Dear Sir, Dear Madam,

We have the pleasure to announce the release of the box set

Sidney Bechet en Suisse / in Switzerland.

On May 14, 1949, the day of his 52nd birthday, Sidney Bechet gave a legendary concert at the Victoria Hall in Geneva. On May 14, 1959, he passed away at his home in Garches, near Paris.

During the intervening 10 years, Sidney Bechet would leave the United States to settle in Europe, where he would enjoy unprecedented popularity.

He also maintained a priviledged relationship with Switzerland, to the extent that he considered settling on the shores of Lake Geneva, where he had made friends.

Numbered edition box set, from 1 to 2000, presented in a slipcase with hot-stamped gold printing, including:

• 4 audio CDs of recordings preserved and restored from the best available sources. High definition mastering.
  • Over 4 hours and 15 minutes of rare or previously unreleased concerts, radio shows, and interviews from the vaults of Radio-Genève, Radio-Lausanne, and a number of private sources.


• A 216-page hardcover art book, format 12" x 12".
  • Approx. 250 photos and 140 documents, all rare or previously unseen.
  • Bilingual essay (English / French) by Fabrice Zammarchi with the collaboration of Roland Hippenmeyer, biographers of the artist. English version by Jennifer Gay.
  • Previously unpublished interviews with his Swiss friends.
  • Forewords by Daniel Bechet, his son, Bob Wilber, his student, and Claude Wolff, his manager.

This box set is now available in our online shop: http://shop.unitedmusic.ch.

Here is a preview:

This project was notably produced with the support of the City of Geneva, the Republic and canton of Geneva, the City of Lancy, and Pozzoli SpA.

All benefits from the sale of this box set will be used for future projects in favor of the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of recorded musical heritage.

For more information about our Foundation's activities, please visit our website: www.unitedmusic.ch .

With our best wishes of the Season and kindest regards,

United Music Foundation