The Unique

Revered in France during the last decade of his life (he died in Paris on May 14,

1959 at the age of 62), Sidney Bechet was one of the first renowned jazz soloists

to make records (just a few months prior to Louis Armstrong, with whom he played

and recorded a lot in the early twenties), and learned many instruments during his

childhood. Bechet's first love was the clarinet, and his second (chronologically) the

soprano sax, which he acquired in London in 1919 during his earliest European

tours. Even though he never completely abandoned the clarinet, the soprano sax,

with its stronger sound, would become his primary voice. Bechet was the first

jazzman ever to master this instrument, which would be adopted later by such

musicians as John Coltrane and Steve Lacy.

Most of the superb music contained here was released on the 1958 album

The Fabulous Sidney Bechet (Blue Note BLP 1207), which was itself a reissue,

as it comprised a couple of earlier sessions originally issued on two 10" LPs and

recorded in New York in 1951 and 1953, during short visits by Bechet, who at that

time was already living as an expatriate in France.

Sidney Bechet, soprano sax

On all tracks plus:

A1-A5: Sidney Deparis, trumpet; Jimmy Archey, trombone; Don

Kirkpatrick, piano; Pops Foster, bass; Manzie Johnson, drums.

WOR Studios, New York, November 5, 1951. Original session recorded

by Doug Hawkins & produced by Alfred Lion.

B1-B6: Jonah Jones, trumpet; Jimmy Archey, trombone; Buddy

Weed, piano; Walter Page, bass; Johnny Blowers, drums.

Audio Video

Studios, New York, August 25, 1953. Original session produced by Alfred Lion.

Originally issued as The Fabulous Sidney Bechet (Blue Note BLP1207).

*BONUS TRACKS: Sidney Bechet (soprano sax on all tracks)

A6: Guy Longnon (tp), Bernard Zacharias (tb), Claude Luter (cl), Christian Azzi (p), Claude

Philippe (bj), Roland Bianchini (b), Moustache Galepides (d).

Paris, January 18, 1952.

A7: Guy Longnon (tp), Jean-Louis Durand (tb), Charlie Lewis (p), Alphonse "Totole"

Masselier (b), Armand Molinetti (d).

Paris, January 21, 1952.

B7: Meade Lux Lewis (p), Teddy Bunn (g), Johnny Williams (b), Sidney Catlett (d).

New

York, June 8, 1939.