Thank You, Toots!

Ten years ago, jazz legend Jean Toots Thielemans passed away. He captivated entire generations with his irresistible harmonica style and distinctive sound. He played with legends such as Charlie Parker and Quincy Jones, and with timeless classics like Bluesette, he gave jazz a voice that still resonates around the world today. The Ben Vanderweyden Quartet pays tribute to the life and work of this Belgian musical icon. Thank You, Toots! is more than just a concert; it is a unique multimedia project that combines Toots Thielemans’s music with authentic footage and surprising anecdotes. Host Michael Robberechts shares colourful stories and characteristic memories that offer a deeper insight into the life of the jazz legend. The repertoire consists of original arrangements of a wide selection of well-known compositions, including the soundtracks to the films Turks Fruit and Midnight Cowboy, as well as Toots’s own compositions such as For My Lady, the classic Bluesette and other musical gems like Three Views of a Secret. The style of the Ben Vanderweyden Quartet is characterised by a melodic, colourful and expressive retro sound that perfectly captures the spirit of Toots. What is remarkable is that all the musicians collaborated with Toots Thielemans, both in the studio and on stage.,