Toots Thielemans

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Toots Thielemans This pdf was last updated: Jan/31/2011. Toots Thielemans He virtually knows to play the harmonica with the dexterity of a saxophonist. After recent concerts in Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro he is now back for Europe - playing better than ever! Line-up Toots Thielemans - harmonica Clemens van der Feen - double bass Hans Van Oosterhout - drums Karel Boehlee - keyboards Chris Weeda - soundengineer Dirk Godts - manager On Stage: 4 Travel Party: 6 Website www.tootsthielemans.com Biography Born in Brussels, Belgium in 1922, Jean 'Toots' Thielemans was raised on the Swing-Era stylings of gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt and the father of modern amplified jazz guitar, Charlie Christian. At age three, he played accordion in his parents' sidewalk cafe. Not pushed towards music as a career, Toots planned to study mathematics at Brussels University. During the German occupation of Belgium during World War II, Thielemans buys a harmonica and discovers jazz. He soon receives a guitar from a friend and learns to play from listening to Django Reinhardt's discs. During the late 1940s, he gravitated to American bebop. In 1949, Benny Goodman heard a recording by him and it was his first international break. Arriving in America in 1951, Toots had one memorable week-long gig with Charlie Parker's All-Star band playing alongside Miles Davis and Milt Jackson. From late 1952, until the middle of 1959, Thielemans played steadily with pianist, George Shearing. He broke through to an appreciative worldwide audience in 1963, with his composition, 'Bluesette,' an engaging jazz waltz that popularized his signature technique of whistling the melody simultaneously with his single-stringed guitar lines. The tune has since become a jazz classic, recorded innumerable times by musicians all over the world. By now, Toots's harmonica is familiar to moviegoers, jazz and pop fans and mainstream audiences. His haunting sound can be heard on the film scores of 'Midnight Cowboy,' 'The Sugarland Express' and 'The Getaway.' In addition to 'Q,' he's recorded with the late Bill Evans and Ella Fitzgerald, Paul Simon, Shirley Horn, Pat Metheny and Billy Joel. His credits even include an endearing harmonica solo on the opening theme from Sesame Street. A perennial poll winner, Toots has also experimented with the sounds of Brazil via his critically-acclaimed Brasil Project; pairing him with some of the most accomplished composers and singers in Brazilian music. The band provides a warm, improvisational backdrop for his beautiful harmonica melodies. When once asked by a journalist to describe where he was musically, Toots responded with the classic line, 'somewhere between a smile and a tear!' Let Toots's romantic playing take you there, too. Discography 1995 Concerto For Harmonica [live] - TCB 1996 Two Generations - Limetree 1998 Chez Toots - Private Music 1999 The live takes, vol.1 - Private Music 2000 The very best of Toots Thielemans - Universal 2001 Toots Thielemans & Kenny Werner - Emarcy/Universal 2006 One more for the road - Universal 2008 Jazz Olympics - AMG Records 2010 European Quartet Live - Challenge Jazz Nova Concerts International - Booking Agency for Jazz, Worldmusic & Pop Tel: +33 553585256 - [email protected] - www.novaconcerts.com.
