presents
' Bechet '
A talk by James Holloway illustrated with gramophone records
Sydney Bechet , born in New Orleans in 1893, his grandparents on his mother's side French, is recognised as one of the finest soprano clarinettists in the world. In 1920 he took up this instrument, and, though he had never learnt to read music, he was soon playing with all the leading dance-band leaders in the States. He first came to Europe with the Southern Syncopated Orchestra in 1919-the first coloured orchestra that London had seen-and returned again in 1926. About four years ago, when he was a member of the Irving Mills special recording band, he became the vogue in America, the sale of his records reaching very big figures.