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Toots Thielemans

Looking Back To Move Forward: Celebrating Jazz Artists We Lost in 2016

Toots Thielemans. Jos Knaepen hide caption

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Jos Knaepen

Jazz Night In America: The Radio Program

Looking Back To Move Forward: Celebrating Jazz Artists We Lost in 2016

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

Jazz lost great players in 2016, including Paul Bley, Gato Barbieri and three musicians we're profiling — vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, harmonica player Toots Thielemans and bassist Victor Bailey.

Looking Back To Move Forward: Celebrating Jazz Artists We Lost in 2016

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As 2016 Winds Down, Remembering The Jazz Giants We Lost

Toots Thielemans onstage at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands in 2005. Rick Nederstigt/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Rick Nederstigt/AFP/Getty Images

Jazz Night In America

As 2016 Winds Down, Remembering The Jazz Giants We Lost

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

As 2016 Winds Down, Remembering The Jazz Giants We Lost

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Toots Thielemans, Jazz Harmonica Baron, Dies At 94

Toots Thielemans performs at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands in 2005. Rick Nederstigt/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Rick Nederstigt/AFP/Getty Images

Music

Toots Thielemans, Jazz Harmonica Baron, Dies At 94

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, Jazz Harmonica Baron, Dies At 94

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The Harmonica-Playing Baron Of Belgium

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. Rick Nederstigt/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Rick Nederstigt/AFP/Getty Images

A Blog Supreme

The Harmonica-Playing Baron Of Belgium

WBGO

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.

Jaco Pastorius & Word Of Mouth Band, Feat. Toots Thielemans, 'Liberty City'

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