TOOTS THIELEMANS - HARMONICA MASTER

Toots Thielemans was known for his harmonica playing, as well as his guitar, whistling skills, and composing. His most important contribution was making the harmonica a legitimate voice in jazz and world music. He played with Benny Goodman's band and recorded and performed live with musicians such as Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Werner, Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, Elis Regina and Paquito D'Rivera. Among the film soundtracks that Thielemans recorded are The Pawnbroker (1964), Midnight Cowboy (1969), Cinderella Liberty (1973), The Sugarland Express (1974) and Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977). His harmonica theme song for the popular Sesame Street TV show was heard for 40 years. He often performed and recorded with Quincy Jones, who once called him "one of the greatest musicians of our time." In 2009 he was designated a Jazz Master by The National Endowment for the Arts, the highest honor for a jazz musician in the United States. (Source Wikipedia). Cover drawing by Japie Goosen.