[Dixielandjazz] Bechet's main instrument

[Andy.Ling at quantel.com]

Steve Barbone said :-

> Being the devil's advocate, IMO Bechet's main instrument was the Soprano
> even though he first learned on Clarinet and played it exclusively until
> about 1920. He bought the "low pitch" horn during that year in London 
and
> had it modified with a a double octave key.
> 

I'm with you Steve. I guess it depends how you define "main instrument"
I would guess he played clarinet longest and Bob Smith's reply pretty
much confirms this, but I wonder which he recorded most.

I think he is remembered most for the Soprano, so does that make it
his "main instrument"?

I wonder what would have happened if the quiz contestant had
answered Soprano sax? Unfortunately the quiz was a re-run
of a program recorded in the 90s, so there is little point
in writing in and complaining.

> According to Bechet (from John Chilton's Bio)
> 
> "Some of Bechet's colleagues in London regarded the purchase as a mixed
> blessing, but Sidney was determined to achieve prominence on the 
instrument
> and began featuring himself on the tune 'Song of Songs'. . . he was 
aware
> that there was opposition to his new instrument and said later : ' Boy, 
when
> I first started that Soprano, I'm telling you that the guys used to tell 
me,
> Please play the clarinet. I used to say, Please leave me alone'"
> 
> Bechet later gave his reason for preferring the soprano saxophone to the
> clarinet: "I could express myself, and I had a better audience."
> 
> IMO, since Bechet is best known for his Soprano work, and he preferred 
the
> instrument to clarinet, and for the last 35 years of his playing life 
played
> it much, much more often than clarinet, it should be classified as his 
main
> instrument. Especially since Bechet had a dominant personality. The Sop 
Sax
> enabled him to dominate in a band setting. It suited him perfectly.
> 

These quotes seem to suggest Bechet thought of the Soprano as his main
instrument in later life. I guess there are really two answers and it all
depends.

Andy Ling


-- 
This e-mail is intended for the named addressees only. Its contents may be 
privileged or confidential and should be treated as such. If you are not 
an intended recipient please notify the sender immediately;  do not copy, 
distribute, or take any action based on this e-mail; and then delete it. 
In the pursuit of its legitimate business activities and its conformance 
with relevant legislation, Quantel Ltd. may access any e-mail (including 
attachments) it originates and receives, for potential scrutiny.