Recommended publications
  • The 2016 NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert Honoring the 2016 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters
    04-04 NEA Jazz Master Tribute_WPAS 3/25/16 11:58 AM Page 1 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts DAVID M. RUBENSTEIN , Chairman DEBORAH F. RUTTER , President CONCERT HALL Monday Evening, April 4, 2016, at 8:00 The Kennedy Center and the National Endowment for the Arts present The 2016 NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert Honoring the 2016 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters GARY BURTON WENDY OXENHORN PHAROAH SANDERS ARCHIE SHEPP Jason Moran is the Kennedy Center’s Artistic Director for Jazz. WPFW 89.3 FM is a media partner of Kennedy Center Jazz. Patrons are requested to turn off cell phones and other electronic devices during performances. The taking of photographs and the use of recording equipment are not allowed in this auditorium. 04-04 NEA Jazz Master Tribute_WPAS 3/25/16 11:58 AM Page 2 2016 NEA JAZZ MASTERS TRIBUTE CONCERT Hosted by JASON MORAN, pianist and Kennedy Center artistic director for jazz With remarks from JANE CHU, chairman of the NEA DEBORAH F. RUTTER, president of the Kennedy Center THE 2016 NEA JAZZ MASTERS Performances by NEA JAZZ MASTERS: CHICK COREA, piano JIMMY HEATH, saxophone RANDY WESTON, piano SPECIAL GUESTS AMBROSE AKINMUSIRE, trumpeter LAKECIA BENJAMIN, saxophonist BILLY HARPER, saxophonist STEFON HARRIS, vibraphonist JUSTIN KAUFLIN, pianist RUDRESH MAHANTHAPPA, saxophonist PEDRITO MARTINEZ, percussionist JASON MORAN, pianist DAVID MURRAY, saxophonist LINDA OH, bassist KARRIEM RIGGINS, drummer and DJ ROSWELL RUDD, trombonist CATHERINE RUSSELL, vocalist 04-04 NEA Jazz Master Tribute_WPAS
    [Show full text]
  • The History of Women in Jazz in Britain
    The history of jazz in Britain has been scrutinised in notable publications including Parsonage (2005) The Evolution of Jazz in Britain, 1880-1935 , McKay (2005) Circular Breathing: The Cultural Politics of Jazz in Britain , Simons (2006) Black British Swing and Moore (forthcoming 2007) Inside British Jazz . This body of literature provides a useful basis for specific consideration of the role of women in British jazz. This area is almost completely unresearched but notable exceptions to this trend include Jen Wilson’s work (in her dissertation entitled Syncopated Ladies: British Jazzwomen 1880-1995 and their Influence on Popular Culture ) and George McKay’s chapter ‘From “Male Music” to Feminist Improvising’ in Circular Breathing . Therefore, this chapter will provide a necessarily selective overview of British women in jazz, and offer some limited exploration of the critical issues raised. It is hoped that this will provide a stimulus for more detailed research in the future. Any consideration of this topic must necessarily foreground Ivy Benson 1, who played a fundamental role in encouraging and inspiring female jazz musicians in Britain through her various ‘all-girl’ bands. Benson was born in Yorkshire in 1913 and learned the piano from the age of five. She was something of a child prodigy, performing on Children’s Hour for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) at the age of nine. She also appeared under the name of ‘Baby Benson’ at Working Men’s Clubs (private social clubs founded in the nineteenth century in industrial areas of Great Britain, particularly in the North, with the aim of providing recreation and education for working class men and their families).
    [Show full text]
  • Congressional Record—House H288
    H288 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 15, 2006 We must call on Hamas to put an end to vi- (Mr. HYDE) that the House suspend the Nevada (Mr. PORTER) and the gen- olence and terror. They must cease their rhet- rules and concur in the Senate concur- tleman from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS) each oric of hate. The U.S. and the international rent resolution, S. Con. Res. 79. will control 20 minutes. community must strongly urge Hamas to rec- The question was taken. The Chair recognizes the gentleman ognize Israel’s right to exist. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the from Nevada. Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, Hamas maintains opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of GENERAL LEAVE and asserts a radical, violent ideology within those present have voted in the affirm- Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask its charter—the destruction of Israel. I believe ative. unanimous consent that all Members that S. Con. Res. 79, which reaffirms that no Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, may have 5 legislative days within U.S. funds should go to the Palestinian Au- on that I demand the yeas and nays. which to revise and extend their re- thority if the majority party maintains a position The yeas and nays were ordered. marks and include extraneous material calling for the destruction of Israel, is a good The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- on H. Con. Res. 300, as amended. first step in creating a more peaceful region. ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Voting in support of this Resolution is not a Chair’s prior announcement, further objection to the request of the gen- hard choice.
