Happy birthday, Sidney Bechet, born on this day in 1897 (1897-1959).

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As a true Creole, Sidney Bechet (May 14, 1897, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States – May 14, 1959, Garches, France) had the problem of being too white for black people and too black for white people. But this self-taught musician, born and raised in New Orleans, had much more to do with Louis Armstrong than just neighbors. Bechet was, along with Armstrong, the first and greatest soloist of traditional jazz.

The seventh child in his family, Sidney Bechet began practicing music one day at the age of ten, when a party was being held at his house with Freddie Keppard’s orchestra playing. In an adjoining room, thinking he couldn’t be heard, Bechet played the part of the missing clarinetist in the orchestra. From then on, seeing his talents, the “oracle” of New Orleans clarinetists welcomed him into his fold, and everyone endeavored to teach him the technique of the instrument.

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In 1913, he left his family and moved to Chicago, already well-established as a self-taught musician. He played with King Oliver, Roy Palmer, and the aforementioned Freddie Keppard, among others. The impresario, Will Marion Cook, invited him to join the Southern Syncopated Orchestra, which was touring Europe. The reception in Europe was so enthusiastic that he didn’t return until three years later, in 1922. From that stay, Bechet brought back to New York a new instrument, acquired in London, which would later bring him fame and distinction: the soprano saxophone.

In the “Big Apple,” he opened the “Basha Club” on Lenox Avenue, collaborated with pianist James P. Johnson and Duke Ellington, and, in a momentous decision, joined pianist Clarence Williams’ band, where Louis Armstrong played cornet. After a brief hiatus in Europe between 1926 and 1928, he joined Ray Noble’s orchestra in New York, where he met his friend Tommy Ladnier.

He stayed until 1938, and this stability provided him with a better standard of living. He married, earned money, and was only lacking the recognition he lacked among the public. Europe seemed like a lifeline, and French promoter Charles Delaunay handed him the opportunity when he invited him to participate in a Parisian jazz festival in May 1949. After a brief return trip to Chicago to arrange some contractual commitments, Sidney Bechet settled permanently in France in 1951.

Sidney Bechet’s stay in France was extraordinarily fruitful from a musical perspective. Adored by French fans, he recorded numerous albums for the Vogue label and participated in several concerts on the best Parisian stages. He traveled throughout Central Europe, and only a tragic lung disease cut short that wonderful period in his life. Sidney Bechet died on his 62nd birthday.

In the town of Juan-Les-Pins, there is a bust in his memory. In Paris, there is a street named after him on the corner of Rue Armstrong, the only illustrious surname that could challenge him for the honor of being the first great soloist in the history of jazz.

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Sidney Bechet: The Virtuoso of Jazz Soprano Saxophone and Clarinet

Sidney Bechet (1897–1959) was one of the most influential jazz musicians of the early 20th century. A virtuoso on both the soprano saxophone and clarinet, Bechet was a pioneer of jazz improvisation, known for his fiery, emotive playing style and his ability to weave intricate melodic lines with a distinctive vibrato. His contributions to jazz helped shape the transition from ragtime and early New Orleans jazz to the swing era and beyond.

This article explores Bechet’s biography, musical style, signature licks and harmonic approach, influences, legacy, major works, filmography, discography, and links to documentaries and performances of his most famous compositions.

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Biography

Early Life (1897–1919)

Sidney Bechet was born on May 14, 1897, in New Orleans, Louisiana, into a Creole family with a strong musical tradition. His father, Omar, was a shoemaker who played the flute as a hobby, and his four brothers were also musicians. Bechet began playing the clarinet at an early age, learning from legendary New Orleans musicians such as Lorenzo Tio, Big Eye Louis Nelson, and George Baquet.

By his teens, Bechet was performing with some of the best bands in New Orleans, including those of Freddie Keppard, King Oliver, and Bunk Johnson. His prodigious talent quickly earned him a reputation as one of the most skilled clarinetists in the city.

Early Career and Travels (1919–1930)

In 1919, Bechet joined Will Marion Cook’s Southern Syncopated Orchestra and traveled to Europe, where he introduced jazz to audiences in London and Paris. His performance of “Characteristic Blues” at the Royal Philharmonic Hall in London impressed conductor Ernest Ansermet, who famously wrote that Bechet’s playing was “perfect” and heralded him as an “artist of genius.”

However, Bechet’s fiery temper often got him into trouble. In 1922, he was deported from England after a dispute with a musician led to a fight. He returned to the U.S. and briefly joined Duke Ellington’s band before moving to France, where he played with Joséphine Baker at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées.

