Live Music
In true Bix Fest style, we have gone to lengths to hire excellent professional musicians that not only can perform authentic hot jazz and early swing music, but also breathe life into and have fun with it! We hope that you will join us in March 2027 to enjoy this wonderful lineup including…
The Chicago Cellar Boys
Comprised of several Chicago natives, most of whom are Tribute to Bix regulars from back in the day, the Chicago Cellar Boys make it their mission to present some of the most authentic 1920s and '30s hot jazz and dance band music, transcribed straight from original 78rpm discs of the era. And they pull it off, too! We are so excited to welcome them back to the Fest and look forward to what they have prepared for our listening - and dancing - enjoyment!
Troubadours of Rhythm
This hard stomping group from up Milwaukee way is led by Jon Mroz, bassist extraordinaire, and is hard-core vintage with all of the trimmings. You just try to dress sharper than these cats! Featuring a special emphasis on hokum and blues numbers, the Troubadours highlight some wild, but seldom heard and appreciated, music of the Jazz Age.
Swing Chevron
A direct offshoot of the string jazz work pioneered by Eddie South, Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang was the hot music of Europe made famous by Django Reinhardt, Joseph Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelly. Allen Russell, violinist, revives this swinging subgenre with all of the vigor of 1930s Paris, thoroughly blended with original compositions and old favorites brought to life.
Mike Davis
Mike Davis graces the stage this year with his terrific charts written for his sensational band, the New Wonders. Mike’s been whooping it up on trumpet ever since he was a young lad and is today the toast of New York’s trad jazz scene. No stranger to the Tribute to Bix Fests of old, we are thrilled to come full circle and hear what he brings to Wisconsin now after seven years.
Josh Duffee
Visiting from Bix’s old stomping grounds of Davenport, Iowa is Josh Duffee, legendary percussionist and bandleader in the vintage jazz scene. When he’s not trotting out toe-tapping tempos, he’s transcribing full big band charts that are seldom heard and rarely performed with the panache of his Graystone Monarchs Orchestra, an homage to the glorious early big bands of the 1920s and ‘30s.
The Saint Louis Contingent
If you’ve ever fallen on your “yas yas yas,” you’ll get just the pick-me-up you need with Miss Jubilee and members of the Yas Yas Boys who will be bringing the barrel house sound of St. Louis to A Tribute to Bix Fest. They are Valerie Jo Kirchhoff (vocals), Ethan Leinwand (piano) and T.J. Muller (banjo, trumpet, trombone). HOT STUFF!
Two Daves
This event may wind up becoming a tribute to Daves!
Chicago’s own Dave Bock holds it down on the bass, a veteran of the Chicago vintage jazz scene and just getting started, having played with the Fat Babies, Cellar Boys, Riley and the Red Hots and many more!
David Boeddinghaus, a longtime resident of jazz’s hometown of New Orleans, returns to A Tribute to Bix Fest with his magnificent piano playing, with every bit of the masters’ magic and more. No one brings the magic of Jelly Roll Morton to film, television, record and radio like David!
Andrew Oliver
A man who has performed ALL of Jelly Roll Morton’s known compositions (wow), Mr. Oliver from the West Coast brings an energetic approach to some of the world’s finest piano charts. We are thrilled to have Andrew join our roster for 2027, stopping by during what is sure to be a busy year of performing world wide in not only jazz circles, but also historic tango music!
The Talented Mr. Tolentino
Were you fresh out of hot accordion music? Matt Tolentino is the medicine man for your blues! Our suave sultan of the squeezebox - and also piano and reeds - lays down his unique hot music from Cincinnati. Matt’s perhaps most widely known for his band formed nearly 20 years ago, the Singapore Slingers, who have a unique repertoire of music ranging all of the way from 1895 to 1935!
