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Toots Thielemans was an influential Belgian harmonica player, whistler, and guitarist, born on April 29, 1922, in Brussels. He passed away on August 22, 2016, in Braine-l'Alleud. Regarded as the pre-eminent jazz harmonica player, Thielemans performed and recorded with many great artists and was a sought-after session player in pop music. He began playing the accordion at an early age and later taught himself to play the guitar after being inspired by various musicians. In 1948, after visiting the United States, he was invited to accompany a prominent artist on a European tour. Thielemans emigrated to the U.S. in 1952 and became a citizen in 1957, during which time he was primarily active as a member of a notable ensemble. In 1955, he recorded his first album as a leader. After the disbandment of the ensemble, he returned to Europe, performing extensively in Sweden and Germany. In 1969, he recorded an album with a Brazilian singer, marking the beginning of his fascination with bossa nova, which led to collaborations with various artists. Following a stroke in 1981, Thielemans faced challenges in playing the guitar and shifted his focus more towards the harmonica. His most famous composition, "Bluesette," has become a jazz standard, and he is also well-known for performing the theme for "Sesame
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