Toots Thielemans

Belgium

Born: 29 April 1922

Years Active: 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 2000

Genres: Jazz, Vocal, International

Styles: World Fusion, Latin Jazz/World Fusion, Latin Jazz/World Fusion, Bop, Latin Jazz, Latin America, Contemporary Jazz, Fusion, Brazilian Jazz, Post-Bop, Hard Bop, Modal Music, Standards, Traditional Pop, Vocal/Standards

Share to:

Although preceded by Larry Adler (who has actually spent much of his career playing popular and classical music), Toots Thielemans virtually introduced the chromatic harmonica as a jazz instrument. In fact, ever since the mid-'50s, he has had no close competitors. Toots simply plays the harmonica with the dexterity of a saxophonist and has even successfully traded off with the likes of Oscar Peterson. Toots Thielemans' first instrument was the accordion, which he started when he was three. Although he started playing the harmonica when he was 1...

• Read more
• Discuss
• Add to favourites