- Born
- Died
- Birth nameJean-Baptiste Frederic Isidore Thielemans
- Toots Thielemans was born on April 29, 1922 in Brussels, Belgium. He was a composer and actor, known for Guet-apens (1972), French Kiss (1995) and Arthur (1981). He was married to Huguette Tuytschaever and Netty de Greef. He died on August 22, 2016 in Brussels, Belgium.
- SpousesHuguette Tuytschaever(1980 - August 22, 2016) (his death)Netty de Greef(1949 - 1976) (her death)
- He became a US citizen in 1957.
- He is a master of the chromatic harmonica, and elevated it to a respected jazz instrument. He started out as a jazz guitarist.
- Benny Goodman hired him for his band during its 1950 European tour. He also played and recorded with Oscar Peterson, Pat Metheny, Shirley Horn, Dizzy Gillespie, and Quincy Jones.
- His harmonica is heard in the theme songs to "Sesame Street" and "Midnight Cowboy", and many other film scores. He whistled the Old Spice deodorant commercial in the 1970s and '80s.
- Thielemans died in Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium, at the age of 94. After the announcement, the Netherlands-based jazz and pop orchestra Metropole Orkest, along with American trumpet player Quincy Jones, performed at London's Royal Albert Hall in Thielemans' honor. Another concert was performed at the Grand Place, Brussels.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content