    [Show full text]
  • Charlie Christian
    Prof. Jeff Campbell Trevor de Clercq 03/05/07 CHARLIE CHRISTIAN CHRONOLOGICAL BIOGRAPHY (based on Broadbent 2003) July 29, 1916: Charlie Christian (hereafter CC) born in Bonham, TX Father is a compressor operator in cotton mill; Mother is a hotel maid c.1918 (age 2): Father loses eyesight; Family moves to Oklahoma City, OK; Father works as a busker on the streets of the city as a guitar player 1926 (age 10): Father dies; CC inherits his father's two guitars 1928 (age 12): CC begins high school; Takes classes with Zelia N. Breaux Oil discovered in Oklahoma City 1930's (teenager): Oklahoma City is a major stopover for bands traveling east and west Deep Deuce area of Oklahoma City becomes a popular jazz neighborhood Older brother Edward becomes an established band leader Western Swing bands feature electric guitar with single-note solos 1932 (age 16): CC meets and jams with Lester Young 1933 (age 17): T-Bone Walker returns to Oklahoma City and jams with CC CC takes bass lessons with Chuck Hamilton 1934 (age 18): CC amplifies his acoustic guitar during gigs with brother Edward 1935 (age 19): CC jams with Cootie Williams as Duke Ellington comes through town CC has a regular gig with Leslie Sheffield and the Rhythmaires 1936 (age 20): CC begins touring the Plains States with various ensembles 1937 (age 21): CC acquires his first electric guitar and amp (Gibson ES150) 1938 (age 22): First recordings of jazz on an electric guitar are made Charlie Parker sees CC play in Kansas City 1939 (age 23): CC returns to Oklahoma City and fronts his own small group Benny Goodman begins recording with various electric guitarists Benny Goodman offers guitar-player Floyd Smith a contract, which is turned down by Smith's manager John Hammond, Goodman's manager, offers CC the job Aug.
    [Show full text]
  • Charlie Christian Was Born in Bonham, Texas on the 29 of June
    Charlie Christian was born in Bonham, Texas on the 29th of June, 1916. His family moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma when he was a small child. In 1939, Christian auditioned for John Hammond, who recommended him to bandleader Benny Goodman. It has been claimed that Goodman was initially uninterested in hiring Christian because the electric guitar was a relatively new instrument. However, Goodman was so impressed by Christian's playing that he hired him on the spot. Christian was placed in Goodman's new sextet, which included Lionel Hampton, Fletcher Henderson, Artie Bernstein and Nick Fatool. By February 1940 Christian dominated the jazz and swing guitar polls and was elected to the Metronome All Stars. Christian's solos are frequently referred to as horn-like, and in that sense he was more influenced by horn players such as Lester Young and Herschel Evans than by early acoustic guitarists like Eddie Lang and jazz/bluesman Lonnie Johnson, although they both had contributed to the expansion of the guitar's role from "rhythm section" instrument to a solo instrument. In an interview in 1940 Christian admitted he wanted his guitar to sound like a ‘hot tenor’. Charlie Christian was an important contributor to the music that became known as "bop" or "Bebop". He influenced not only guitarists, but other musicians as well. The influence he had on "Dizzy" Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk and Don Byas can be heard on their early "bop" recordings "Blue'n Boogie" and "Salt Peanuts". Other musicians, such as trumpeter Miles Davis, cite Christian as an early influence.
