Toots Thielemans Dead At 94

(The Blues) Toots Thielemans has died aged 94. The multi-instrumentalist, who was widely known for his mastery of the harmonica, reportedly died in his sleep. He'd been hospitalised last month after a fall.

His manager Veerle Van De Poel tells the Los Angeles Times: "There were no complications. He died of old age, his body was simply worn out." Thielemans was an in-demand session player and a successful recording artist in his own right, having released a string of solo records over 50 years - including 1962 hit album Bluesette. He once described his sentimental, melodic musical style as "between a smile and a tear," his unusual blend of guitar and whistling becoming his trademark sound.

Though he rose to prominence in the jazz scene, Thielemans featured on a number of pop songs, such as Billy Joel's Leave A Tender Moment Alone and Julian Lennon's Too Late For Goodbyes, as well as R&B works including Quincy Jones' 1981 album The Dude and Paul Simon's 1975 record Still Crazy After All These Years. Read more here.

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