Toots Thielemans 100th Anniversary Official Closing Concert - Brussels Jazz Orchestra + Guests

On 14 August, no less than two concerts are scheduled at Jazz Middelheim to pay full tribute to the legacy of the jazz legend. The programme will give the audience a complete overview of his career as a guitarist but also as a harmonica player. In addition, concerts, festivals and activities in Brussels and elsewhere in Belgium will bring various aspects of the person and musician Toots Thielemans back into the spotlight. By young upcoming musicians, but also by musicians who have played together with Toots Thielemans. All in their own way, inspired by Toots. For both concerts, we chose a selection of Toots' many past collaborators, whom he admired and with whom he enjoyed working, especially for this project: – Kenny Werner (piano/arranger) and Toots had a very unique bond: playful, challenging, understanding: "Throw me in the deep end, just don't let me drown", Toots declared after their first concert together; – Grégoire Maret (harmonica) is a natural musician, humble and formidable in his own right. He never tried to imitate Toots and Toots, for his part, respected and admired him for his own unique style; – Philip Catherine (guitar) played many concerts with Toots. They were guests at each other's birthday concerts and learned each other's songs backstage. Exchanging ideas and chords offstage, one musical language on stage. Many an unforgettable moment was created between them; – Tutu Puoane (vocals) has long been regarded as one of the most talented singers in Flanders and the Netherlands. Born in Pretoria, South Africa, she settled in Europe in 2002, initially in the Netherlands and since 2005 in Antwerp, Belgium. In that time, she has grown into one of the most charismatic personalities on our stages. – Pedro Moraes (vocals) began his musical career in the early 2000s as part of the samba renaissance movement in Rio de Janeiro, alongside great masters of traditional samba. Later, when his interest shifted to contemporary fusions of Brazilian styles and international influences, from jazz to progressive rock, he released three solo albums as a singer-songwriter and toured extensively in Europe, Asia and North America.