    [Show full text]
  • Updates & Amendments to the Great R&B Files
    Updates & Amendments to the Great R&B Files The R&B Pioneers Series edited by Claus Röhnisch from August 2019 – on with special thanks to Thomas Jarlvik The Great R&B Files - Updates & Amendments (page 1) John Lee Hooker Part II There are 12 books (plus a Part II-book on Hooker) in the R&B Pioneers Series. They are titled The Great R&B Files at http://www.rhythm-and- blues.info/ covering the history of Rhythm & Blues in its classic era (1940s, especially 1950s, and through to the 1960s). I myself have used the ”new covers” shown here for printouts on all volumes. If you prefer prints of the series, you only have to printout once, since the updates, amendments, corrections, and supplementary information, starting from August 2019, are published in this special extra volume, titled ”Updates & Amendments to the Great R&B Files” (book #13). The Great R&B Files - Updates & Amendments (page 2) The R&B Pioneer Series / CONTENTS / Updates & Amendments page 01 Top Rhythm & Blues Records – Hits from 30 Classic Years of R&B 6 02 The John Lee Hooker Session Discography 10 02B The World’s Greatest Blues Singer – John Lee Hooker 13 03 Those Hoodlum Friends – The Coasters 17 04 The Clown Princes of Rock and Roll: The Coasters 18 05 The Blues Giants of the 1950s – Twelve Great Legends 28 06 THE Top Ten Vocal Groups of the Golden ’50s – Rhythm & Blues Harmony 48 07 Ten Sepia Super Stars of Rock ’n’ Roll – Idols Making Music History 62 08 Transitions from Rhythm to Soul – Twelve Original Soul Icons 66 09 The True R&B Pioneers – Twelve Hit-Makers from the
    [Show full text]
  • ELEVATION Songs from Afar
    ELEVATION Songs from Afar Transylvanian expat pianist & composer Lucian Ban and ELEVATION celebrate their 2 n d album for Sunnyside records - Songs from Afar . Released in 2016 the album immediately garnered rave reviews and honors – DOWNBEAT BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR , a 5* review in DB march 2016 issue, ALL ABOUT JAZZ calls it “a triumph of emotional and musical communication” and New York City Jazz Record talks of an “Inspiring and touching journey, that seamlessly blends the traditions of jazz and folk songs”. ”Alluring timelessness . a strong life-force that seems to flow through this music . like many of the great masters, pianist Lucian Ban makes personal art that feels universal” 5* STARS! “Songs From Afar is a triumph of emotional and musical communication, and is not to be missed” Streams of influence from the past and cultural identities sometimes merge with one’s quest for forms of expression. Songs From Afar represents two traditions, two musical worlds, and many musical elements coming together to fashion a unique identity that truly spans continents and styles. "Songs from afar is very personal for me because the album is intimately tied to my Romanian cultural heritage and to the jazz influences that help me find out more about where I come from – and where I’m going. It's not only the ancient Transylvanian folk songs that we approach in this recording, it's also how the other pieces and improvisations reflect the constant search for musical meaning" notes Transylvanian expat pianist and composer Lucian Ban talking about his 2 n d album with Elevation quartet in his 3 r d appearance for Sunnyside.
    [Show full text]
  • View Was Provided by the National Endowment for the Arts
    Funding for the Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program NEA Jazz Master interview was provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. TOOTS THIELEMANS NEA Jazz Master (2009) Interviewee: Toots Thielemans (April 29, 1922 – August 22, 2016) Interviewer: Anthony Brown with recording engineer Ken Kimery Date: August 31 and September 1, 2011 Repository: Archives Center, National Museum of American History Description: Transcript, 80 pp. Brown: Today is August 31, 2011. My name is Anthony Brown, and I am conducting the Smithsonian Institution Oral History with NEA Jazz Master, harmonica virtuoso, guitarist and whistler, Toots Thielemans. Hello… Thielemans: Yes, my real name is Jean. Brown: Jean. Thielemans: And in Belgium… I was born in Belgium. Jean-Baptiste Frédéric Isidor. Four first names. And then Thielemans. Brown: That’s funny. Thielemans: And in French-speaking Belgium, they will pronounce it Thielemans. But I was born April 29, 1922. Brown: That’s Duke Ellington’s birthday, as well. Thielemans: Yes. For additional information contact the Archives Center at 202.633.3270 or [email protected] 1 Brown: All right. Thielemans: Yes, same day. Brown: Yeah, same day. Just a few years later. [laughs] Thielemans: [laughs] Oh, Duke. Okay. Brown: Where in Belgium? What city? Thielemans: In Brussels. Brown: That’s the capitol. Thielemans: In a popular neighborhood of Brussels called Les Marolles. There was… I don’t know, I wouldn’t know which neighborhood to equivalent in New York. Would that be Lower East Side? Or whatever… popular. And my folks, my father and mother, were operating, so to speak, a little beer café—no alcohol but beer, and different beers—in this café on High Street, Rue Haute, on the Marolles.
