Talk with Sidney Bechet

Sidney Bechet (May 14, 1897 – May 14, 1959) was an influential American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Bechet was a key figure in the early development of jazz and one of the first important soloists in the genre, predating even Louis Armstrong.

Bechet began playing music in his childhood; he was proficient on clarinet by the age of six. His career started in earnest when he was a teenager, playing in various bands and traveling for performances. In the early 1920s, Bechet moved to Europe, where he found more recognition and success than he had in the United States. He spent several years in cities like London and Paris, becoming one of the first jazz musicians to achieve significant fame on the continent.

Bechet's playing style was intensely emotive and characterized by a very wide vibrato. His mastery of the soprano saxophone was particularly notable and he is credited with being one of the first musicians to demonstrate the potential of the instrument in jazz. His impact went beyond his instrumental prowess; he was also a gifted composer, with compositions such as "Petite Fleur" and "Si Tu Vois Ma Mère."

Throughout his career, Bechet's music retained the deep influence of New Orleans, combining elements of blues, ragtime, and French Creole melodies. Despite facing significant racial discrimination and other challenges, he remained a passionate and innovative artist until his death on his birthday in 1959.

Bechet's legacy lives on as one of the true greats of jazz, celebrated for his pioneering contributions to the art form and his distinctive musical voice which continues to inspire musicians around the world.

Sidney Bechet began his musical career in New Orleans, a city often described as the birthplace of jazz. Born into a musical family on May 14, 1897, Bechet showed an early talent for music. As a child, he was fascinated by the music he heard in his neighborhood and at local parades. He initially played the clarinet, as it was one of the predominant instruments in New Orleans jazz at the time.

By the age of six, Bechet had gained some proficiency on the clarinet, taught by local musicians such as Lorenzo Tio Jr., and other noted New Orleans musicians who were friends of the family. His professional debut is reported to have occurred at the age of six or seven when he played alongside his brother Leonard in a local band. His skill and unique style of play quickly became recognized among local musicians.

Bechet's talent was further developed as he began performing in many of New Orleans' famed music venues, including various dance halls, brothels, and cabarets. In his teenage years, he was already well known within the local music circles and began to influence other musicians with his powerful and emotive style. This foundation set the stage for his later successes and innovations in the jazz genre as he moved beyond New Orleans to perform nationally and internationally.

Sidney Bechet, a seminal figure in early jazz, drew influence from a variety of sources and contemporaries across the New Orleans jazz scene and beyond. Some of the notable influences and peers in his early years included:

1. Freddie Keppard - An early jazz cornet player, Keppard was one of the prominent musicians in New Orleans when Bechet was developing his skills. Keppard's command of melody and improvisation made an impact on Bechet's musical approach.

2. Joe "King" Oliver - Another key figure from New Orleans, Oliver was a leading cornet player and bandleader who influenced many young jazz musicians of the time, including Bechet. Oliver's style and technical skill were integral to the evolution of early jazz.

3. Louis Armstrong - Although slightly younger than Bechet, Armstrong's innovative approach to jazz trumpet and his virtuosic skill had a significant impact on Bechet and the jazz community at large. Their careers overlapped, and they influenced each other's musical styles.

4. Jelly Roll Morton - As a pianist and composer, Morton was a central figure in the New Orleans jazz scene. His compositions, which blended ragtime with jazz, provided a rich repertoire and stylistic framework that influenced Bechet, especially in terms of structure and harmony.

5. Johnny Dodds - A clarinetist contemporary of Bechet's, Dodds was known for his deeply emotive and fluid clarinet style, which resonated with Bechet’s own approach to music.

6. Clarence Williams - A pianist, composer, and music publisher, Williams played a crucial role in the New Orleans music scene and later in New York. He collaborated with Bechet on several recordings and helped him get many of his first recordings made.

Through interactions, recordings, and live performances, these musicians and many others helped shape Sidney Bechet's musical style and career. Bechet himself became a bridge between the earliest forms of jazz and the more structured swing era that followed.

Yes, Sidney Bechet did engage in teaching music throughout his career. While he is most famously known for his virtuosic skills on the soprano saxophone and clarinet, Bechet also took time to pass on his knowledge to younger musicians. This included both formal and informal teaching settings. His influence extended through his performances and recordings, but also personally through the instruction he offered to emerging jazz artists, contributing to the development of future generations in jazz music.

Sidney Bechet was one of the first musicians to establish the saxophone, specifically the soprano saxophone, as a critical instrument in jazz. Prior to Bechet, the saxophone was not as prominently featured in early jazz music, with most ensembles favoring clarinets, cornets, and trombones. Bechet's virtuosic playing and his ability to imbue the instrument with a strong, vocal-like expressiveness showcased the saxophone's potential as a lead voice in jazz.

Bechet's influence can be traced to his command over the instrument, characterized by his intense vibrato, swift runs, and powerfully emotive delivery. He approached music with a strong sense of melody that allowed the saxophone to sing, so to speak, which was somewhat distinctive from the collective polyphonic style of early New Orleans jazz. As a result, he helped shift jazz from ensemble-based to soloist-centered performances, where individual expression played a key role.

Moreover, Bechet’s international success, notably in Europe, helped spread jazz globally and established the saxophone as an essential voice in its expression. His performances and recordings became a benchmark for what the saxophone could achieve in jazz, influencing countless other musicians, such as Johnny Hodges and later John Coltrane, to explore the instrument’s possibilities. Thus, Sidney Bechet significantly shaped the development of jazz through his innovative and masterful saxophone playing.

Sidney Bechet, born in New Orleans in 1897, grew up in a musical environment which naturally steeped him in the rich musical traditions of the city. New Orleans, known for its deep cultural roots in jazz, provided a vibrant backdrop that significantly influenced his musical upbringing. Bechet came from a Creole family that exposed him to music from a young age. His brother Leonard, Jr. played the clarinet, and this familial connection led Bechet to the clarinet as well before he became predominantly known for the soprano saxophone.

Bechet received informal musical education primarily within the community and from his peers—learning the ropes in the traditional New Orleans style. This involves a hands-on approach where musicians picked up skills by playing in the streets, at social functions, and by listening and playing alongside more experienced musicians. From a young age, Bechet began playing with local bands, honing his craft and absorbing various musical elements that would later define his signature style. He was largely self-taught, which was common among many early jazz musicians of his time, relying on ear training rather than formal education in music theory or notation.

This background, infused with practical experience and personal exploration, shaped Bechet's approach to music, making him a seminal figure in the development of jazz. His virtuosity and distinctive individual style soon earned him international acclaim.

Discover and learn about people that are similar to Sidney Bechet.