NEA Jazz Master Toots Thielemans on Composing "Bluesette"
Series: Jazz Masters Moments
From: National Endowment for the Arts
Length: 00:01:30
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Piece Description
In 1962, Jazz Master and harmonica virtuoso composed the classic song, Bluesette. Listen to how he humbly explores the mystery of artistic inspiration.
Transcript
TOOTS THIELEMANS_ BLUESETTE
(:90)
NOW A JAZZ MOMENT…
Toots Thielemans: It happened to me. You don’t write a song like Bluesette,
IN 1962, NEA JAZZ MASTER TOOTS THIELEMANS COMPOSED HIS BEST-KNOWN COMPOSITION “BLUESETTE”. HE CREDITS THE GREAT FRENCH VIOLINIST STEPHANE GRAPELLI AS HIS INSPIRATION. THE MELODY CAME TO TOOTS AS HE WARMED UP FOR A CONCERT IN HIS DRESSING ROOM, WHICH HE SHARED THAT NIGHT WITH GRAPELLI.
Toots Thielemans: He was my idol all the time of course, but I never had played with him. And here I am with my idol and he was so elegant. “Mon petit Toots!” And then I warm up on the chords of Bluesette. See, there’s always somewhere, somebody to help you, right? Stephane inspiring me.
MUSIC: Bluesette (Xfade to CD version featuring guitar and whistling)
CD: Verve Jazz Masters 59: Toots Thielemans...
Read the full transcript
Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluesette | Toots Thielemans | Verve Jazz Masters 59: Toots Thielemans. | Verve | 1996 | 00:00 |
Additional Credits
Created by the National Endowment for the Arts. Hosted by Delfeayo Marsalis.
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