Toots Thielemans

As 2016 Winds Down, Remembering The Jazz Giants We Lost

NPR Staff

Jazz Night in America host Christian McBride honors Bobby Hutcherson, Toots Thielemens and Victor Bailey, three prominent jazz musicians who passed away this year.

Toots Thielemans performs at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands in 2005.

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Toots Thielemans, Jazz Harmonica Baron, Dies At 94

Tom Cole

The Belgian-American musician, also known for his guitar playing and whistling, performed with the stars of postwar jazz and was widely heard on film scores and commercial jingles.

Toots Thielemans performs at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands in July 2005. He's celebrating his 90th birthday with a series of concerts throughout his native Belgium.

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The Harmonica-Playing Baron Of Belgium

Becca Pulliam

Whistling guitarist and harmonica master Toots Thielemans has played in everything from Charlie Parker's band to commercials for Old Spice. In his childhood home of Brussels — really, throughout his homeland — the celebration of his 90th birthday is on.