While Paul Whiteman had long billed himself as the "King of Jazz," the jazz quotient of his music went up substantially in 1927 when cornetist Bix Beiderbecke joined the orchestra as a frequently featured soloist. The addition of Bing Crosby as a member of Whiteman's "Rhythm Boys" vocal group was an important contribution as well; Crosby's relaxed phrasing and rhythmic acuity eventually marked a major shift in the popular singing of the day. Beiderbecke immediately asserts his presence on "Changes" with an inventive, improvised solo full of subtle details and striking inflections. Even when restricted to written parts, his cornet is a distinct and fluent voice in the ensemble. The band's developing jazz qualities become increasingly apparent, particularly on arrangements like "Louisiana" and "Mississippi Mud," but Beiderbecke's creative freshness still stands out when posed against the strings on sentimental ballads. --Stuart Broomer |
