Bix Beiderbecke
Pianist
Jazz Age cornetist, pianist, and composer who made a profound impact in spite of his life ending prematurely at age 28.
He would skip dinner to play the calliope.
His versions of Singin' the Blues and I'm Coming, Virginia, both from 1927, were admired for their tonal purity and improvisation.
He was born to parents Bismark Herman and Agatha Jane Hilton Beiderbecke. His father was a lumber and coal merchant.
He had a profound influence on Bing Crosby.