Ken Schram was an assistant postmaster in Ripon, Wisconsin. He had, in 1950, the most complete collection of original issues of Bix's 78 rpm records, including foreign issues. In 1950, Ken put his collection up for auction. The list of his records was published in the March 1950 issue of "Playback. The Jazz Record Magazine." Ken wrote, "I am offering at auction the largest and most complete collection of Bix records ever assembled. You will probably never again see some of these rarities offered on the open market." The listing specified which of his records were the rarest.

Here is the list of rarities with Ken Schram's commentaries.

Gennett 20062, I Need Some Pettin'/Royal Garden Blues
Although this record shows slight signs of cabinet marks, it was purchased from a dealer in the original wrapper, and is the best copy of this great rarity that I have ever seen.

Gennett 5542, Wolverines, Sensation/ Lazy Daddy (B Master)
This record is one of only five or six known Gennetts pressed from the B Master of Lazy Daddy.

Perfect 14905, Chicago Loopers, I'm More Than Satisfied (Master 1)
The above record is "Mint" and at one time belonged to Bix himself.

Perfect 14905, Chicago Loopers, I'm More Than Satisfied (Master 2)
The only known copy of of the No. 2 master pressed on Perfect.

Perfect 14905, Chicago Loopers, I'm More Than Satisfied (Master 5)
To the best of my knowledge, the only known copy of Master 5.

OKeh 40938, Sugar (Russell Gray and His Orchestra)
There is a question whether or not the cornet featured in the above record is Bix Beiderbecke. Personally, I do not think so, although it is a very good disc.

OKeh 41128, Frank Trumbauer, Freak Double Label, Reading Sentimental Baby on both sides.

ParlophoneE, R203 Frank Trumbauer, Borneo
Released by mistake under the name of "The Goofus Five." Very scarce. Delaunay does not even list it in "Hot Discography."

ParlophoneE, E6208 Frank Trumbauer, Louise
Released as by "Will Perry Orchestra." This is a red label Parlophone and is one of the rarest of English Parlophones. Delaunay does not list it in Hot Discography

Victor 21565, Jean Goldkette, Just Imagine
Although "Just Imagine" was made after Bix had left the band, many collectors including myself think that he sat on this take and backed the 'vocal'--it is entirely possible.

His Master's Voice 5509, Paul Whiteman, Lovable
A new copy of one of the rarest of Bix items. Years later it was pressed in the USA for the Whiteman Souvenir Album. However, the USA album does not have anywhere near the quality of the original British HMV pressing.

Columbia 50103-D Paul Whiteman, Sweet Sue
This record has been cut down from 12 to 10 inches, perhaps by Columbia to test for the shortened version released in their album. Quite an oddity.


There are three noteworthy items.

First, the revelation of a record belonging to Bix: Perfect 14905, Chicago Loopers, I'm More Than Satisfied (Master 1). How is this known? How and when did Ken acquired the record? Does anybody have information on this?

Second, Ken sides with me and other Bixophiles in his belief that the cornet/trumpet solo in Trumbauer's "Sugar" is not Bix. To read my discussion of Sugar in the Bixography, go to http://ms.cc.sunysb.edu/~alhaim/recordingsanalysis.htm#sugar To read a discussion of Sugar in the Forum, go to http://network54.com/Hide/Forum/message?forumid=27140&messageid=953182053

Third, the Jean Goldkette recording of "Just Imagine". Is it Bix or not? "Just Imagine" was recorded on July 12, 1928 in Chicago. Bix was in Chicago with Paul Whiteman at that time. "Just Imagine" was included in the Italian Raretone 24008, "Bix- To Be Or Not To Be..." The liners' commentaries about this record read, "In 'Just Imagine' there is a cornet doodling behind the vocal, very reminiscent of Bix on the Whiteman recording of 'Melancholy Baby' a few months earlier. When Venuti heard this record, he said immediately -"Sure, that's Bix." And it would be so strange to assume that Bix accompanied his old Goldkette pals to the Victor studios, being free during the day, to play a bit outside the arrangement behind the vocal? On no other number recorded during the same session, and neither on any Goldkette records of that period can a similar cornet sound be heard." On the other hand, according to Sudhalter and Evans, "Bix: Man and Legend", p. 368, "Bix's presence, once suspected on the strength of a cornet obligato to Greta Woodson's vocal, can be discounted. Vernon Brown and Dale Skinner, who participated, confirm that the player is Sterling Bose, as does Goldkette, himself."

Steve Hester kinldy scanned the list of Bix records offered for auction. He tells me that the complete collection was purchased by Robert Mantler, Bixophile extraordinaire and collector. At one time, Mantler started to write a Bix biography with Phil Evans. Mantler borrowed Bix's Vincent Bach cornet from Mary Louise, Bix's sister, under the pretext that he was going to have it restored. When Mantler did not return the cornet after repeated requests, the Shoemakers (Mary Louise's married name) recovered the cornet via a court order.




















Note that Schram did not know that Bix participated in the Goldkette recording of "Look At the World and Smile."

I am grateful to Steve Hester for sending  these scans.