'Tribute to Bix' Honors Jazz Great

Jazz is a truly American art form that took hold almost 100 years ago. Now celebrated around the world and heard in venues just as varied as the artists themselves, millions of people every year flock to festivals to hear the best of the best.

A new event in Mount Pleasant brings a new celebration to our neck of the woods. "A Tribute to Bix" is a weekend-long celebration of jazz great Bix Biederbecke who died too young at the age of 28 in 1931. Live music, vintage films, a bus tour to jazz haunts in Chicago and more make up this special event.

Here's the full release from Real Racine:

The Jazz Age returns for hundreds of fans at
"A Tribute to Bix," March 8-11 at the Racine Marriott Hotel, 7111 Washington Ave., Mount Pleasant.

The event, now in its 23rd year, is a full weekend celebration of 1920s-era jazz music and musicians. Organizer Phil Pospychala has put together concerts, lectures, rare films, a jam session, a record spin and a bus tour of Chicagoland jazz haunts. Attendees may choose any or all events.

The 2012 entertainment lineup includes the Monkey Chasers, the Scrap Iron Jazzerinos and vocalist Vanessa Tagliabue Yorke. Concerts are planned for 7 p.m. Saturday, March 10 and noon, Sunday, March 11.

"A Tribute to Bix" honors the legacy of legendary jazz cornetist Bix Beiderbecke who died in 1931 at age 28. Beiderbecke has long been recognized as a leading innovator in early jazz.

Admission to all weekend events is $100. Tickets for individual events range from $5 to $25. For details, call 847-996-0246, email bixguy@hotmail.com or visit www.bixfest.com