In the first half of 1927 Bix Beiderbecke recorded for OKeh Records with a small group that included saxophonist Frankie Trumbauer and guitarist Eddie Lang. The resulting recordings proved to be some of the most sensational and influential of their time, with 'Singing The Blues' perhaps the best example; Louis Armstrong famously refused to record the track as he didn't feel that Bix's solo could be improved upon. The laid-back, sparse sound of the band provided a contrast to the intricate, passionate 'hot' jazz coming out of New Orleans and became the foundations for the 'cool' sound epitomized in the 1950s by Lester Young, Miles Davis and Stan Getz. Contrary to the title later given to Davis' legendary 1949-50 recordings, many critics consider this session to have been the true 'Birth of the Cool'.

Links

http://redhotjazz.com/coolarticle.html
The Frankie Trumbauer/Bix Beiderbecke session discussed as the original 'Birth of the Cool'.

http://redhotjazz.com
This site provides an invaluable resource on early jazz, with extensive biographies, essays and downloadable tracks.

http://www.rootsandrhythm.com/
International US-based mail order record catalogue, specializing in roots music.

http://www.jazznblues.co.uk/
UK-based jazz and blues record specialists.