Heaven has a new angel, and Jesus can this one whistle a tune.
Belgian jazz legend Toots Thielemans has passed away. Just yesterday, I was online checking the dates of the Toots Thielsmans Jazz Festival which takes place annually at La Hulpe, Belgium. I was hoping to attend next summer, and wondered if Toots would still be able to perform his magic.
Last night we ended at “Bouquet du Nord” in the mostly Black neighborhood Saint-Raoul. Violinist Stéphane Grappelli lived opposite this cafe and used to come in for a drink and jam with the tziganes.
These guys were terrific here kicking ass on “Sweet Georgia Brown” (I couldn’t resit exclaiming “take me home Daddy!” after the guitar solo at 1:20)
We had a lovely time at Le Bouquet du Nord. Hope to visit again for gypsy jazz.
We attempted to hear hear some music at a popular jazz club in Paris last night. I was thinking Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto’s “Corcovado.” Instead of “quiet nights and quiet stars,” there were millions of cars beeping soccer chants (think “Ole, Ole” being performed at your steering wheel.) It was absolutely bonkers. C’est la vie.
Pas De Merde 