You can’t imagine Toots Thielemans in a bad mood. He is a man who is completely content with his life and work, and his personality re ects this joie de vivre almost as much as his music. He is, quite simply, the greatest and probably rst, jazz harmonica player.
Born in Brussels, Belgium, his rst instrument was guitar which he taught himself to play. In the fties he came to America and joined the George Shearing Quintet. He subsequently recorded with numberless American jazz greats includ- ing Sonny Rollins and Bill Evans.
For this recording he surrounds himself with young Surging rhythm section featuring Fred Hersch on piano, Harvie Swartz on bass and Adam Nussbaum on drums.
“TOOTS THIELEMANS IN NEW ORLEANS” was recorded before a live audience at Lulu White’s Mahogany Hall on Bourbon Street. It shows this great artist in top form. Listen to and watch a jazz original.