Paul Whiteman Orchestra with Bix - "My Ohio Home" 1928 UNIQUE SYNCHRONISED VERSION

Newsreel clip from May 1928, describing how Paul Whiteman enters into a new recording contract with Columbia Records. On the stroke of twelve, Paul tears up his old contract with Victor. The band plays "My Ohio Home" which wasn't issued on record. Although Paul gives a synchronisation time cue by clapping his hand, previous versions of this film excerpt have always been out of sync after the cue. We have now made a perfect match of sound and picture, and zoomed in on Bix Beiderbecke when he stands up and plays in the brass ensemble passage. It turns out that Bix' embouchure was as unorthodox as his valve technique and that he played with puffed cheeks - something which was not known before the discovery of this footage. Although it has been claimed that Bix misses notes and/or plays some notes without puffed cheeks, it is now clear that in fact he is written into the score for only a few notes of the passage and that he deliberately skips notes. Every note he does play is with puffed cheeks. Also, in spite of contrary assertions, notably by the infamous self-appointed "Bix expert" Albert Haim, detailed research indicates that Bix possibly plays a Holton Clarke cornet here, rather than the Bach Stradivarius or a Conn Victor. That would stand to reason - the Holton Company had just presented new instruments to the entire Whiteman brass section. It seems that, in spite of his expensive purchase, Bix may not have liked the Bach because so far no photos are known of Bix actually playing or even holding it. Even today, Bix' Bach cornet is virtually unworn although a number of people have played it on occasion. There is a lively discussion going on about which horn Bix plays here - but it seems to be evident that it is not the Bach, which has a lateral stay between the lead-pipe and the bell, while this horn has a diagonal stay. For some reason everybody seems to miss this point, even in the latest analysis by several experts. However, this proves that the horn is NOT Bix Beiderbecke's Bach Stradivarius which is now in the Putnam Museum in Davenport, Iowa.
ADDENDUM - Further research has revealed that the horn is neither a Bach nor a Holton.

[@meliketrolleys]

We never would have known that Bix puffed his cheeks. Thanks Harry Oakley. Bix was my hero in 1952. I bought a cornet at a pawn shop because of him.

[@MARKMANIATT]

Absolutely spell binding.Bix in action.Does it get any better. Great.Now,find some film of Charlie Christian and my life will be complete!!

[@wayneengle4473]

That's probably the only existing movie film that shows Bix Beiderbecke. What a shame he didn't get more attention, and preserved performances, during his tragically short life.

[@raanangeberer1903]

There also a silent movie of Bix with the Goldkette orchestra when they're taking a break from performing.

[@JamesIrwins78s]

Great to see Bix on footage!

[@TinLizzie-uc1jw]

Wow, it’s amazing to see Bix in action! To be quite honest, I’m not surprised that he puffed his cheeks when he was playing, considering he was self taught. Thank you very much for uploading this video!

[@wholzman2]

It's great to see Bix. Such a talent, and to this day, such a sad ending. You think, "What could have been".

[@mochawitch]

Wow, actual footage (however brief) of Bix Biederbeck..? awesome ت

[@johnhalbert3575]

😊😊 😊 I'm very vpls to know I'm not the only one that loves😍 👆 the song but when last did you play it 💖

[@briannelson42]

Although Bix couldn't join the band for KING OF JAZZ--imagine the solo spot he would have received in the intros of the band members!--I'm grateful for this clip. Would love to have heard the entire number, which was never released as a record if I'm correct.

[@kristinli806]

I have always been intrigued by how Bix tended to angle his cornet downward to his chest as he played. Love this song--wish there were an extended version.

[@danielduggan5495]

Really would suggest any listeners to Bix have a search or the odd nose through KZbin for Alan Plater’s screen tribute to Bix- the script is based on Free Jazz. The Beiderbecke Affair- The Beiderbecke Tapes and The Beiderbecke Connection- Starring Barbara Flynn and James Bolam. It’s fabulous and absolutely wonderful to watch, lots of laughs but a real sentiment of tribute too. X

[@hughmanatee7657]

Paul Whiteman, the King of Jazz!

[@oldtimedrumcorps]

the very last note of the warmup sounds like a cornet, probably Bix chek it out! This schtuff is the best

[@zuzannawisniewska8339]

Awesome! Bix in action..love this song...listening in 2023 from Chicago, Illinois.

[@giovannirivoira5496]

My absolute idol Bix,here on a short film!simply wonderful!!!thank you!!!