    [Show full text]
  • Downloaded PDF File of the Original First-Edi- Pete Extracted More Music from the Song Form of the Chart That Adds Refreshing Contrast
    DECEMBER 2016 VOLUME 83 / NUMBER 12 President Kevin Maher Publisher Frank Alkyer Editor Bobby Reed Managing Editor Brian Zimmerman Contributing Editor Ed Enright Creative Director ŽanetaÎuntová Design Assistant Markus Stuckey Circulation Manager Kevin R. Maher Assistant to the Publisher Sue Mahal Bookkeeper Evelyn Oakes Editorial Intern Izzy Yellen ADVERTISING SALES Record Companies & Schools Jennifer Ruban-Gentile 630-941-2030 [email protected] Musical Instruments & East Coast Schools Ritche Deraney 201-445-6260 [email protected] OFFICES 102 N. Haven Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126–2970 630-941-2030 / Fax: 630-941-3210 http://downbeat.com [email protected] CUSTOMER SERVICE 877-904-5299 / [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS Senior Contributors: Michael Bourne, Aaron Cohen, Howard Mandel, John McDonough Atlanta: Jon Ross; Austin: Kevin Whitehead; Boston: Fred Bouchard, Frank- John Hadley; Chicago: John Corbett, Alain Drouot, Michael Jackson, Peter Margasak, Bill Meyer, Mitch Myers, Paul Natkin, Howard Reich; Denver: Norman Provizer; Indiana: Mark Sheldon; Iowa: Will Smith; Los Angeles: Earl Gibson, Todd Jenkins, Kirk Silsbee, Chris Walker, Joe Woodard; Michigan: John Ephland; Minneapolis: Robin James; Nashville: Bob Doerschuk; New Orleans: Erika Goldring, David Kunian, Jennifer Odell; New York: Alan Bergman, Herb Boyd, Bill Douthart, Ira Gitler, Eugene Gologursky, Norm Harris, D.D. Jackson, Jimmy Katz, Jim Macnie, Ken Micallef, Dan Ouellette, Ted Panken, Richard Seidel, Tom Staudter, Jack Vartoogian, Michael Weintrob; North Carolina: Robin
    [Show full text]
  • Charlie Christian
    Charlie Christian Charles Henry “Charlie” Christian (July 29, 1916 – In a 1978 interview with Charlie Christian biographer March 2, 1942) was an American swing and jazz guitarist. Craig McKinney, Clarence Christian said that in the 1920s and '30s Edward Christian led a band in Oklahoma Christian was an important early performer on the electric guitar, and a key figure in the development of bebop and City as a pianist and had a shaky relationship with trum- peter James Simpson. Around 1931, he took guitarist cool jazz. He gained national exposure as a member of the Benny Goodman Sextet and Orchestra from August “Bigfoot” Ralph Hamilton and began secretly schooling the younger Charles on jazz. They taught him to solo on 1939 to June 1941. His single-string technique, com- bined with amplification, helped bring the guitar out of three songs, "Rose Room", "Tea for Two", and "Sweet the rhythm section and into the forefront as a solo instru- Georgia Brown". When the time was right they took him ment. John Hammond[1] and George T. Simon[2] called out to one of the many after-hours jam sessions along Christian the best improvisational talent of the swing era. "Deep Deuce", Northeast Second Street in Oklahoma In the liner notes to the 1972 Columbia album Solo Flight: City. The Genius of Charlie Christian, Gene Lees writes that, “Let Charles play one,” they told Edward. “Ah, nobody “Many critics and musicians consider that Christian was wants to hear them old blues,” Edward replied. After one of the founding fathers of bebop, or if not that, at some encouragement, he allowed Charles to play.
