Sidney Bechet was an American clarinetist and soprano saxophonist, widely regarded as one of the pioneers of New Orleans jazz and traditional jazz. Active from the 1910s onward, he stood out for his powerful tone, highly expressive vibrato and great improvisational freedom, helping establish the soloist as a central figure in jazz. Spending part of his life in France, he also achieved major success in Europe with pieces such as Petite Fleur, Si tu vois ma mère and Les Oignons.