Thielemans: Not only my idol but the idol for the whole generation. During the German occupation, we didn't have any records of American guitar players. It was only after the liberation that I started to get the American jazz records. For all the youngsters of my generation who wanted to play the guitar, Django was the role model, the guru, the whatever you want to call it. But after a couple of years I became taken with the mainstream of American jazz.
TT: I know you as the man who played the theme song on Sesame Street.
Thielemans: (laughs) I think we should play that song in Taiwan. Do people there know it?
TT: I think everyone knows that song.
Thielemans: Yeah, we can play that. That theme, they still use it in some parts of the world, I think. That was a one-hour job for me. I made US$37 to do that and they attached it to all the shows (hums part of the tune). That was during the late 1960s or 1970s, I think. During that time I also did the music to Midnight Cowboy.
TT: And Sugarland Express, yes?
Thielemans: Yes. That was one of the first movies by Steven Spielberg, I think. It was his first collaboration with the composer John Williams. John was a fan of mine (laughs) and he asked me to come to Los Angeles to help with the movie.
TT: You're one of the few musicians to have made a career not only from playing the harmonica, but from whistling as well.
Thielemans: Well, it's a shame I cannot whistle anymore. I have trouble with the nerve in my inner ear. It prevents me from hearing the proper pitch, but not with the harmonica fortunately. But I did enjoy that very much, playing the guitar and whistling.
TT: What advice would you have for a budding whistler?
Thielemans: (laughs) Many, many people whistle much better than I do.
TT: What's thus far been your most memorable experience working with many the musicians you've played with? Has there been a highlight?
Thielemans: Oh, I have so many. One strong memory was working with Bill Evans. That is not easily forgotten. ? Some of the concerts I've played with Quincy Jones. I was in the States -- I'm talking 1953 maybe -- I played with Charlie Parker's All Stars and with Miles Davis. And there was little old me on the guitar and the harmonica.
TT: So it wasn't Sesame Street.
Thielemans: (laughs) That was good, too.
TT: One last question: What are your future plans?
Thielemans: Well, I play later today, and then again tomorrow.
Toots Thielemans will play with the Mike del Ferro Trio as part of the ongoing Jazz from J to Z Party at the National Concert Hall. Mike del Ferro also plays tomorrow evening before being joined by Toots the following night. Both concerts begin at 7:30pm. Tickets for tomorrow night's performance range from NT$400 to NT$2,000 while tickets for Toot's performance are priced to NT$3,000 for the very special event. Contact the National Concert Hall at (02) 2343-1587 or (02) 2343-1647 to purchase tickets, or on the Internet at http://ticket.acer121.com.
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