[@timmcinnes2594]

Never saw this before. I know there are some home movies that Bix and the boys made, too. I'm still looking for any film of Jelly Roll Morton.

[@mcintron43]

One of the wonders of Music!

[@muffs55mercury61]

I only wish sound had come to film before 1928 (well it actually did but was initially rejected by the major film studios) & catch more of the roaring 20s in sound.

[@barbaraeffros4804]

Amazing footage! Thanks for posting.

[@oldtoby9377]

Bix was taken from us way too soon. Lord knows how much his career could've grown had he lived for at least 20 more years...

[@austingordon4527]

Your Legacy will live on forever as greatest one

[@wygtam]

What a shame this great arrangement wasn't issued. Why?

[@hanseekhoff1093]

Every note of Bix counts!

[@jazzguy1927]

The version shown here the film is blurred and so is another one on KZbin. I remember years ago there was a crystal clear sharp print of this on KZbin but it has disappeared. Also a lot more interesting to me than arguing over what kind of horn Bix played and much more important is what is on the missing or lost footage from this Fox Movietone newsreel? I read this footage, which is the only part shown on many KZbin posts, is only 1/3 of the total footage of the newsreel and 2/3 of it is missing. The footage shown on KZbin runs less than 2 minutes so a lot is missing. I can’t make it out on this blurred version but I recall on the sharp crystal clear one Bing and the other Rhythm Boys are standing behind the piano. I would think they performed a number also on the missing footage from this newsreel. The missing footage may never be found but it might be still possible to discover exactly what is on it. A weekly magazine from 1928 called Motion Picture News in addition to having reviews of current films like College with Buster Keaton also had a column called News Reel Resume in which there were detailed descriptions of current Paramount News reels AND Fox Movietone news reels. I am going through 1928 issue by issue to try to find the issue that has a description of the Whiteman one. These reviews of the newsreels in this magazine are very detailed. If I can find the Whiteman review I am hoping the review will go into the detail of listing each song played. I think it will list My Ohio Home probably followed by a number the Rhythm Boys sing on then possibly a 3rd number that features some soloists. My Ohio Home is ensemble playing by the Orchestra with no solos except a saxophone and the musician is not shown during the solo. I think the missing 3rd number has Whiteman featuring some of his soloists on a number. It is a real long shot but the newsreel review in Motion Picture News might even mention Whiteman musicians featured by name. If I can find the issue with the review of the Whiteman news reel I will take a picture of the review from the magazine and post it on my channel. I am going to search every single issue of that magazine from 1928 looking for that review and I found a collector of vintage film magazines who has every single issue of Motion Picture News from 1928 and has agreed to let me search through them.

[@Gennettor-nc8kx]

Why do you complain so much? I think we're lucky that this survives and that the sound is now perfectly synchronized with the picture. And I find it very interesting to discuss which horn Bix is playing here (it's indeed not the Bach).

[@oldtimedrumcorps]

Sorry, one more thing, check out how Mr. Whiteman wants the articulated down beat emphasized. how cool is that?

[@LaptopLarry330]

WOW!!! This is INCREDIBLY RARE footage of Paul Whiteman And His Orchestra on a "talkie" film, playing music, and Bix Beiderbecke is seen playing in his orchestra as well!!! This is an amazing find!!! Thanks, harryoakley, for sharing this very special musical performance film here on KZbin. :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

[@steveheywood9428]

Larry Ressler talkie films didn’t appear until 1929 but the people who put this together did try and sync the recorded music as well as possible...one or two seconds out.

[@dogerecords5312]

@@steveheywood9428 this was made by Movietone, its been debated as to exactly when the first sound film was made, but they were around in the late 1920s

[@harrylazard805]

Short but sweet!

[@MrJohnbarkley1000]

paul whiteman is a hero

[@BertieW0oster]

Awesome!

[@vilstef6988]

Note the uploader-Harry Oakley. The tagline at the end is on about everything he uploads.

[@brosro1809]

tag line is from "Sons of the Desert" L&H film from 1934.

[@luvmyrecords]

Note also that the arrangement is played entirely from memory.

[@gaetanocaccianini5600]

Video testimonianza davvero deliziosa 🎶😃

[@HarborGuy]

Wishin Ohio was this great today, it's my home lol

[@joaquimarautosoarespetris209]

Excellent explanation - congratulations! Excelente explicação - parabéns!

