On my bookshelves I have Bix Biederbecke by Burnett James which is Volume 4 (of 10) in the "Kings of Jazz" series published by Cassell of London. I have all the series and I bought this one in (gulp) 1959 when it was first published and I was still at school. It is written in a succinct and unsentimental style and remains the best book that I have ever read on one of my favourite musicians. It attempts a complete discography in the back but I know that there are many tracks missing from it.

In 2003 I was in the Museum of Jazz in New Orleans and I came across Bix's cornet in a glass case. I nearly went wild with delight! I was taking photos of it and whilst I was taking them, I was approached by a curator. I expected to be told off for taking photos but no, he asked me if I would like to handle it!

Would I!!!