Aside from Louis Armstrong, one of the greatest soloists to rise out of the New Orleans was Sidney Bechet. Bechet was a great clarinetist and, at least until John Coltrane arrived on the scene, the greatest soprano saxophonist in the business. Melodie Jazz' The Chronological Classics: Sidney Bechet 1923-1936 and RCA/Jazz Tribune's inexpensive double CD set, The Complete Sidney Bechet (1932-1941), are great collections of the early years. Blue Note's Best of Sidney Bechet hits the highlights of the '40s and '50's. (Karl Pallmeyer)