Something Blue

DJ Hairy Larry Presents Joseph Jarman Playing Petite Fleur
From The Archives Of Something Blue 2026-08-16

Joseph Jarman – Inheritance

Thanks Marty, today we’re going to hear a free jazz pioneer. born in Poplar Bluff, Arkansas, play a Sidney Bechet tune.

Joseph Jarman, born in Poplar Bluff, was a founding member of the Art Ensemble of Chicago. He played sax and other instruments and you have probably seen photos of him on stage, in costume, with his face striped with white grease paint.

Art Ensemble Of Chicago – Chi-Congo

In 1991 he released an album, “Inheritance” under his own name and it includes some of his trademark free jazz saxophone work as well as two cover songs, showcasing his influences in the history of jazz.

“Petite Fleur” was written by Sidney Bechet and was an international hit. I’ve got two things to say about Sidney Bechet.

According to Wikipedia, “While working with Louis Armstrong, Bechet was one of the first musicians to develop the loose, fluid ‘swinging’ rhythmic style”. We’re talking about the very beginnings of jazz and there’s Sidney Bechet and Louis Armstrong inventing swing, a style that took us through the swing era and remains heavily associated with jazz today.

During that same time period, in 1919, Bechet joined “Will Marion Cook’s Syncopated Orchestra. The orchestra traveled to Europe, where they performed at the Royal Philharmonic Hall in London. … While in London, he discovered the straight soprano saxophone and developed a style unlike his clarinet tone. Bechet was the first influential soprano saxophonist, leading to its rising popularity as a jazz instrument.” Soprano sax was later adopted by jazz giants, John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter.

Then in 1952 Bechet wrote and recorded “Petite Fleur”, a much covered song that became a huge hit when Chris Barber released it in 1959.

In 1991, Joseph Jarman included “Petite Fleur” on his album, “Inheritance” and with his rendition he shows great respect for the song, performing a melodic interpretation.

So now, please enjoy the other side of Joseph Jarman with his bow to a great jazz saxophonist, Sidney Bechet, as he plays “Petite Fleur”.

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Joseph Jarmam – Inheritance

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