Bix

Bix

Year: 1991

Runtime: 111 mins

Language: English

Director: Pupi Avati

Drama

Biopic of troubled jazz musician/composer Bix Beiderbecke (1903-1931), who played with the Paul Whiteman band, among others.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Bix (1991)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Bix (1991). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1931

The film unfolds primarily in 1931, two months after Bix Beiderbecke’s death, anchoring the narrative in the aftermath of a life cut short. Flashbacks transport viewers to the 1920s, when Bix rises within the Frank Trumbauer circle and forges his reputation as a prodigious cornetist who reads by ear. The period blends the tail end of the Roaring Twenties with the early hardships of the Depression, highlighting the fragility of fame.

Location

New York City, Davenport, Iowa

The story opens in New York City in October 1931, placing it in the final days of the Jazz Age. It then moves to Davenport, Iowa, the trumpeter’s hometown and a key stop for uncovering his life story. A cross-country train journey links these settings, showing how the music world spans both bustling cities and Midwestern roots.

🎷 Jazz hub 🏙️ Urban landscape 🚂 Train journey

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:53

Main Characters – Bix (1991)

Meet the key characters of Bix (1991), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Bix Beiderbecke (Bryant Weeks)

A gifted American jazz cornetist who cannot read music but plays by ear. His extraordinary talent fuels a rapid rise in the jazz world, even as family tensions complicate his life. The film traces his creative brilliance, personal struggles, and the fragile arc of a legend in the making.

🎷 Prodigy 🎭 Conflict 💔 Tragedy

Joe Venuti (Emile B. Levisetti)

Italian-American violinist who becomes a close ally and the keeper of Bix’s story. He helps Burnie uncover truth and shares intimate memories of Bix’s early collaborations. Venuti anchors the narrative in friendship, loyalty, and the power of shared musical history.

🎻 Friend 🧭 Guide 🎭 Storyteller

Hoagy Carmichael (Romano Orzari)

A prominent jazz musician who crosses paths with Bix, illustrating the era’s collaborative network. His presence reflects the social fabric of the 1920s jazz world and the impact of peer connections on a musician’s career.

🎶 Colleague 👥 Network 🎷 Musician

Burnie Beiderbecke (Mark Collver)

Bix’s brother who travels to New York to meet Liza and uncover the truth about his sibling’s life. His investigative drive and family loyalty propel the central quest, highlighting the tension between memory and reality.

🧭 Investigator 🛤️ Family 🔎 Search

Liza (Debbon Ayer)

The woman Burnie seeks, who becomes a focal point of the narrative as her interactions provoke reflection on Bix’s life and relationships. Her presence pushes the story toward Davenport and the unveiling of past events.

💬 Mystery 💑 Memory 🗺️ Identity

Pee Wee Russell (Michael T. Henderson)

A fellow jazz musician in Bix’s orbit, representing the interconnected circle of players who contributed to the distinctive sound of the era. He embodies the collaborative spirit of the Jazz Age.

🎺 Colleague 🎵 Musician 🧰 Ensemble

Don Murray (Matthew Buzzell)

Another member of the jazz scene connected to Bix’s career and the broader social world surrounding his music. He helps illustrate the network of musicians who shaped Bix’s era.

🎷 Colleague 🧭 Period figure 🎭 History

Agatha (Julia Ewing)

A supporting character in Bix’s world who contributes to the ensemble of people around his life. Her role adds texture to the social spectrum of the narrative.

🎭 Supporting 🧩 Ensemble 🕊️ Memory

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:53

Major Themes – Bix (1991)

Explore the central themes of Bix (1991), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎷 Jazz Life

The film centers on a genius who cannot read music but feels every note, exploring how talent shapes identity and choice within the Jazz Age. It chronicles the vibrant yet demanding social world of 1920s jazz, including collaborations, performances, and the pressures of rising stardom. Music acts as both a personal compass and a communal bond that ties characters together across time. The narrative frames jazz as a living tradition carried forward by memory and artifact—records, stories, and performances.

🤝 Friendship and Mentorship

Bix’s career is defined by friendships and loyalties within the jazz ecosystem, notably Venuti and Trumbauer who guide and shield him. These bonds illustrate how mentorship can shape artistic voice, opportunities, and resilience in tough times. The relationships provide a human counterpoint to fame, showing care, trust, and the sharing of life stories. Together, they reveal how the music survives through collaborative support and shared history.

🕯️ Legacy and Loss

The film culminates in Bix’s untimely death and the enduring memory of his life. Burnie’s quest to uncover the truth, aided by Venuti’s storytelling, frames memory as a way to honor the fallen and understand personal history. The closing images—family photos and a quiet tribute—emphasize lineage, memory, and the way a life can continue to influence others after death. The story treats loss as both a personal tragedy and a catalyst for artistic legend.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:53

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Bix Summary

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