Welcome to the mesmerizing world of Sidney Bechet's 'Bechet and Blues'. This extraordinary album invites you to embark on a musical journey through the legendary performances of one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, displaying the palpable energy and spontaneity of Bechet and his band as they create an infectious synergy that resonates deep within the listener's soul. Sidney has always been known for effortlessly bringing unfiltered emotion and raw virtuosity to every performance, but his time in Paris throughout the 1950s is a noteworthy and standout chapter of that story. Collected here are a number of blues favorites amongst some lesser known gems that allow you to transport yourself along the banks of the Seine and straight into the lively atmosphere of a Parisian jazz club, witnessing a true legend of jazz in his prime.

Although domiciled in France for much of his career, the unique Sidney Bechet was one of the most skilful and influential clarinettists in New Orleans where he was born in 1897. His style and tone set the model for the Dixieland and Trad Jazz movements of the 1950s and were hugely influential on players such as Chris Barber. This second collection of Sidney Bechet (see FABCD 135) features more of his greatest moments. Bechet was recently the subject of a Radio 2 series narrated by Warren Mitchell. Tracks include "Maple Leaf Rag", "One O' Clock Jump", "Saturday Night Blues", "Mood Indigo" and "China Boy".