Recording Breakthrough and the 1930s

Bechet’s recording career took off in the 1920s with landmark sessions such as:

• “Wild Cat Blues” (1923) with Clarence Williams
• “Kansas City Man Blues” (1923)
• “Blue Horizon” (1944) – a masterpiece of blues improvisation

Despite his talent, Bechet struggled to find steady work during the Great Depression. He worked odd jobs, including running a tailor’s shop, before returning to music in the late 1930s as part of the New Orleans revival movement.

Later Career and Success in France (1940s–1959)

In 1949, Bechet moved permanently to France, where he was celebrated as a jazz legend. His 1949 composition “Petite Fleur” became an international hit and remains one of his most famous works. He continued recording and performing until his death from lung cancer on May 14, 1959 (his 62nd birthday).

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Musical Style

Bechet was a master of New Orleans jazz, characterized by:

• Improvisational brilliance – His solos were fluid, expressive, and highly melodic.
• Powerful vibrato – His wide, trembling vibrato became a signature sound.
• Emotional intensity – His playing was deeply soulful, blending blues, ragtime, and classical influences.
• Soprano saxophone dominance – While he began on clarinet, he became one of the first major jazz saxophonists, helping popularize the soprano sax in jazz.

Signature Licks and Harmonic Approach

Bechet’s improvisations often featured:

• Blues-inflected phrasing – Heavy use of blue notes (flattened 3rds, 5ths, and 7ths).
• Double-time runs – Rapid, flowing passages that showcased his technical mastery.
• Call-and-response patterns – Echoing his own phrases in a conversational style.
• Modal exploration – While rooted in traditional harmony, he occasionally ventured into modal playing, especially in later years.

His harmonic approach was based on diatonic and blues scales, but he frequently used chromatic passing tones to create tension and resolution.

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Influences

Bechet was influenced by:

• New Orleans brass bands (e.g., Buddy Bolden, King Oliver)
• Classical music (he admired Debussy and Bach)
• Blues singers (Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey)
• Creole folk music

In turn, Bechet influenced:

• John Coltrane (who cited Bechet’s soprano playing as an inspiration)
• Johnny Hodges (Duke Ellington’s alto saxophonist)
• Bob Wilber (a direct protégé)
• Modern jazz saxophonists like Branford Marsalis

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Legacy

Bechet’s impact on jazz includes:

• Pioneering the soprano saxophone as a lead instrument in jazz.
• Elevating jazz as an art form through his expressive, virtuosic playing.
• Bridging early jazz and modern styles, influencing both swing and bebop musicians.
• Popularizing jazz in Europe, particularly in France, where he remains a cultural icon.

Numerous jazz festivals and awards honor his memory, and his compositions continue to be performed worldwide.

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Major Works

Some of Bechet’s most famous compositions include:

1. “Petite Fleur” (1952) – A jazz waltz that became a global hit.
2. “Si Tu Vois Ma Mère” (1950s) – A melancholic ballad.
3. “Blue Horizon” (1944) – A blues masterpiece.
4. “Egyptian Fantasy” (1941) – An exotic, modal-influenced piece.
5. “Les Oignons” (1949) – A lively, New Orleans-style tune.

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Filmography

Bechet appeared in or contributed music to:

• “La Route du Bonheur” (1953) – French film featuring Bechet.
• “L’Inspecteur connaît la musique” (1956) – Crime film with Bechet’s music.
• “Jazz on a Summer’s Day” (1959) – Documentary featuring Bechet at the Newport Jazz Festival.

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Discography (Selected Albums)

• “Sidney Bechet in Paris” (1951)
• “Jazz at Storyville” (1953)
• “The Fabulous Sidney Bechet” (1958)
• “Parisian Encounter” (1958)
• “Sidney Bechet’s Blue Note Jazzmen” (1952)

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Documentaries and Videos

Documentaries:

• Sidney Bechet: Wizard of Jazz (BBC Documentary)
• Jazz: A Film by Ken Burns – Episode 1 (Features Bechet’s early career)
• The History Of Jazz Music – Sidney Bechet

Famous Performances:

1. Petite Fleur (1959)
2. Blue Horizon (1944)
3. Si Tu Vois Ma Mère (1950s)
4. Les Oignons (1949)

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Sidney Bechet was a monumental figure in jazz, whose fiery improvisations and pioneering use of the soprano saxophone left an indelible mark on music history. From the streets of New Orleans to the concert halls of Paris, his playing transcended borders and influenced generations of musicians. His recordings remain essential listening for jazz enthusiasts, and his legacy endures as a testament to the power of artistic individuality in jazz.

Whether through his haunting ballads or exuberant blues, Bechet’s music continues to captivate listeners, ensuring that his genius will never be forgotten.