Bechet, Sidney
(1897–1959)
Bechet, Sidney (14 May 1897–14 May 1959) American jazz clarinetist and saxophonist, born in New Orleans. At age six he was playing in the honkytonks of Storyville in New Orleans. He moved to Chicago in 1917, and to New York in 1919; he led his own band and performed also with Noble Sissle, Duke Ellington, and others. After 1919 he spent much of his time playing in Europe, finally settling in France in 1947. He died in Garches, France, on 14 May 1959. Bechet’s first published record dates from…