Today is the birthday of Baron Toots Thielemans, a jazz musician and composer who was globally renowned for his virtuosity on the harmonica. The portrait above and his portrait on the musical reference works/birthday calendars below are made by me, Frieke.
Jean Baptiste Frédéric Isidor Thielemans was born on April 29, 1922, in Brussels. Thielemans started playing the accordion and guitar from the age of three, later transitioning to the chromatic harmonica. He was also a masterful whistler.
During the German occupation, Thielemans became captivated by jazz. Then known as Jean Thielemans, he embarked on a European tour with Benny Goodman in 1950, which marked his international breakthrough. From then on, he was referred to as Toots, after the musicians Toots Mondello and Toots Camarata. In 1952, he emigrated to the United States, where he played in Charlie Parker's band and George Shearing's quintet. In 1962, Toots Thielemans composed the now world-famous Bluesette.
He collaborated with many famous artists in the jazz and pop world, including Ella Fitzgerald, Quincy Jones, Bill Evans, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, and Stevie Wonder. His harmonica solo on Billy Joel's Leave a Tender Moment Alone is legendary. Quincy Jones famously referred to him as "One of the greatest soloists that ever fucking lived," while John Lennon cited Toots as a major inspiration, even buying his first Rickenbacker guitar after seeing Thielemans play one.
His music featured in numerous films, TV shows, and commercials. Thielemans' harmonica solo on the soundtrack of the film Midnight Cowboy (1969) is one of his most memorable contributions to film music. He also played a musical lead role in the film score for Turks fruit (1973) by composer Rogier van Otterloo, using his guitar, harmonica, and whistle. Additionally, the theme song from Baantjer a Dutch police series, and the theme song from Witse a Flemish police series, are widely recognized.
Throughout the years, Toots Thielemans received numerous honorary titles and awards. In 2001, King Albert II bestowed upon him the title of Baron, elevating him to the nobility. He also received the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award in 2009, one of the highest honors in the jazz world.
Toots Thielemans' final public performance took place on August 31, 2014, in the Belgian town of La Hulpe, during the Djangofolllies festival. At that time, he was already 92 years old. Despite his declining health and reduced ability to perform as actively as before, he continued to cherish his love for music until the end. His last performance was a tribute to his remarkable career and enduring influence on the jazz world. Thielemans passed away on August 22, 2016, in Brussels, at the respectable age of 94.
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