[@oldtimedrumcorps]

Cool opening Tube bells during warm up actually chime 12 strikes. Clock shows 12. Here come Mr. Whiteman, takes the contract out of his pocket ands tears it up showing disdain. He doesnt just drop it but sort of flings it, claps his hands showing ok boys lets get to work. He also showcases Bix which wasnt necessary as the part played was more sectional than solo. More here than at first glance. Thats all there is ... Could that have been his sign off at the end of his performances?

[@edisone1]

Poor Paul was not well-served by his Columbia move, even though they put him on the Board of Directors - Columbia discs had nowhere near the sales of Victor, which Paul quickly realized, but too late. Victor records obviously sold 10-to-1 over Columbia at the time, which is why Paul's "Potato Head" records are still so rare compared to the easily obtainable Victor pressings, even now. No wonder that he re-joined RCA Victor when they made a decent offer, in 1932! (Now you hafta find his Victor discs during the Depression, which can be harder to find than the Columbias! Record sales in 1932-1934 were pathetic, to say the least. I've been trying to get every Whiteman disc for over 40 years, and still need a few from that 1932-4 period.

[@bornhoffer]

This is a fantastic arrangement. You might find this Music glossy, but it's a showcase of Avant-garde harmony used in popular Music. We are quite used to these harmonies today, but they weren't taken lightly upon back then. Whiteman tears up his contract With Victor in the beginning of the film, and ironically, he would soon regret his transition to Columbia, as they had made him record more Commercial stuff, which he meant was more suited for other orchestra leaders, who had not achieved the Things he had with his jazz symphonic orchestra. It is symptomatic that this arrangement was not recorded by Columbia, Whiteman's Career as a futurist on record literally ends the moment he tears up that contract.

[@harryoakley]

Actually, there are several Columbias with equally interesting "avant-garde" arrangemants (although the latter qualification goes a bit far, also for this arrangement) and Whiteman was actually back with Victor a few years later; "Whiteman's Career as a futurist on record" had by no means ended. Although he never really followed the Swing craze (the way Goodman and so many others did), his music very much remained progressive.

[@tomthefunky]

I live across the street from the building Bix died in.

[@Jazz-hk7ok]

Existe otra toma alternativa . Y además también existe una filmación sin sonido de Bix con la orquesta de Jean Golkette rodada en la calle .

[@spacemissing]

They drowned out the clock!

[@johncoffin9354]

There's a snippet of Bix playing on the silent home movie of the Goldkette band. I don't remember him puffing his cheeks there. But I also don't remember seeing a version of that film that was terribly clear either.

[@harryoakley]

John Coffin I do and Bix does. But in any case, he does it here.

[@johncoffin9354]

I played cornet and trumpet for about ten years. 'Cheek-puffing' isn't some dreadful sign. I couldn't do it if I tried, but some people make it work as part of their technique.

[@harryoakley]

John Coffin And I have been playing trumpet for 47 years.

[@johncoffin9354]

Certainly better than I ever did. I did just see a clear still from the Mertz home movie, Bix's right cheek is protruding. I can't tell if this is a facial-muscle think or an air cushion. In the newsreel , he does look like he's inflating.

[@davidbaise5137]

No wonder they had to wake the guy up on the bandstand.

[@ahleutea]

Live long, and I can see "Live" Bix. Thenks harryoakly! Then what I expand my life for? Moving Buddy Bolden?

[@TuberOnTheLoose]

@n64wilbert - I did not post this video. I only pointed out that there was a highlight square that wasn't on Bix. That highlight square has since been removed. The video was posted by harryoakley. I have no idea where he found it. I am loosely aquainted with harryoakley from other websites and pages devoted to Bix Beiderbecke and 20's jazz in general. This was a publicity event where Paul Whiteman's contract with Victor expired at midnight, so he tore it up as the clock struck 12:00.

[@n64wilbert]

@TuberOnTheLoose Very impressive where did you allocated(or find) this video and posted it? Was that actually the event when Paul Whiteman demolished his Victrola contract?

[@hanseekhoff1093]

Bix used a Martin early in his career - but this definitely isn't that. Much research, comparison and measuring has revealed that this is definitely a Holton cornet, the same one that Bix holds in the Holton advertisement picture, taken a few weeks earlier.