    [Show full text]
  • The Frank Sinatra Songbook
    Late Night Jazz – The Frank Sinatra Songbook Samstag, 12. Mai 2018, 22.05 – 24.00 SRF 2 Kultur Dass Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) und sein Einfluss auf den Jazzgesang kaum überschätzt werden können, ist mittlerweile anerkannt. Seine Wirkung auf Komponisten und Texter ist allerdings kaum geringer. Viele Songschreiber hatten explizit seine Stimme im Kopf beim Komponieren und wenn Sinatra einen Song tatsächlich aufnahm, war das gleichsam der Ritterschlag für das Werk und seinen Meister. Gut zwei Dutzend Sinatra-geadelte Songs in Late Night Jazz! Redaktion: Beat Blaser Moderation: Annina Salis Sinatra at The Sands with Count Basie And The Orchestra (1966) Label: Reprise Track 01: Come Fly with Me John Pizzarelli - Dear Mr. Sinatra Label: Telarc Track 02: You Make Me Feel So Young Aldo Romano - Inner Smile (2011) Label: Dreyfus Track 06: Old Devil Moon Frances Faye Sings - Russell Garcia Conducts (1955) Label: Lone Hill Track 16: I've Got You Under My Skin Judy Niemack - In the Sundance Label: blujazz Track 01: How About You? Paolo Alderighi - A Touch Of Swing Label: Jazz Connaisseur Track 02: Too Marvellous For Words Modern Pop Quartet - Doin' Their Jazz Thing Label: Cristal Rec Track 11: I Thought About You Shirley Horn - You Won't Forget Me (1990) Label: Verve Track 02: Come Dance with Me Blue Note plays Sinatra (1956) Label: Blue Note Track 04: Dancing in The Dark - Cannonball Adderley Jo Lawry - I Want To Be Happy (2008) Label: Fleurieu Music Track 07: I Could Have Danced All Night Ben Sidran - Mr. P's Shuffle (1996) Label: Go Jazz Track
    [Show full text]
  • Monterey Jazz Festival
    DECEMBER 2018 VOLUME 85 / NUMBER 12 President Kevin Maher Publisher Frank Alkyer Editor Bobby Reed Reviews Editor Dave Cantor Contributing Editor Ed Enright Creative Director ŽanetaÎuntová Assistant to the Publisher Sue Mahal Bookkeeper Evelyn Oakes ADVERTISING SALES Record Companies & Schools Jennifer Ruban-Gentile Vice President of Sales 630-359-9345 [email protected] Musical Instruments & East Coast Schools Ritche Deraney Vice President of Sales 201-445-6260 [email protected] Advertising Sales Associate Grace Blackford 630-359-9358 [email protected] OFFICES 102 N. Haven Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126–2970 630-941-2030 / Fax: 630-941-3210 http://downbeat.com [email protected] CUSTOMER SERVICE 877-904-5299 / [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS Senior Contributors: Michael Bourne, Aaron Cohen, Howard Mandel, John McDonough Atlanta: Jon Ross; Austin: Kevin Whitehead; Boston: Fred Bouchard, Frank- John Hadley; Chicago: John Corbett, Alain Drouot, Michael Jackson, Peter Margasak, Bill Meyer, Mitch Myers, Paul Natkin, Howard Reich; Denver: Norman Provizer; Indiana: Mark Sheldon; Iowa: Will Smith; Los Angeles: Earl Gibson, Todd Jenkins, Kirk Silsbee, Chris Walker, Joe Woodard; Michigan: John Ephland; Minneapolis: Robin James; Nashville: Bob Doerschuk; New Orleans: Erika Goldring, David Kunian, Jennifer Odell; New York: Alan Bergman, Herb Boyd, Bill Douthart, Ira Gitler, Eugene Gologursky, Norm Harris, D.D. Jackson, Jimmy Katz, Jim Macnie, Ken Micallef, Dan Ouellette, Ted Panken, Richard Seidel, Tom Staudter, Jack Vartoogian, Michael Weintrob;
    [Show full text]