The Toots Thielemans

Toots Thielemans - Two Generations (1974) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series CDSOL-6409}
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© 1974, 2015 Limetree / Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6409
Jazz / Bop / Fusion / Contemporary Jazz / Jazz Blues / Harmonica / Guitar

Reissue with the latest remastering and the original cover artwork. Comes with a description written in Japanese. Jazz sessions with Toots Thielemans are always a treat, and this album's no exception – one that features Toots' guitar and harmonica in the company of some great younger players from the 70s European scene! The set was produced by Chris Hinze, who also plays flute on the record – and other group members include Philip Catherine on guitar, Joachim Kuhn on keyboards, and the mighty rhythm team of John Lee on bass and Gerry Brown on drums – all musicians who lay back beautifully here, and really stick to the spacier side of their talents! Given that Toots is on harmonica on most numbers, the sound is wonderfully gentle – hardly the heavy fusion workout you might expect from the lineup, although there's a few subtle doses of funk that are much appreciated.

The pairing of Toots Thielemans and Kenny Werner for several live duo concerts in mid-June of 2001 (although there is no audible audience response) is a dream come true for fans of ballads. Whether Werner sticks exclusively to piano or adds the lush strings from his synthesizer as well, he provides the perfect complement to the always lyrical harmonica of the veteran Thielemans. Although Thielemans was 79 at the time of this recording, he has lost none of the daredevil spirit he has demonstrated in the past on up-tempo romps such as those through an exciting "Autumn Leaves" or capturing the emotion within a gem such as Charlie Chaplin's bittersweet "Smile.".

Guitarist, harmonica player, and whistler Toots Thielemans' followup to the critically acclaimed Brasil Project doesn't stray far from its predecessor's path. There are 13 nice Afro-Latin selections with Thielemans backing such top Brazilian vocalists as Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil, Ivan Lins, Caetano Veloso, and Dori Caymmi, among others, and guitarists Oscar Castro-Nieves and Lee Ritenour assisting Thielemans with delicate shadings and accompaniment.

This popular set matches the brilliant harmonica player Toots Thielemans with such top Brazilian performers as Ivan Lins, Djavan, Oscar Castro-Neves, Dori Caymmi, Ricardo Silveira, Joao Bosco, Gilberto Gil, Milton Nascimento, Caetano Veloso, Luiz Bonfб, Edu Lobo and Eliane Elias, in addition to bassist Brian Bromberg, keyboardist Michael Lang, trumpeter Mark Isham and Dave Grusin. Thielemans is often in a supportive role behind the many soothing Brazilian singers and performers.

Accomplished harmonica player and whistler whose chromatic harmonic solos were among the most distinctive of any instrument in jazz. Toots Thielemans virtually introduced the chromatic harmonica as a jazz instrument. In fact, beginning in the mid-'50s, he never had a close competitor. Thielemans simply played the harmonica with the dexterity of a saxophonist and even successfully traded off with the likes of Oscar Peterson.

The emphasis is on ballads for harmonica player Toots Thielemans' outing with the Shirley Horn Trio. Horn, in addition to contributing some tastefully supportive piano and occasional solos, takes a vocal on "Someone to Watch Over Me." Toots sounds quite relaxed performing 11 standards (only "Blues in the Closet" generates much heat) plus his original "For My Lady" with such comfortable backing.

Bill Evans & Toots Thielemans - Affinity (1978) {Warner 7599-27387-2 rel 1989}
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© 1978, 1989 Warner Bros. Records | 7599-27387-2
Jazz / Modal Music / Post-Bop / Piano

A beautiful pairing – the keyboards of Bill Evans and harmonica of Toots Thielemans – presented here in a space that marks the record as one of the best from both players in the 70s! Some tunes are sad and blue, and very spare – others a bit more upbeat and lyrical, almost taking us back to Bill's more sprightly modes of the early 60s – and the clear, clean sound offers up the best tones from both players in a perfect space. Other musicians include Marc Johnson on bass, Eliot Zigmund on drums, and Larry Schneider on flute, tenor, and soprano sax – and Evans plays a bit of electric piano in addition to acoustic, something we always love!