Sidney Bechet was one of the early jazz virtuosos, a master of the clarinet and a true pioneer of jazz saxophone. Born on May 14, 1897, in New Orleans, Bechet was emerged in the city's vibrant music scene from a young age. His profound artistry on the soprano saxophone set him apart, and his style was characterized by passionate intensity and a unique vibrato that quickly became his trademark. Bechet was not only a player; he was also a notable composer who contributed numerous classics to the jazz repertoire, including the famous "Petite Fleur" and "Si Tu Vois Ma Mère."

Throughout his career, Sidney Bechet's genius took him all over the world. During the 1910s and 1920s, he spent significant time in Europe, bringing authentic jazz to audiences who were seeing and hearing it for the first time. His time abroad was punctuated by a mix of success and the challenges of dealing with racial prejudice and legal issues. Despite these struggles, Bechet's influence was profound and lasting. Posthumously, he has been celebrated in numerous collections and tributes, including the expansive "The Essential Sidney Bechet," and his life and work have been thoroughly documented in jazz chronicles like "Ken Burns Jazz-Sidney Bechet." Bechet passed away on May 14, 1959, on his 62nd birthday. His legacy continues to be honored by jazz aficionados and remains an integral part of the story of jazz.

Genres

Dixieland

Jazz Clarinet

New Orleans Jazz

Related Artists

Louis Armstrong

Duke Ellington

Count Basie

Benny Goodman

Jelly Roll Morton

Lester Young

Fats Waller

Ella Fitzgerald

John Coltrane

Chet Baker

Miles Davis

Johnny Dodds

Latest Release

Together (Town Hall - 1947) [Live]

Sidney Bechet•

Wingy Manone

Album - 10 Tracks - Released February 10, 2021