Search - Sidney Bechet :: Fabulous Sidney Bechet

Sidney Bechet settled permanently in France in 1949, making only occasional trips back to the United States to record and tour. This CD pairs two Blue Note sessions led by the pioneer soprano saxophonist during those visits, including his last American studio recordings. Though both bands feature Bechet in the classic frontline of New Orleans and Chicago jazz with trumpet and trombone, each group gets a distinct character from one of the great bassists of early jazz. The first nine tracks, from 1951, present Bechet in the midst of dedicated New Orleans traditionalists. Trumpeter Sidney de Paris provides sterling leads and Pops Foster's slap bass is literally popping, creating a mood that's both stately and joyous. Trombonist Jimmy Archey, a veteran of the Kid Ory band, is the one holdover on eight tracks from a 1953 session, which is a relative update on the form. Trumpeter Jonah Jones adds fluid swing and pianist Buddy Weed some near-boppish harmonies, but it's Walter Page, creator of the "walking bass" style, who really drives the band with a different kind of force on tunes like "Sweet Georgia Brown." Whatever the setting, Bechet is a marvel, his broad sound at once sparkling and mellow. Whether he's exploring the deep blues of "Naughty Sweetie" and "Black and Blue," or playing with puckish wit and ebullient spirit on "Ballin' the Jack" and "Deep Dong Daddy," Bechet is one of the defining instrumental voices of jazz, delighting in musical surroundings that are at once congenial and inspiring. --Stuart Broomer