Sidney Bechet - The Chronological Classics '1991-2005

Tracks list

Sidney Bechet was the first important jazz soloist on records in history
(beating Louis Armstrong by a few months). A brilliant soprano saxophonist and
clarinetist with a wide vibrato that listeners either loved or hated, Bechets
style did not evolve much through the years but he never lost his enthusiasm or
creativity. A master at both individual and collective improvisation within the
genre of New Orleans jazz, Bechet was such a dominant player that trumpeters
found it very difficult to play with him. Bechet wanted to play lead and it was
up to the other horns to stay out of his way.

Sidney Bechet studied clarinet in New Orleans with Lorenzo Tio, Big Eye Louis
Nelson, and George Baquet and he developed so quickly that as a child he was
playing with some of the top bands in the city. He even taught clarinet, and one
of his students (Jimmie Noone) was actually two years older than him. In 1917,
he traveled to Chicago, and in 1919 he joined Will Marion Cooks orchestra,
touring Europe with Cook and receiving a remarkably perceptive review from Ernst
Ansermet. While overseas he found a soprano sax in a store and from then on it
was his main instrument. Back in the U.S., Bechet made his recording debut in
1923 with Clarence Williams and during the next two years he appeared on records
backing blues singers, interacting with Louis Armstrong and playing some
stunning solos. He was with Duke Ellingtons early orchestra for a period and at
one point hired a young Johnny Hodges for his own band. However, from 1925-1929
Bechet was overseas, traveling as far as Russia but getting in trouble (and
spending jail time) in France before being deported.

Most of the 1930s were comparatively lean times for Bechet. He worked with Noble
Sissle on and off and had a brilliant session with his New Orleans Feetwarmers
in 1932 (featuring trumpeter Tommy Ladnier). But he also ran a tailors shop
which was more notable for its jam sessions than for any money it might make.
However, in 1938 he had a hit recording of Summertime, Hugues Panassie featured
Bechet on some records and soon he was signed to Bluebird where he recorded
quite a few classics during the next three years. Bechet worked regularly in New
York, appeared on some of Eddie Condons Town Hall concerts, and in 1945 he tried
unsuccessfully to have a band with the veteran trumpeter Bunk Johnson (whose
constant drinking killed the project). Jobs began to dry up about this time, and
Bechet opened up what he hoped would be a music school. He only had one main
pupil, but Bob Wilber became his protégé.

Sidney Bechets fortunes changed drastically in 1949. He was invited to the Salle
Pleyel Jazz Festival in Paris, caused a sensation, and decided to move
permanently overseas. Within a couple years he was a major celebrity and a
national hero in France, even though the general public in the U.S. never did
know who he was. Bechets last decade was filled with exciting concerts, many
recordings, and infrequent visits back to the U.S. before his death from cancer.
His colorful (if sometimes fanciful) memoirs Treat It Gentle and John Chiltons
magnificent Bechet biography The Wizard of Jazz (which traces his life nearly
week-by-week) are both highly recommended. Many of Sidney Bechets recordings are
currently available on CD.


Tracks:


Sidney Bechet – 1923-1936 {The Chronological Classics, 583}

Sidney Bechet – 1937-1938 {The Chronological Classics, 593}

Sidney Bechet – 1938-1940 {The Chronological Classics, 608} 

Sidney Bechet – 1940 {The Chronological Classics, 619}

Sidney Bechet – 1940-1941 {The Chronological Classics, 638} (192 kbps)

Sidney Bechet – 1941-1944 {The Chronological Classics, 860} 

Sidney Bechet – 1947-1949 {The Chronological Classics, 1112} 

Sidney Bechet – 1949 {The Chronological Classics, 1140}

Sidney Bechet – 1949 Vol. 2 {The Chronological Classics, 1186} (192 kbps)

Sidney Bechet – 1949 Vol. 3 {The Chronological Classics, 1223} (192 kbps)

Sidney Bechet – 1950-1951 {The Chronological Classics, 1326}

Sidney Bechet – 1951-1952 {The Chronological Classics, 1358} (192 kbps)

Sidney Bechet – 1952 {The Chronological Classics, 1384} (192 kbps)

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