Bix Fest: Emerald Anniversary, Centennial Tributes & More!

In 2026, the Bix Beiderbecke Jazz Festival celebrates three important events: The Emerald Anniversary (55 years of presenting classic jazz to music lovers from around the world); First event hosted by Common Chord since the organization’s merger with the Bix Beiderbecke Jazz Society; and the Centennial of Bix Beiderbecke joining the Jean Goldkette Orchestra.

The Festival will take place July 30 through Aug. 1 at the Rhythm City Casino in Davenport, Iowa. Of course there will be a special set by Josh Duffee’s Graystone Monarchs of music played in 1926 by Bix and Goldkette. The Oliver-Smith Incomparables—making their debut at the Bix Festival—will dedicate their sets to Centennials of recordings by Jelly Roll Morton’s Red Hot Peppers, Doc Cook and his Orchestra, King Oliver’s Dixie Syncopators, Ben Pollack and his Orchestra, the New Orleans Owls, and the Halfway House Orchestra.

In addition to the Graystone Monarchs and the Incomparables, the Chicago Cellar Boys, Jeff Barnhart’s Fats Waller Legacy Band, Mike Davis’ New Wonders and vocalist Miss Jubilee complete the lineup for 2026, with additional special appearances by the Bix Youth Band.

This year’s festival program also includes new events: A solo piano set, featuring Paul Asaro and Jeff Barnhart; Bix Beiderbecke’s Modern Piano Suite, performed by Andy Schumm; dance instruction by acclaimed dance historian Jeanette Watts; and a silent movie showing at the Last Picture Show in Davenport with accompaniment by Jeff Barnhart and Josh Duffee.

The unofficial kickoff to the 2026 Bix Festival will take place on Wednesday, July 29 at the Knoxville Tap in Milan, IL. where Josh Duffee will lead the Bix All-Stars featuring Andy Schumm, Colin Hancock, T.J. Muller, Paul Asaro, and Dave Bock. This event is already 50 percent sold out. Contact Josh Duffee, (563) 650-3403 as soon as possible to make reservations.

Following the silent movie on Thursday afternoon, the Chicago Cellar Boys will play a concert at the Putnam Museum (also in Davenport). Friday morning, T.J. Muller’s Jazz-O-Maniacs will perform aboard the Celebration Belle riverboat. Saturday morning, Mike Davis’ New Wonders will play a concert at Bix’s gravesite—preceded by a parade of antique cars. The weekend will conclude on Sunday morning with a Jazz Liturgy at the First Presbyterian Church in Davenport—the Beiderbecke Family church.

Tickets for the 2026 Bix Beiderbecke Jazz Festival and related events (not including the Knoxville Tap or riverboat cruise) may be purchased online at www.commonchordqc.org or by phone at 563-324-7170.

Please visit the Common Chord website for ticket pricing, information on reservations for the riverboat cruise and area hotels and more festival details.

Hal Smith

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Hal Smith is an Arkansas-based drummer and writer. He leads the El Dorado Jazz Band and the
Mortonia Seven and works with a variety of jazz and swing bands. Visit him online at
halsmithmusic.com