Toots Thielemans

smooth jazz, jazz, belgian, harmonica, jazz harmonica

- Born : Brussels, Belgium 1922 Immigrated : USA 1952 - Played accordion at age 3 - Started playing harmonica as a hobby - First guitar won on a bet - "Hooked" on Jazz during German occupation - First idol : Django Reinhardt - Early influence : Charlie Parker - Nicknamed "Toots" after musicians Toots Mondello and Toots Camarata - First international break through : Joining Benny Goodman on European concert tour in 1950