Didier wrote:JimN wrote:The first melody heard at that URL [the video tribute to Paul] is Petite Fleur, written by Sidney Bechet. It has been recorded fairly recently (meaning within the past few years) by Hank as a gypsy jazz styled piece.
Sidney Bechet was a jazz musician from New Orleans who settled in France where he was very popular. He first played clarinet before switching to soprano saxophone. He composed many hits, "Petite fleur" being the biggest.
Didier
I didn't realise that Bechet was originally from New Orleans. I assumed he would have moved there from France before moving back. Perhaps Didier or any French speakers/members can answer a question for me: would Bechet have pronounced his surname with a hard 't'? I ask because Hank does. I've surmised that it was a continuation of the stage joke regarding Jean Michel Jarre's pronunciation of 'Hank' ('Onk'!) which triggered Hank's retaliation ('Gene Mitchell Jaruh'!). Was Hank having a quiet laugh with himself or was Sidney Bechet's surname really pronounced 'Bechette'?