Toots Thielemans | WBUR and NPR - On Point with Tom Ashbrook

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Friday, March 15, 2002 at 11:00 AM EST

Toots Thielemans

There is little doubt that you have heard the music of Jean ‘Toots’ Thielemans. Perhaps his most famous composition is the theme to “Sesame Street,” which he wrote and performed on his famous harmonica.

The 80-year-old Thielemans is most famous for bringing the harmonica into jazz. Prior to his introducing it into modern jazz orchestras, the harmonica was viewed as a passe’ instrument of folk music.

Thielemans played on the soundtracks of such movies as “Midnight Cowboy” and “The Wiz,” and his harmonica has complemented singers ranging from Ella Fitzgerald, to Paul Simon to Billy Joel and many others.

Guests:

Toots Thielemans, musician

Jack Beatty, On Point News Analyst

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