Bix Jazz Society

10/21/2026

Our first Jazz Jam was a success! Thanks to Joel Lindscheid from Augustana, the house band, and all who joined us for a night of jazz.

Come back and join us for the next jam - the 3rd Tuesday in November!

08/12/2026

Extending our sympathy to the family & friends of Jim Prochaska, who passed away last week 💐 For many years — we have hosted a jam session at Jim's Knoxville Tap, either before or after the annual Bix Jazz Festival 🎺

The place has always been packed, with Jim sitting at the bar, buying rounds of Polish Shooters for the musicians! 🎶 We are forever grateful for his hospitality, and we will honor Jim’s legacy as we honor Bix’s legacy ❤️

08/04/2026

🎵🎵🎺THANK YOU!🎺🎵🎵

The 2026 Bix Jazz Festival was a rousing success!

Thanks go out to our wonderful patrons and supporters, talented musicians, expert sound crew, dedicated volunteers, and all who helped make this year one of our favorite festivals yet!

We are delighted to announce the details of the 2027 festival:
August 4-8 in the Gold Room at the Hotel Blackhawk

Mark your calendars, and stay tuned for more details later this year!

08/01/2026

Well deserved! ♥️

And the 2026 Bix Lives Award goes to Catfish Jazz Society ! Since 1989, the Catfish Jazz Society has been keeping the spirit of Bix alive through the hosting of their monthly free jam sessions, their annual Bix Birthday Bash, and their music scholarship program that has gifted over $72,000 to 84 student musicians since 1999. Since their founding, they've been one of the strongest contingents of volunteers for the annual Bix Festival, helping keep the festival going for the last 55 years.

The Bix Lives Award Committee is happy to have awarded Catfish the Bix Lives Award this year as the first ever organization to be awarded it since the award's inception in 2008. A full video of the ceremony will be made available on Facebook and YouTube in the coming days. Please join us in congratulating this year's winner.

08/01/2026

🌩️WEATHER CANCELLATION🌩️

Due to a steady forecast of rain and strong chance of lightning, the Saturday morning graveside concert has been cancelled.

The Festival will continue all day Saturday at Rhythm City Casino, and will conclude Sunday afternoon with the Sunday Session in the Redstone Room.

07/31/2026

‼️All Aboard‼️ Celebration Belle Riverboat Cruise with T.J. Muller’s Jazz-O-Maniacs 🥳🚢 Dance floor was jumping, ceremonial wreath toss, fantastic food & drinks — A True Celebration! 💃🏻🎶🎺

07/30/2026

The Chicago Cellar Boys treated the audience to a one-hour show in Putnam’s Grand Lobby! 🥳🎵 Thanks to our museum partners, attendees heard Bix’s very own cornet played LIVE – a perfect way to kick off the 55th Festival❗️BIX LIVES❗️

07/30/2026

NEW EVENT‼️🎥 Limited tickets remaining 🎟️

TOMORROW! Join us at The Last Picture House to enjoy silent film comedies of the 1920s paired with live music! Jeff Barnhart (piano) and Josh Duffee (percussion sound effects) provide the live soundtrack to these films on Thursday, July 30th from 12:00pm - 2:00pm.

Tickets available from Common Chord: www.CommonChordQC.org/bix

07/30/2026

The Bix All-Stars at Jim’s Knoxville Tap (Milan, IL) to officially kick-off the Bix Jazz Festival events in the Quad Cities, celebrating our 55th year of keeping the music & legacy of Bix Beiderbecke flowing in his hometown area! 🎉🎶🥳

Fun Fact: Bix actually played at this venue back in the 1920’s when it was called the “Bluebird Inn” way out on the outskirts of town! 🎺🐦

07/27/2026

🎺🎵Festival Week Is Here!🎵🎺

We're looking forward to our annual reunion to celebrate the music and legacy of Bix! Join us for four days of hot trad jazz at Rhythm City Casino and a variety of special events at the Last Picture House, Putnam Museum, in the Redstone Room, and more!

Schedule and details in the comments!

The 2026 Festival celebrates Bix’s collaborations with Jean Goldkette. This year features special sets, the return of dinner breaks, reserved table seating options, the exciting special events you know and love, and a brand-new special event to be announced!