Toots, 91, calls it quits
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Toots Thielemans, the Belgian harmonica virtuoso, cancelled a concert in Antwerp last night. It was his second stand-down in three months and he decided it’s time to retire.
He earned his greatest fame on the soundtracks of Midnight Cowboy and Jean de Florette.
Ah, bye-bye, blackbird.
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photo courtesy tootsthielemans.com
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Toots made magic with his harmonica. As a tribute to him, I will buy a harmonica this week end and learn how to play it. My goal is to play the Mendelssohn violin Concerto on it.
This is a fine tribute to one of my favorite musicians. I did not realized he played on the “Jean de Florette” soundtrack. That gives me a good reason to watch that fine movie for the third time.
Do they still allow prisoners to play the harmonica in lock up?
Not only is he pretty unique on his instrument and genre but led an unbelievably productive career. I know of no followers. I am sure he had lots of fun and made others happy playing.
Toots” playing sends chills up my spine; all of this with an instrument that fits into one’s pocket and one can play underneath the bridges and the arches when one is down and out. Try fitting a double-bass or grand piano into your pocket!
Impeccable musicianship.
I thought it might be nice to add this wonderful piece of magic too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBhoDaS5SKQ