On May 14, 1959, Sidney Bechet, the groundbreaking soprano saxophonist and clarinetist, passed away in Paris at the age of 62. A New Orleans native and one of the first major soloists in jazz history, Bechet was known for his passionate, improvisational style and was among the earliest African American musicians to gain international acclaim. Though he briefly played with Duke Ellington early in his career, Bechet truly flourished in France, where he became a beloved cultural icon. His music helped lay the foundation for modern jazz and influenced generations of musicians on both sides of the Atlantic.
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