RIP Toots Thielemans

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 22 Aug 2016 4:42 am

RIP Toots Theilmans. Beloved by musicians world wide. He had a huge impact on me and the sense of joy and beauty he brought to everything he did was inspiring. Toots played with the best jazz musicians on the world stage and was also on many commercials and famous film scores ... like Midnight Cowboy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb-5aQ1EIgc

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 22 Aug 2016 1:20 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTHfeTvipZQ

Slim Heilpern · Post by **Slim Heilpern** » 23 Aug 2016 6:16 am

While deservedly regarded as the king of jazz harmonica, he also (before his stroke) played jazz guitar and seemed to have a fondness for country pickers:

https://youtu.be/dQN1ejkaUd0

He also, unusually, plays diatonic harp on the above cut. The violinist is Svend Asmussen -- this is from their album "Toots and Svend, Yesterday & Today".

He had a very playful side to his playing, and absolutely incredible chops on the chromatic:

https://youtu.be/8EdUAWYWxjY

https://youtu.be/JNpKbvoIPE8

RIP Toots!

John Hopkin · Post by **John Hopkin** » 23 Aug 2016 1:16 pm

...Thielemans....

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 23 Aug 2016 2:17 pm

My "one step removed" Toots story...

I was recording with Jimmy Dean (Big Bad John and Big Good Sausage!) years ago, and he told me of a time back in the '60's when he was recording out west, and he asked Toots if he could play harp like "that guy in Nashville." (Charlie McCoy.) Toots replied that, sadly, he could not.

Jimmy said about a year after that, he was sitting on his boat, and here comes Toots, drunk, with a small paper grocery sack in his hand. Jimmy said he hobbled onto the boat, asked "Do you remember when you asked me if I could play like that kid in Nashville?" Jimmy said yes, and Toots opened the bag, pulled out a little Marine Band, and said, "I can now!"

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 23 Aug 2016 3:52 pm

That's sad news. Toots was my dad's friend. I remember him coming over to our house when I was a kid. I remember him as a really nice individual. One time he gave me one of his Hohner chromatic harmonicas, which thrilled the hell out of me. Coincidentally, I just passed it on to my son last week.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 24 Aug 2016 4:55 am

He whistled the"Old Spice Theme...don't think he's on"Midnight Cowboy"some guy named Manson...not Charles.Billy Joel"Leave the tender moment alone" R.I.P.Toots

Chris Boyd · Post by **Chris Boyd** » 24 Aug 2016 7:04 am

Amazing talent.... RIP Toots...and thank you...

Paul Wade · Post by **Paul Wade** » 24 Aug 2016 7:12 am

here is toots and koos biel they did a L.P together
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT09MyOE790

p.w

Len Ryder · Post by **Len Ryder** » 24 Aug 2016 9:55 am

Up to this point I'd not been familiar with this man. but now ----- WOW ! ! ! ! ! What a loss.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 24 Aug 2016 10:17 am

One of the world's greatest musicians is gone.

He played guitar with Charlie Parker, too, and a lot more than once. He was also a master of Brazilian music, and recorded with Elis Regina in 1969 (great album). There were no limits to what he could do. Check out his record with Bill Evans, Affinity.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 25 Aug 2016 8:15 am

Incomparable. I only discovered it here this morning. I don't know whether that's my failure, or the fault of the sports-and-election-obsessed media...
RIP Mr. Theilmans.

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 26 Aug 2016 9:32 am

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... highlight=

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 26 Aug 2016 9:47 am

Frank that was a very interesting post!
Toots Thieleman's backing Rick Derringer:
http://fast-mp3.org/rick-derringer-it-s ... 176181.htm

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 27 Aug 2016 12:21 am

Hmmm.I was wrong Toots did play on"Midnight Cowboy",and he also Whistled the"Old Spice"Theme.

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 27 Aug 2016 9:43 pm

An astounding and impressive talent, will be much missed.. Apart from his amazing discography and musical acumen, I was always deeply affected by the depth and beauty of his tone. What an inspiration.

John Brabant · Post by **John Brabant** » 28 Aug 2016 7:19 am

Wow, here you can hear and see his chops with Jaco Pastorius:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__WTZNk ... 207.187596

Don McClellan · Post by **Don McClellan** » 28 Aug 2016 3:37 pm

I saw him play chromatic harmonica about 30 years ago in SF and he also played jazz guitar and whistled every note he played as he played them. He was really one of a kind. RIP Toots.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 28 Aug 2016 7:50 pm

Man Bites Harmonica! One of the finest musicians of the 20th century. I was lucky enough to catch him years and years ago in Boston. His playing was unmistakable. Guitar too, just astounding.

Godfrey Arthur · Post by **Godfrey Arthur** » 1 Sep 2016 7:05 am

Godspeed Mr.Theilmans. What a wonderful and recognizable sound you pulled out of the harmonica.

The Steel Guitar Forum

RIP Toots Thielemans

RIP Toots Thielemans

Rip Toots