44 IndependentNEPA.com

Cal Johnson hadn’t been in the old recordstore since he left town, after his wifethrew him out of the house, about 25years ago. He deserved it. He came home stonedrunk for the third night in a row, their six-month-old baby was wailing, and she just lost it.Cal didn’t blame her one bit, but he had tried–really tried– to make it. He had $40 and change,so he walked over to the bypass and stuck outhis thumb, pointing west. His only regret wasthat he’d never see his little girl grow up.

IN A MISTMike Burnside | Photos Philip A. Dente

CREATIVITY | CULTURE | CHANGE

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He’d done alright once he got off the sauce.Got steady work in the oil fields of Oklahomaand had risen up in the ranks. He sent moneyhome for a while, but never heard a word fromJulie, despite his asking about their daughterevery time he wrote. The last time was aboutfour years ago, and the letter was returned tohim with an official-looking stamp on it–“Addressee Unknown.”

He retired a year ago with a pretty goodpension. He never spent much money and hefigured he could get by alright. But he got boredand, on a whim, decided to go on the road andsee a little of the country. Inevitably, he foundhimself back home, and in Vinyl Dreams, the oldrecord shop where he encountered an oldfriend– Bix Beiderbecke.

The album was In A Mist and featured suchfavorites as “Royal Garden Blues”, “Jazz MeBlue”, and, best of all,“Clementine.” Cal hadgrown up listening to this music and regrettedthat he had never danced to Bix with his babygirl, Clementine.

He paid for the album, poured himself a cupof the free coffee, and sat down to read the linernotes. After a few moments he noticed a womanof perhaps 30 years of age at the cash register,and the young man who waited on her said, loudenough for him to overhear,“It’s not often I sell aBix, but this is the second one today.”He pointedout Cal to the young woman and, when thetransaction had been completed, she came overto him and asked if he minded if she sat down.He said,“Anyone who likes Bix is a friend ofmine.”She smiled and sat down.

“Well, my mom played him a lot toward theend, but this one wasn’t in her collection–which is now my collection.”

They chatted for a few minutes about theirfavorite Bix tracks until a young man stuck hishead in the door and shouted,“Hey beautiful,c’mon or we’re gonna miss the beginning ofthe movie!”

She shouted back,“Hey handsome, comeover here and meet my new friend!”

“Can’t. I’m double-parked!”

She said her goodbye to Cal and headedfor the door, where the young man urged herto hurry.

“Hurry up, Clemmie, we’re gonna be late!”And they were out the door before Cal hadtime to react.“Clemmie!”

He ran to the door, but they had already spedaway. Cal went over to the young man behindthe counter and asked about her, but he hadlittle information.

“She comes in now and then, doesn’t alwaysbuy. Don’t know anything about her, really.Why do you ask?”

Cal hesitated for only a moment, then replied,“No reason, really. I thought I might know her.But how could I? I’ve been away for so long.”

CREATIVITY | CULTURE | CHANGE

Bix Beiderbecke was one of the greatest jazz musicians of the 1920s. His beautiful tone on the cornet made him alegend among musicians during his life. Few could equal his purity of tone and his unique method of expression.Bix died in 1931 at the age of 28. Learn more about this phenomenal artist at: www.bixbeiderbecke.com.