* A Tribute To Sidney Bechet Poem by RAJ NANDY

A TRIBUTE TO SIDNEY BECHET
(1897 – 1959)

A clarinetist and a composer, who was the first,
To introduce a thin oboe-like soprano sax, -
Today used mostly as a second instrument for
Jazz. *
A pioneer, who had brought a new vibrant color,
That leaped from his sax with a ferocious, full-
blooded insistence, -
As if he was attempting to cram every emotion
in it!
His playing resembled the sound of the human
voice,
Which brought in a novelty and fervor to the
music of jazz!

Sidney was taught by the Creole clarinet master
Lorenzo Tio;
And after having toured Texas and SW States
imparting shows;
In 1919 as a clarinet soloist, he joined Will
Marion Cook’s orchestra for touring Europe!
And there in a London junk shop he did find, -
A soprano sax who’s sound was divine!
The volume of the sax made him a leading soloist,
He remained no longer as a counterpoint clarinetist !
Between 1924 -1925 his greatest recordings of
early jazz was made, - **
Hear his classic recording of ‘Summertime’, -
Which makes him all time great!
-Raj Nandy
11 Aug 09
New Delhi
POEM - DEDICATED TO BOB BLACKWELL
of South Africa and a lover of Jazz!

* SAX WAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED WITH A WIDE
VARIETY, WHICH MAKES IT THE BACK-BONE OF JAZZ!
**SIDNEY was the only giant playing SOPRANO SAX, -
TILL JOHN COLTRANE popularized it in the 60s!
He has recorded with Louis Armstrong also! But his Solo recordings
Like, - ‘Summertime’ & ‘Blue Notes’, make him a Pioneering
Great! In 1951, he settled in Paris, and died of cancer in 1959!