Sidney Bechet

Sidney Bechet (1897-1958) was born in New Orleans to a middle-class Creole family. He was a famous American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer. He was one of the first soloists in jazz and recorded before Louis Armstrong; moreover, they later played duets together. He was known for his forceful delivery, well-constructed improvisations, and a distinctive, wide vibrato. He composed in jazz, pop-tune, and extended concert work forms. He was very proficient with his instruments and a master of improvisation (both individual and collective). He wanted his sound to dominate in a performance and musicians often found it difficult to play alongside him.

New Orleans born
The Bechet family was an educated Creole family. Sidney’s older brother, Leonard Victor Bechet, was a full-time dentist and a part-time trombonist and bandleader. With instruments and musicians around the house, Sidney was engulfed in the music ODF the day and could pick all types of instruments. He taught himself to play the clarinet. At the early age of 6 years old, he started playing with his brother’s band at family parties and was recognized as talented. He later studied with renowned Creole clarinetists Lorenzo Tio, “Big Eyes” Louis Nelson Delisle, and George Baquet.

Bechet later worked with many New Orleans ensembles including parade work with Henry Allen’s celebrated Brass Band, the Olympia Orchestra, and John Robichaux’s “genteel” dance orchestra. In 1911-1912, Bechet preformed with Bunk Johnson in the Eagle Band of New Orleans, and in 1913-1914, with King Oliver in the Olympia Band.

Travel Abroad
From 1914-1917, Bechet toured as far away as Chicago and frequently performed with Freddie Keppard, another famous Creole musician. In 1915, Bechet toured with Marian Cook’s Syncopated Orchestra and traveled to Europe where they performed at the Royal Philharmonic Hall in London.
While Bechet was in London, he discovered the straight soprano saxophone and quickly developed a new style described as “emotional”, “reckless”, and “large”.

USA Return
After legal trouble, Bechet returned to the United States in July 1923, and recorded with Clarence Williams, a pianist and songwriter best known for his music publishing and record producing. Bechet recorded “Wild Cat Blues”, a multi-thematic ragtime tradition, with four themes, at sixteen bars each, and “Kansas City Man Blues”, a genuine 12-bar blues. He interpreted and played uniquely with outstanding creativity and innovation for the time. He also played alongside Louis Armstrong in Clarence Williams Blues Five.

Europe Again
In September 1925, Bechet and other members of the Revue Negre, including Josephine Baker, performed at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees in Paris, France. He continued to perform throughout Europe and Russia and led his own small band at the famous Bricktop’s Club in Montmarte, Paris in 1928. After being jailed for hitting a Parisian woman while is a duel with another musician, Bechet returns to the United States and in 1931, to lead a band with trumpeter Tommy Ladnier at the Savoy Ballroom in New York City.
By the end of the 1940s, Bechet was tired of struggling to make a living as a musician in the United States. His contract with Jazz Limited, a Chicago-based recording company, limited him and his ability to perform. He felt that he had nothing else to offer and he was getting stale. He relocated in France in 1950 and his performance at the Paris Jazz fair resulted in a surge in popularity. After that he had no problem finding well-paying gigs in France. Shortly before his death, Bechet dictated his poetic autobiography, Treat It Gentle. He died in Paris from lung cancer in May 1959 on his sixty-second birthday.