For Sidney Bechet

First stanza That note you hold, narrowing and rising, shakes

Like New Orleans reflected on the water,

And in all ears appropriate falsehood wakes,

Building for some a legendary Quarter

Of balconies, flower baskets and quadrilles,

Everyone making love and going shares --

Second stanza Oh, play that thing! Mute glorious Storyvilles

Others may license, grouping around their chairs

Sporting house girls like circus tigers (priced

Far above rubies) to pretend their fabs,

While scholars manqus nod around unnoticed

Wrapped up in personnels like old plaids.

Third stanza On me your voice falls as they say love should,

Like an enormous yes. My Crescent City

Is where your speech alone is understood,

And greeted as the natural noise of good,

Scattering long haired grief and scored pity.

Sidney Bechet Born May 14th 1897, died on May 14th 1959 Was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinettist and composer Came from New Orleans, Louisiana Was part of the music group; Red Onion Jazz Babies He made traditional music (not modern which Larkin disliked) Some say hes the first notable jazz saxophonist

Philip Larkin Larkin was the jazz critic for the Daily Telegraph between 1961 1971 Written in 1954 (published 1964) Larkin said There are not many perfect things in jazz, but Bechet playing

the blues could be one of them in the Guardian (1960)

For Sidney BechetFirst stanzaSecond stanzaThird stanzaSidney BechetPhilip Larkin