The Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival is an annual tribute to Bix Beiderbecke. He is a famed jazz cornetist, pianist and composer. The Bix Jazz Festival is (normally) held in Davenport, Iowa, Bix’s hometown.

It is one of the largest jazz festival in the United States, held the first weekend of August. The music goes on from (roughly) noon to 11 p.m.

BIX JAZZ FESTIVAL

This to commemorate the anniversary of Bix’s passing on August 6, 1931. The musical performances are held in downtown Davenport.

Additional events include a Saturday morning tribute at Oakdale Memorial Cemetery.

Jazz is played over Bix’s grave in the Beiderbecke family plot. This event draws huge crowds annually.

Also, on Sunday morning, a jazz liturgy is held at the First Presbyterian Church in Davenport.

The church was the Beiderbecke family’s home church. Bix’s mother, Agatha, was the church organist. A band from the Bix Jazz Festival performs at this event.

On the Sunday evening of the Bix weekend there is an ‘Afterglow’ event. Four bands are scheduled to perform at this event.

It all began in 1971 when Bill Donahoe’s Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Band traveled to Davenport with the . They played music at Bix’s grave on the 40th anniversary of his death.

moving to Bettendorf

Although it’s been a Davenport staple since ‘71, the 45th edition will move to the Quad-Cities WCC and the Isle Casino Hotel.

This due to a scheduling conflict with the RiverCenter and Adler Theatre. The options were either find another date or go somewhere else.

300 volunteers perform the vast array of tasks required to stage the Bix Jazz Festival. More are always needed. You can reach us at (563) 324-7170 if you’d like to help.

Putting on an annual festival of this size tremendously expensive. Regrettably, ticket fees alone cannot begin to sustain it.

Continued success of Bix Jazz Festival is dependent upon grants, sponsors and donations. No matter the number, large or small, the Bix Jazz Festival offers a big THANK YOU!