Greetings once more! As we navigate the highs and lows of another day, let’s elevate our spirits with a fresh 7-inch jazz record selection. Building on yesterday’s exploration of New Orleans’ rich musical influence, today we spotlight a musician whose prodigious talent paralleled the legendary Louis Armstrong. However, his demeanor and approach to the entertainment industry were markedly different from Armstrong’s more accommodating nature. Ladies and gentlemen, meet SIDNEY BECHET!

Today’s pick is not just about the music, but also about the captivating cover art that accompanies it. Remarkably, I discovered a link to the music on YouTube for your listening pleasure. This selection comes from the soundtrack of a French crime/detective B-movie. Although Sidney Bechet himself admitted that the film wasn’t exactly a cinematic masterpiece, he fondly recalled the experience with a simple, “we had fun.”

The fascinating journey of Sidney Bechet in France began with a dramatic incident in the late 1920s, where an unfortunate episode of gunplay resulted in a bystander being shot. This led to his expulsion from the country. However, the story didn’t end there. Bechet made a triumphant return to France in the early 1950s and chose to make it his permanent home.

Immerse yourself in a couple of tracks from this unique soundtrack here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b15XP557OMk

Keywords: jazz record selection, New Orleans influence, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, French crime/detective B-movie, gunplay incident, expulsion, permanent settlement in France.