Toots Thielmans, jazz harmonica legend artist died August 22
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
Eugene, Oregon
August 24, 2016 2:25pm CST
He was 94 years old and played jazz harmonica (of all things) like no one else. Born in Brussels, Belgium, his first instrument was the accordion. He moved on to guitar and toured in Europe with some great artists. He was a member of the George Shearing Quintet, and an accomplished guitarist.
He whistled too and you will hear some of both harmonica and whistling on the link below. Toots worked with many great jazz artists like Bill Evans and Oscar Peterson and is featured on many records in my collection. He did a beautiful collection with Brazilian musicians on the "Brazil Project" in the 1970s.
If you ever watched Sesame Street, you heard him playing the theme song for 40 years and then too, he played the haunting theme for "Midnight Cowboy."
I will miss Toots!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKnG_9q4crA
8 people like this
6 responses
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
25 Aug 16
@JamesHxstatic yes,it took me awhile there.I have some of his recording.I have never heard of Toots.I have to check my man there as he records a lot of music for me.thanks again
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
24 Aug 16
That was a fun fact to learn about, one I did not know.
1 person likes this
@norcal (4889)
• Franklinton, North Carolina
24 Aug 16
@JamesHxstatic I always liked the harmonica on it, but I didn't know who played it. Now I do, thanks to you.
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
25 Aug 16
Evens was that player yes. He had a long and successful career. If you like Brazilian music, check out the Brasil Project sometime.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43586)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Aug 16
That's too bad. He sure was talented.
1 person likes this
