NEA Jazz Master, Toots Thielemans, is widely considered to be the preeminent jazz harmonica player. It is safe to say that before him, the harmonica in jazz was simply not done, and Thielemans can be credited with legitimizing the instrument in the genre. Born in Brussels, Belgium in 1922. Theileman’s excelled on accordion as a small child, before picking up the guitar as a teenager after hearing Django Reinhart. Along the way, he taught himself to play harmonica as a hobby. In 1948, during a visit to the US, he sat in on guitar with a jazz group at small club in New York and was “discovered.” Engagements soon followed with the likes of Benny Goodman, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones and more. As the story goes, in response to a musicians’ union restriction, Thielemans was forbidden to play guitar at a gig. So, he pulled out his harmonica. The rest, as they say, is history. He went on to have a long and prolific career on the instrument, as both a band leader and session musician. With his unique sound, he became a go-to for film scores in the 1970s (The Pawn Broker, Midnight Cowboy). Perhaps most notably, Thielemans is unconsciously known to generations for having played the melody on Sesame Street’s famous closing theme. Organized as a purely jazz session, the date here prominently features a young Joanne Brackeen on piano. It is perhaps Brackeen’s presence that makes this set so interesting. As an avant-garde player she provides the vehicle for Thielemas to explore more advanced ideas. The album covers a wide range of material, including two originals by Brackeen, alongside standards by Coltrane, Ellington, Mercer and Mancini.
Release date:
December 1, 2023
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Audioengine A2 Plus
Precision-engineered 2.75-inch woofers and a 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter, featuring built-in DAC and Bluetooth connectivity for seamless integration.
-
Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge
Features an elliptical stylus that accurately tracks the grooves of vinyl records, delivering a rich, detailed sound with an output voltage of 5.5 mV
-
Turntables - Top Picks
A selection of reliable record players you can buy today, for every budget
-
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO
Featuring a one-piece carbon fiber tonearm, precision-tuned motor, and a heavy steel platter with TPE damping, it ensures superior stability and sound quality.
-
Technics SL-1500C Turntable
Features a direct-drive motor, a high-precision tonearm, and a premium MM cartridge, delivering exceptional sound quality
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Hooded Menace Lachrymose Monuments Of Obscuration
Season Of Mist
October 3, 2025 -
Alexandra Kay Second Wind (Neon Pink)
Bmg
October 24, 2025 -
Lady A On This Winter's Night: Volume 2
Bmlg Records
September 26, 2025 -
Verses GT Verses GT (Clear)
Luckyme
October 17, 2025 -
Jay Som Belong (White)
Polyvinyl Records
October 10, 2025 -
Prize In The Red
Goner Records
September 19, 2025 -
Tove Lo/SG Lewis HEAT (Deep Purple/Black)
Pretty Swede Records
September 19, 2025 -
Daughtry SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM PART TWO (Translucent Orange EP)
Big Machine Rock
September 12, 2025 -
XTC Drums & Wires Steven Wilson Mix
Ape House UK
September 26, 2025 -
Brian Eno/Beatie Wolfe Liminal (BioVinyl)
Verve
October 24, 2025 -
Hot Chip Joy In Repetition [2xLP]
Domino Record Co
September 5, 2025 -
Novembers Doom Major Arcana [2xLP]
Prophecy
September 19, 2025 -
Stay Inside Lunger (Yellow Glitter)
Tiny Engines
October 3, 2025 -
KAROL G Tropicoqueta (Tangerine) (Amazon Exclusive) [2xLP]
Bichota Records/Interscope
September 26, 2025