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Sidney Bechet
Apr. 15th, 2010 02:50 pmSidney Bechet was one of the great geniuses and giants of jazz, one of the first to take what was a New Orleans musical folk tradition and turn it into a virtuoso art form loved around the world.
5 years ago, one of his saxophones sold for Euro 120,000 (US$140,000).
"Bechet to me was the very epitome of jazz... everything he played in his whole life was completely original. I honestly think he was the most unique man to ever be in this music." —Duke Ellington
The Bechet childhood home still stands on Marais Street, 7th Ward, New Orleans. Sidney Bechet grew up here with his brother trombonist Leonard Bechet. His first band, the Silver Bell Orchestra, rehearsed here.
There's no plaque.
There's also no door, and only part of a roof.
A view of the interior:
Can you imagine, say, Mozart's house in Salzburg being left to decay like this?
5 years ago, one of his saxophones sold for Euro 120,000 (US$140,000).
"Bechet to me was the very epitome of jazz... everything he played in his whole life was completely original. I honestly think he was the most unique man to ever be in this music." —Duke Ellington
The Bechet childhood home still stands on Marais Street, 7th Ward, New Orleans. Sidney Bechet grew up here with his brother trombonist Leonard Bechet. His first band, the Silver Bell Orchestra, rehearsed here.
There's no plaque.
There's also no door, and only part of a roof.
A view of the interior:
Can you imagine, say, Mozart's house in Salzburg being left to decay like this?
