[Harp-L] Toots masterclass DVD

[Philharpn@xxxxxxx]

Got my copy of the Toots Thielemans Masterclass DVD in remarkably fast time. 
Shipped priority mail -- and it was. About $24 for DVD and shipping.

I think the Toots Thielemans 40-minute performance (backed by pianist Kenny 
Werner) was worth the price of admission. I've seen Toots several times on TV 
and I have some of his recordings.


But why is a masterclass featuring the guy who is arguably the best jazz 
chromatic player in world did not include any harmonica players?

I wondered about that myself until I saw the video.   Turns out the jazz 
students comprise the backup band for their segment: Toots is the harmonica 
player. (There may be another issue: is harmonica regarded on the university level 
as a major jazz instrument or do harmonica players still have to major in 
mainstream instruments?)

When asked about his impression of the student band, Toots replied: "There is 
more to playing a song than starting at the same time and ending at the same 
time." He indicated a song needed some punch in the middle. "Keep practicing," 
he said to the band.

Toots asked the guitar player how long he had been playing. (Toots also plays 
guitar quite well.) The guitarist said, "Ten-twelve years." 

"Keep practicing," Toots said. Earlier Toots 

Gary Giddings, a jazz historian, introduced Toots to the audience with some 
backround aboout Toots' career. Later he interviewed him backstage for 17 
minutes. Special features include a 31-minute interview with Toots and a 24-minute 
interview with Gary Giddins.

It never got too musically technical. While Toots mentioned a chord 
progression or two, how he followed the inner voicing of chords, for the most part the 
Masterclass seemed to be aimed at a general audience.
 
Phil







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