Sidney Bechet (May 14, 1897 – May 14, 1959) was a jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer.
He was one of the first important soloists in jazz (beating cornetist/trumpeter Louis Armstrong to the recording studio by several months and later playing duets with Armstrong), and was perhaps the first notable jazz saxophonist of any sort. Forceful delivery, well-constructed improvisations, and a distinctive wide vibrato characterized Bechet's playing.
However, Bechet's mercurial temperament hampered his career, and not until the late 1940s did he earn wide acclaim.
Bechet was born in New Orleans. From a young age, Bechet quickly mastered any musical instrument he encountered. Some New Orleanians remembered him as a cornet hot-shot in his youth. At first he decided on the clarinet as his main instrument, and Bechet remained one of jazz's greatest clarinetists for decades. However, he is best remembered as the master of the soprano saxophone.
Bechet had experience playing in...
Created by dipity on Jan 24, 2008
Last updated: 03/11/10 at 10:21 AM
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Track listing: Ain't Misbehavin'Slippin' and Slidin'Egyptian FantasyShake It and Brake ItWild Man BluesChina BoyJa-DaWinin' Boy BluesPerdido Street BluesBlues in ThirdBaby, Won't You Please Come Home?Characteristic BluesOld Man BluesI Know What You KnowI'm Coming VirginiaWeary BluesSummertime
Track listing: Old Man BluesWild Man BluesNobody Knows the Way I Feel 'Dis MorningBlues in ThirdsSave It, Pretty MamaStompy JonesEgyptian FantasyBaby, Won't You Please Come Home?The Sheik of ArabyI Know That You KnowWhen It's Sleepy Time Down SouthI'm ComingLimehouse BluesGeorgia CabinStrange FruitBlues in the AirThe MoocheTwelfth Street RagMood IndigoRose RoomOh, Lady Be GoodWhat Is This Thing Called Love?After You've GoneV-Disk BluesSt. Louis Blues
Track listing: Wild Cat BluesTexas Moaner BluesMandy, Make Up Your MindI'm a Little BlackbirdThe Basement BluesShagPolka Dot RagOkey-DokeCharacteristic BluesDear Old SouthlandBlackstickViper MadChant in the NightJungle DrumsSummertimeSweet LorraineShake It and Break ItEgyptian FantasyBlue HorizonLove for Sale
Track listing: Wild Cat BluesMaple Leaf RagShagBlackstickWhen the Sun Sets Down SouthJungle DrumsReally the BluesPerdido Street BluesSummertimeSaint Louis BluesIndian SummerWild Man BluesBlues in ThirdsStrange FruitThe MoocheTwelfth Street RagBlue HorizonMuskrat RambleThe Sheik of ArabyGone Away BluesTiger RagWhen the Saints Go Marching InBechet Creole BluesLes Oignons
Track listing: High SocietyDans Les Rues d'AntibesPanama RagWhen The Saints Go Marchin' InRoyal Garden Blues
Track listing: PrésentationBlues in the AirWild Man BluesEverybody Loves My BabyWild Cat RagI Don't Know Where I'm GoingViper MadHalle HallelujahKansas City Man BluesLes OignonsOld Fashioned LoveCharlestonSwanee RiverSouthern SunsetOl' Man River
Track listing: Out of the GallionBlues of the Roaring TwentiesTommy's BluesMinor SwoonJelly Roll BluesGroovin' the MinorReally the Blues, Part 1Really the Blues, Part 2Funky ButtPerdido Street StompWhere Am II'm Speaking My Mind
Sidney Bechet died
Sidney Bechet was born
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