Sidney Bechet

Sidney Bechet
Bechet at Jimmy Ryan's club, New York, 1947, photograph by William P. Gottlieb
Bechet at Jimmy Ryan's club, New York, 1947, photograph by William P. Gottlieb
Background information
Born(1897-05-14)May 14, 1897
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedMay 14, 1959(1959-05-14) (aged 62)
Garches, France
GenresJazz, New Orleans jazz
Occupation(s)Musician, composer
Instrument(s)Clarinet, soprano saxophone
Years active1908–1957
Formerly ofLouis Armstrong, Tommy Ladnier

Sidney Joseph Bechet (/bɛˈʃ/ beh-SHAY; May 14, 1897 – May 14, 1959) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer. He was one of the first important soloists in jazz, and first recorded several months before trumpeter Louis Armstrong.[1] His erratic temperament hampered his career, and not until the late 1940s did he earn wide acclaim. Bechet spent much of his later life in France.[2]

  1. ^ Yanow, Scott. "Sidney Bechet". AllMusic.com. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  2. ^ Hudson, Rob (January 14, 2008). "Sidney Bechet (1897-1959) •". Retrieved November 12, 2021.