This New Orleans hot-jazz prodigy was the first musician to make the soprano saxophone sing and swing. After picking up the instrument in the late '20s, Bechet took advantage of its unique vocal qualities and made it growl and shout in tunes like "Texas Moaner Blues" (with Louis Armstrong) and "Viper Mad." One of early jazz's more emotional players, Bechet illuminated all the drama and pathos in "Summertime," a hit in 1938, and "Strange Fruit." A move to Paris called forth "Petite fleur" and other songs inspired by his love of the country.