I suppose not much disappoints me about the Bix phenomenon.

I get it - even those people trying to sanctify his memory by judiciously omitting details that don't chime in with the all American legend.

Beiderbecke site was hugely condemning of the the Berton book. Possibly they sensed danger, when hearing that Bix chose the company of a ten tear old boy. Knowing what they knew - and we didn't at the time.

The thing that really provoked their ire was the story that Bix had had an affair with drummer Vic Berton. Of coursr the book was published at a time whem gay love was a crime in England, and many other parts of the world.

I understand that the town of Davenport, and the Beiderbecke family family find the whole thing of trying to understand the past disquieting. Frankly theres not too much in the history of jazz music and musicians that makes for comfortable reading, or offers much hope for humanity.