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Toots Thielemans
1922 - 2016
Toots Thielemans
1922 - 2016
Obituary
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BORN
1922
DIED
2016
Toots Thielemans Obituary
The Belgian jazz musician died his sleep at a hospital in Brussels, said his manager, Veerle Van de Poel.
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel tweeted: “We have lost a great musician, a heartwarming personality. All my thoughts are with the family and friends of Toots Thielemans.”
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He was born Jean-Baptiste Frédéric Isidor in Brussels, Belgium. He started out as a guitar player. In 1949, he toured Europe with Benny Goodman as a guitarist.
He moved to the United States in 1952, where he joined Charlie Parker’s All-Stars, and he also worked with Miles Davis and Dinah Washington. He has played with many other jazz greats including Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson.
Thielemans composed and recorded his signature song in 1962. “Bluesette,” which was an international hit, has become a jazz standard. He worked on movie soundtracks including “Midnight Cowboy,” and his harmonica is heard on the theme music for the children’s show “Sesame Street.”
He also worked on many projects with the legendary record producer Quincy Jones. Jones was quoted as saying on Thielemans’ website: “I can say without hesitation that Toots is one of the greatest musicians of our time.”
36 Entries
October 6, 2016
He was truly a great harmonica player! His talent will be greatly missed.
May the family find comfort in knowing that God promises to reunite you with him, on his new paradise earth. ( John 6:40,44)
L T
September 5, 2016
So sorry for your loss of your dear loved one. May Gid give you peace and comfort.
September 2, 2016
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
How you can show support
August 25, 2016
My sympathy to the family. May fond memories keep him alive in your hearts always.
J L
August 25, 2016
My condolences to your family during this time of grief. your love one will be missed.
Sonya Pierre
August 24, 2016
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. Sending love and prayers to your family. Please accept my deepest sympathies. May the God of all comfort and endurance be with your family in this time of sorrow. (Romans 15:5)
D Tyler
August 24, 2016
Mr. Thieleman's had to be one of the greatest musicians to have played for and with some of Jazz great legendary artists of all times. Sincere condolences to the Thieleman family. 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
August 24, 2016
My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Dan
August 23, 2016
Thank you Toots. Thank you for all of it. You took the Chromatic to a high art form. I'm thinking that at some point in your association with Bird, a light went on and you took the Chromatic where it had never been, just like Bird did with the saxophone. R.I.P. sir.
August 23, 2016
My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Toots was a genius, but also a modest man.
Thank You, Toots.
michelle plakas-kaiser
August 23, 2016
rip
ORK of PGH
August 23, 2016
May you rest in peace Toots. Condolences to your family. We will all miss you.
Ken Rudolph
August 23, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers go out to The Thielemans Family. Mr. Thielemans' music is legendary. I have heard his music on several movie sound tracks namely "The Getaway" starring the Late Steve McQueen. He will be remembered as a great artist.
Gary W. Kelly
August 23, 2016
I first heard of Toots Thielemans through Quincy Jones. Of several albums, "Bluesette" and "Velas" come to mind. Also, I remember that with Quincy, Toots won a Grammy.
It is a shame that most of the radio stations discriminated against Jazz sounding 45 RPM singles when I was young seeking these out. I do not remember any instrumental single by Quincy Jones charting in the top 60, although I found many that I had never heard.
I saw Toots on a Merv Griffin program either in the late 70's or early 80's. I found the 45 of "Bluesette" some years later.
Will any station feature any of his music like they did Elvis, John, Bob, Barry, Prince, or Michael?
I will believe it when I hear it.
August 23, 2016
My condolences to Mr. Thielemans's family. May God comfort and strengthen you during your time of grief.
August 23, 2016
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
August 23, 2016
One of the TRULY GREATEST MUSICIANS of "ALL" Time.
His playing was so very melodic and beautiful.
His music will be with us for ever and ever.
May he dwell in the house of the LORD FOREVER !!
FTMY, FL.
h r
August 23, 2016
Condolences to the talented jazz musician Toots Thielemans family and friends, may the God of comfort be with you during your time of loss. (2 Thessalonians)
Verge Brinson
August 23, 2016
My sincere condolences to the family , friends of the late
Toots Thielemans. May you all find comfort in the many fond memories and happy time all shares with him.
August 23, 2016
Beloveds, what a good long, long life Toots lived! So many cannot say the same. His fine legacy will surely be remembered. May precious memories forever live in our hearts and in God's "book of life."
Megaera Kuny
August 22, 2016
Very sad news. Amazing musician and nice man.
rip
T Griffin
August 22, 2016
So sorry to hear about your loss. You know that God and Jesus are in the best position to comfort us when we lose a loved one in death.
P.A.
August 22, 2016
MAY GOD BLESS TOOTS THIELEMANS AND CONSOLE THE HEARTS OF EVERYONE IN HIS FAMILY AT THIS TIME OF SORROW. "And now, the time has come, and so, My Love, I must go. And though I lose a friend, in the end, you will know. One day, you'll look...To see I've gone. For tomorrow may rain, so, I'll follow the sun.
Saundra Ozan
August 22, 2016
My husband and I had the great pleasure to hear and meet Mr. Thielemans in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was WONDERFUL !!! His music thrilled us and he was so kind to give us his autograph which we cherish to this day.
Robert Rouse
August 22, 2016
God Bless - One of the finest muscians ever - tragically i am in Ghent Belgium to pay respects to Bernadette the wife partner and co owner of Music Electronics Lokeren - who died on the 17th of August 2016 - Toots Thielemans was a client and friend cannot believe these two special people have passed x God Bless x
August 22, 2016
My sincere condolences to the family for the loss of your loved one. May your prayers strengthen you and memories comfort you, and may our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loves us, comfort your hearts and "make you firm." (2 Thessalonians 2: 16,17)
August 22, 2016
My deepest condolences to the family.
May the God of tender mercies, console
your burden hearts during the loss of
your dear beloved one.
My heartfelt prayers are with the
family.
TE, New Orleans, Louisiana
August 22, 2016
My deepest condolences to the family.
May the God of love, console your broken
hearts during the loss of your dear
beloved one.
During the difficult days ahead, may
the LORD give you the needed strength
to endure.
TE, New Orleans, Louisiana
August 22, 2016
Dearest Toots play on, friend and generous neighbor.
Geoffrey & Marion Moss (NYC)
August 22, 2016
My condolences to the family & friends of Toots. Thank you for your awesome contributions to the music and entertainment world!
Scott Chamberland
August 22, 2016
Rest in Peace
John Eldridge
August 22, 2016
Loved you Toots! You were a genius! I've enjoyed your wonderful music for a lifetime. RIP great man.
Jack Eldridge "Adventures In Jazz" WCUE Akron
Adrian Barnette
August 22, 2016
We miss you !
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