Sidney Bechet (May 14, 1897 – May 14, 1959) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer. He was one of the first important soloists in jazz, beating trumpeter Louis Armstrong to the recording studio by several months. His erratic temperament hampered his career, and not until the late 1940s did he earn wide acclaim.

On September 15, 1925, Bechet and other members of the Revue Nègre, including Josephine Baker, sailed to Europe, arriving at Cherbourg, France, on September 22. The revue opened at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Paris, on October 2nd. Bechet toured Europe with various bands, reaching as far as Russia in mid-1926. In 1928, he led his own small band at the Bricktop’s Club in Montmarte, Paris.

Bechet was jailed for 11 months in Paris when a woman passerby was wounded during a shoot-out. The most common version of the story, as related in Ken Burn’s documentary film Jazz, is that the shoot-out started when another musician-producer told Bechet that he was playing the wrong chord. Bechet challenged the man to a duel and said, “Sidney Bechet never plays the wrong chord.

In the 2016 film La La Land, the character played by Ryan Gosling tries to persuade the character played by Emma Stone that jazz is not “relaxing”, saying: “Sidney Bechet shot somebody because they told him he’d played a wrong note, that’s hardly relaxing

Sidney Bechet Awards

1968 – DownBeat Magazine Hall of Fame
1983 – Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame
2014 – Awarded a blue plaque outside his former London home

Quotes about Sidney Bechet

“Sidney Bechet was a genius. His playing was so soulful and expressive, it touched the hearts of listeners around the world.” – Miles Davis

“Sidney Bechet was one of the greatest saxophonists in the history of jazz. He had a unique sound and style that set him apart from all others.” – Charlie Parker

“Sidney Bechet was a true original, a musician who created his own sound and style. His music was both innovative and timeless.” – Herbie Hancock

“Sidney Bechet had a way of playing that was both passionate and precise. He could convey so much emotion with just a few notes.” – Norah Jones

“Sidney Bechet was a master of his craft. His music was both beautiful and complex, and he remains an inspiration to musicians around the world.” – Wynton Marsalis

“Sidney Bechet was a giant of jazz. His influence can be heard in the work of countless musicians who came after him.” – Michael Bublé

“Sidney Bechet had an incredible ability to improvise, and his solos were always full of surprises. He was a true innovator of jazz.” – Diana Krall

“Sidney Bechet’s music was full of passion and energy. He had a way of making his saxophone sing that was truly remarkable.” – Tony Bennett

“Sidney Bechet was a legend, a musician whose influence can still be felt in jazz today.” – Jamie Cullum

“Sidney Bechet was a true master of his instrument. He had a virtuosity that was unmatched, and his music will always be remembered.” – Benny Goodman

Sidney Bechet Personal Life

Sidney Bechet had a complex personal life, marked by both success and challenges. Here are some details about his personal life:

1. Family Life: Bechet was born in New Orleans in 1897 and grew up in a musical family. He was married twice, and he had several children from different relationships.
2. Music Career: Bechet’s music career was central to his personal life, and he devoted much of his time and energy to performing and recording. He was known for his virtuosic skills on the clarinet and saxophone, and his contributions to jazz music were significant.
3. Personality: Bechet was known for his fiery personality and his tendency to speak his mind. He was often embroiled in conflicts with other musicians, and he was known to have a difficult temper.
4. Travel: Bechet traveled extensively throughout his life, performing in Europe, Africa, and other parts of the world. He was known for his love of travel and adventure.
5. Legal Troubles: Bechet had several run-ins with the law throughout his life, including arrests for drug possession and other crimes. He also struggled with addiction and alcoholism, which affected his personal and professional life.
6. Health Struggles: Bechet suffered from several health issues throughout his life, including heart problems. After suffering from a stroke in 1959, he died on his 62nd birthday.

Overall, Sidney Bechet’s personal life was marked by both success and challenges, and his legacy as a pioneering figure in jazz music continues to be celebrated and studied by fans around the world.

Jazz in Paris

Paris in the 1920s was a vibrant cultural hub that attracted artists, writers, and musicians from around the world. Jazz music, which originated in the United States, was also popular in Paris during this time.

Many African American jazz musicians, who were facing discrimination and racism in the US, found Paris to be a more accepting and welcoming place to perform. Musicians such as Sidney Bechet, Josephine Baker, and Django Reinhardt gained fame and popularity in Paris, where they were able to perform in nightclubs and jazz clubs, such as the famous Le Bal Nègre and La Gaité Montparnasse.

The Revue Nègre was a French musical revue that was performed in Paris in the 1920s. It featured African American performers and showcased the music and dance styles of black culture.

One of the most famous performers in the Revue Nègre was Josephine Baker, who became an international star as a result of her performances in the revue. Baker’s energetic dance style and provocative costumes were a sensation in Paris, and she quickly became one of the most famous and highly paid performers of the era.

Parisian audiences were fascinated by the new sound of jazz music and the improvisational skills of the musicians. Jazz became a symbol of modernity and cosmopolitanism in Paris, and many French musicians began incorporating jazz elements into their own music.

The 1920s in Paris was also a time of artistic experimentation and collaboration, and jazz music played a role in this movement. Many jazz musicians performed alongside avant-garde artists, poets, and writers, such as Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Overall, jazz music in Paris in the 1920s was a reflection of the city’s vibrant cultural scene, and it played a significant role in shaping the artistic and cultural landscape of the era.

The Revue Nègre was a French musical revue that was performed in Paris in the 1920s. It featured African American performers and showcased the music and dance styles of black culture.

One of the most famous performers in the Revue Nègre was Josephine Baker, who became an international star as a result of her performances in the revue. Baker’s energetic dance style and provocative costumes were a sensation in Paris, and she quickly became one of the most famous and highly paid performers of the era.

Other performers in the Revue Nègre included the jazz musician Sidney Bechet, the singer Bricktop, and the dancer and choreographer Jeanne Nègritude. The revue also featured a chorus line of black performers who showcased their singing and dancing talents.

The Revue Nègre was significant not only for its entertainment value but also for its role in breaking down racial barriers and promoting black culture in a predominantly white society. The revue helped to popularize jazz music and dance styles in France, and it played a key role in shaping the cultural landscape of the 1920s.

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