The Legendary Sidney Bechet

Most of this material was previously available in the package Sidney Bechet: Master Musician. Recorded between 1932 and 1941, these sessions capture one of the true men of genius in jazz history, at the top of his game in several awesome group contexts. The hot licks of "I Found a New Baby," "Shag," and "Maple Leaf Rag" are traded by Bechet and trumpeter Tommy Ladnier, co-leaders of the New Orleans Feetwarmers. On "Weary Blues" they are joined by reedman Mezz Mezzrow. On "The Sheik of Araby," from 1941, Bechet is a one-man band, overdubbing all the parts--clarinet, soprano and tenor sax, piano, bass, and drums. --John Swenson