"The Magic Of Toots" A Celebration of Toots Thielemans At Carnegie Hall, March 16th, 8 PM
Posted: 2006-03-14
FUJITSU JAZZ FESTIVAL
´THE MAGIC OF TOOTS´
A Celebration of TOOTS THIELEMANS
Starring ´TOOTS´
+ Special Guests: HERBIE HANCOCK, IVAN LINS, ELIANE ELIAS, PAQUITO D'RIVERA, OSCAR CASTRO- NEVES, JOE LOVANO and Surprises´
CARNEGIE HALL, March 16th, 8 PM
´I can say without hesitation that Toots is one of the greatest musicians of our time on his instrument. He ranks with the best that jazz has ever produced´-- Quincy Jones
Fujitsu Jazz Festival will present THE MAGIC OF TOOTS starring TOOTS with a cast of renowned artists, HERBIE HANCOCK, IVAN LINS, ELIANE ELIAS, PAQUITO D'RIVERA, OSCAR CASTRO-NEVES, JOE LOVANO and some special surprise guests who will celebrate Toots and his music! The concert is sponsored by Fujitsu Limited., and produced by Pat Philips and Ettore Stratta. The Music Director is KENNY WERNER.
The extensive career of Jean Toots Thielemans has seen him appearing alongside George Shearing, Ella Fitzgerald, Quincy Jones, Bill Evans,Benny Goodman, Jaco Pastorius, Natalie Cole, Pat Metheny, Charlie Parker, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Brazilian greats - Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Djavan, Ivan Lins to name a few.
Throughout the years, his brilliant harmonica playing was heard as the signature sound of the music of ´Midnight Cowboy´, ´Sugarland Express,´ and ´Jean de Florette´ as well as on Sesame Street. As Toots Thielemans tours internationally with his current ensemble to sell-out audiences in concert halls, festivals, and clubs, he constantly stays on the 'cutting edge' of the best of jazz today and has collaborated recently with top artists Pat Metheny and young star Jamie Cullum as well as many other contemporary musicians.
THE MAGIC OF TOOTS concert event will speak of the beauty, warmth, virtuosity, and soul of a one-of-a kind- artist who--at 83--still stands at the 'top of his game'. Music Director, KENNY WERNER, Toots' longtime duo partner--the ´Maestro´ as he calls him--will take you on a journey, weaving in and out with Toots and this star-studded program.
Toots recognized the young unknown HERBIE HANCOCK as a great talent many years ago at a rehearsal with Donald Byrd and soon afterward performed with him in a local restaurant. THE MAGIC OF TOOTS tribute brings these two giants together in mutual admiration on the big stage.
IVAN LINS, Brazilian superstar composer/vocalist/musician, has a beautiful, long relationship with TOOTS in recordings (Brazil Project), touring, and performances and is thrilled to be coming to Carnegie Hall from Brazil to pay tribute to one of his heroes.
ELIANE ELIAS is one of the great Brazilian musicians who played piano on the now famous Brazil Project CDs with Toots and toured with him on that series. Elias was also part of Toots' 75th birthday concert in Belgium celebrated with an audience of over 7,000 fans. They have a long standing relationship, also due in part to Toots' love of Brazilian music.
PAQUITO D'RIVERA says, ´Playing and recording with Toots was like being in a magic dream!!! I've even written a special piece for Toots, ´Brussels in the Rain.´ Paquito also writes of his affection for Toots in his new book My Sax Life.
JOE LOVANO and Toots Thielemans have a history of enjoying working together, Joe being his Guest at the Iridium and at Toots' 80th birthday at The Blue Note, and at the Pescaru Jazz Festival in Italy. Toots also performed as a guest on one of Lovano's albums.
The producers, Philips and Stratta, have long been fans of the remarkable talent of Toots Thielemans. They have created this historic night, one on which they are putting their stamp as well by creating some unique collaborations with this cast of stars, as well as introducing LUDOVIC BEIER, French Accordionist and player of the ´ accordina´ from Paris, to the program. Toots started by playing an accordion at age 3, then guitar, and onto harmonica. This 27-year old young musician will bring this flavor to the evening.
THE MAGIC OF TOOTS, sponsored by Fujitsu Limited will be an historic moment for this legendary artist, arriving at the gates of Carnegie Hall with all his charm, wit, warmth, grace and enormous talent for a well-deserved night in his honor.
Members of the Band:
Piano and music director: Kenny Werner
Bass: Scott Colley
Drums, Ari Hoenig
Tickets: Carnegie Hall Box Office
or Call Carnegie Charge: 212-247-7800
$66, $56, $48, $26, $18
Tickets can be purchased on the Carnegie Hall website
* artists subject to change
|