Bix

Gr 10 Up–Chantler’s wordless work tells the story of Bix Beiderbecke, a wildly inventive early jazz soloist from the Roaring Twenties. Bix’s story begins with his childhood in Davenport, IA, on the banks of the Mississippi river. Born to strict and religious parents, Bix is depicted as a subdued little boy whose only joy in life is music. Hailed as a musical prodigy, he learns complicated pieces simply by listening to them. The day his older brother brings home Bix’s first record, Bix can think of nothing but the magic that is jazz, and, as an adult, he is unable to resist the lure of nightclubs, booze, and swinging jazz, much to his family’s dismay. He becomes a fixture as a soloist in the jazz community and part of touring ensembles across the country, ultimately becoming a historical legend for his innovative style and unique sound. Chantler’s illustrations complement each other well—classic black-and-white drawings with details and expressions that tell the story of Bix’s life and echo the styles and attitudes of the twenties leading into the bleakness of the Great Depression. The panels depict Bix’s successes and struggles with his personal demons so vividly, the absence of text and dialogue does not detract from the overall story.