jazz soloist in the 1920's. But he died, only at the age of 28, in 1931.

The Bix Museum will not officially open to the public until August 3rd.  

A native of Detroit, Herb Trix began his radio career as a country-western disc jockey in Roswell, New Mexico (“KRSY, your superkicker in the Pecos Valley”), in 1978. After a stint at an oldies station in Topeka, Kansas (imagine getting paid to play “Louie Louie” and “Great Balls of Fire”), he wormed his way into news, first in Topeka, and then in Freeport Illinois.