The most talented harmonica-player who ever lived. If there's a soundtrack with harmonica in your collection, chances are Toots played it. If not: get on to that!
For now, my thoughts are with his family, friends and admirers.
Sorry to hear that. He was probably the greatest harmonica player in the world, next to Tommy Morgan and our own Sigmund Groven. But 94 is damn good innings!
I'll mostly remember him for his collaborations with John Williams on THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS and CINDERELLA LIBERTY.
Was sitting next to him in 1992 at a Pat Metheny concert in Brussels. They had just collaborated on Metheny's 'Secret Story' album. Was very friendly and charming
Whenever the Baantjer-theme comes up in a conversation, it happens more often than not that people think it was Thielemans who composed the theme, not Jurre Haanstra. Understandable, Toots fingerprints are all over it.
He *did* compose a film score once, though: The ridiculous adventures of mister Sherlock Jones. Only rel asked on lp at the times, needless to say a re-release on a more modern medium is well deserved. You can listen to the main theme here.
Whenever the Baantjer-theme comes up in a conversation, it happens more often than not that people think it was Thielemans who composed the theme, not Jurre Haanstra. Understandable, Toots fingerprints are all over it.
I've always preferred Thielemans' performance to Tommy Morgan's on Barry's later recordings and concerts. The edgier performance fits the film and the theme perfectly.
Speaking of Toots' edge: I loved his contributions to Young's Hard Rain. Tough, raw but very melodic. Great theme, but Toots augmented it with his performance.
