“China Boy“ by Paul Whiteman

“China Boy“ was recorded by the Paul Whiteman Orchestra on May 3, 1929. Cornetist Bix Beiderbecke had been ill for some time and had just recently rejoined the orchestra when this record was made. During this time, Bix was playing most of his solos into a felt hat, which masked his weakened tone. Although Bix’s solo in “China Boy“ is only 16 bars long, it is considered by many to be one of the finest solos he ever recorded. The record player is an Orthophonic Victrola model VE4-4X, or “Granada“. The “E“ in the model number indicates that the Victrola is fitted with a synchronous A/C motor instead of a wind-up motor. The machine has a full “orthophonic“ playback system (for electrically-recorded records) including the special orthophonic sound box with a duralumin diaphragm and a folded exponential horn inside of the cabinet. Although the gigantic Credenza Victrola produced deeper bass, the Granada had the most accurate overall frequency respons