[@lanco001]

looks like he hooks his left index finger over the top of the tubing leading to the bell near the valves. tried to see if i could see any of his unusual fingerings but not clear enough. i wonder if one day technology will allow one to clear up the picture even more

[@harryoakley]

That would probably have been possible if the original print was still available, however, it was ruined during the copying process...

[@dogerecords5312]

@@harryoakley and that was the sole surviving copy?

[@BunkLaplace]

it's true. Bix holds a Holton-Clarke cornet. At this time the Whiteman brass secton is sponsored by Holton.

[@n64wilbert]

@SatchmoSings That also when Okeh Records became an phonographic entity governed by Columbia.

[@thatrecord5313]

Damn, is that really the only footage we have of Bix?

[@luvmyrecords]

Regading the addendum to your description: has anyone been able to determine what horn Bix is playing? (I suppose it's not his Conn Victor? I am a woodwind player, so the finer points of identifying any brass instrument's maker, and even the not-so-finer ones, are beyond me. This would be true for me with both modern and vintage instruments.)

[@bflat879]

If I were a guessing man, I'd say this was pre-recorded and the music played while the musicians lip-synced their parts for the filming. I don't believe you can tell if Bix played with puffed cheeks or not because, if this was pre-recorded, he probably purposely puffed his cheeks to give visualization to his playing. You notice there are still notes being played as he goes to sit down. I'm not sure, but that's how it looks to me.

[@hanseekhoff1093]

bflat879 You guess wrong - this was recorded "live" picture and sound simultaneously, and Bix puffing his cheeks where he actually blows, is quite clearly visible.

[@edisone1]

Quite correct, Hans! There was NO "pre-recording" in 1928, and certainly not for any newsreel. Also note how Paul Whiteman EXACTLY knows the score, and conducts accordingly. Oh, how I wish everything about this clip could have continued for 20 hours of Paul's orchestra instead of this little 2 minutes; -- but think of how lucky we are to have even this little snippet.

[@osocool1too]

By watching Bix at the end, I would say the Sync was out by just over one second. Check it out.

[@dogerecords5312]

Probably a switch between takes more likely. They used one sound camera, doing multiple takes and editing it down to one film, possibly only using one soundtrack from one of the takes over all three.

[@michael69040]

did the string section have their parts memorized?

[@TuberOnTheLoose]

After Bix sits down the highlight square is on a guy playing a flute. When Bix sat he was directly to the left of him. After Bix sits he is pretty much off camera. You can barely see his shoulder. Note also that while Bix is standing you can see that same guy put down a saxophone and pick up the flute.

[@luvmyrecords]

Right. Also, 4th trumpet/cornet goes easy on the written notes in order to save the soloist's chops.

[@astridsluis1540]

I think the cornet used by Bix is a Martin.

[@Zefrenm]

@luvmyrecords Can't have the sounds of paper in the those early recordings

[@n64wilbert]

@mengel419 Is "In mist" by Bix Beiderbecke is owned by Sony Music Group?

[@mtlicq]

Am I the first to give this one a "LIKE" ? after 10 1/2 years ????

[@dubbtubbdrum]

No, I’m a drummer and I love Bix!

[@jamisonescott2300]

Now show us a video of Buddy Bolden.

[@GarageCloneRecordZ]

Am the only one who is going to ask about the "that's all there is; there isn't anymore!" phrase at the end? Where did that come from and why is that included?

[@wayneengle4473]

I'm not sure where they got it, but that's Oliver Hardy, of the comedy team Laurel and Hardy. If you've heard Ollie's voice a few times, you could spot it anywhere.

[@tidepoolbay]

How many Films of Bix are around?

[@wayneengle4473]

I believe this is the only one. Except maybe a home movie segment or two of he and the other Whiteman bandsmen out on the street.

[@scottstacey7447]

Bix was scheduled to be in "King Of Jazz" but the movie was delayed by production problems (possibly filming in 2-strip Technicolor caused many delays). By the time the problems were ironed out, Bix had left the band for good.

[@pinkieldred]

Finally .....I know now Bix did puff his cheeks while playing, this video proves it. I'm fascinated and surprised that he could get that type of sound ....militaristic precise punching his notes as I know I could never accomplish. Also as is evident, the sound is not quite synced the film, maybe a second or 2 ahead ..?

[@harryoakley]

+Pinkie Eldred The sound is perfectly synchronised with the film. That is actually the whole point of this upload.

[@dazguti]

i think this is better than all that justin beiber drake nikki manaj one direction crap. it just doesnt compare!