Toots Thielemans
Toots Thielemans was a Belgian jazz musician. He was known for his guitar and harmonica playing, as well as his whistling skills. A jazz standard by Toots Thielemans is "Bluesette," where he used whistling and guitar in unison. First recorded by him in 1962, with lyrics added by Norman Gimbel, the song became a major worldwide hit.
He performed on many film soundtracks, such as Midnight Cowboy and in various television programs, including Sesame Street, whose closing credits (which did not list him accordingly) featured his performance on harmonica of the show's theme.
in 2001, Thielemans was ennobled a baron by King Albert II of Belgium. In 2005 he was nominated for the title of the Greatest Belgian. In the Flemish version he finished in 20th place, and in the Walloon version he came 44th. In 2009, he became an NEA Jazz Master, the highest honour for a jazz musician in the United States.
Thielemans announced his retirement on 12 March 2014, cancelling all scheduled concerts. He died in his sleep on 22 August 2016, at the age of 94.
