Celebrating Sidney Bechet - Olivier et Jean-Baptiste Franc - New York City Article

Oliver Franc
The Triad (Stage 72)
158 West 72nd Street, 212-279-4200
Thursday May 31

Celebrating the great New Orleans clarinetist and multi-reed pioneer Sidney Bechet: In recognition of the 121st birthday anniversary of his birth (May 14, 1897) and the 59th anniversary of his death (May 14, 1959 - yes, he died on his birthday - ouch.), the Triad Theater is presenting the gifted French jazz virtuoso Oliver Franc. Bechet spent his final decades in France, where he became a national hero, so it’s not surprising that his greatest champions and disciples are French jazzmen. For this special program, Mr. Franc is not only playing Bechet’s actual b-flat soprano instrument, but is bringing along two exceptional pianists, the stride master Jean-Baptiste Franc (Oliver’s son) and Allan Tate, who specializes in blues and gospel and is best known for his work with the remarkable Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Monsieur Franc is bound to play all of Bechet’s best known works, including his hit single, “Petite Fleur,” and the one you know from Midnight in Paris, “Si tu vois ma mère.”

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