Nostalgia In Grand Place : Toots Thielemans • TRIBUTE
Olivier Vander Bauwede (hrm) ; Jasen Weaver (b) ; Martin Salemi (p) ; Matthias De Waele (dr)
As part of the anniversary week marking our first year on the Grand Place, what could be more fitting than to dedicate this 53rd edition of our Nostalgia In Grand Place series to the man who gave our club its name: Jean-Baptiste “Toots” Thielemans.
The greatest jazz musician in Belgian history, and the absolute pioneer of the chromatic harmonica in jazz, Toots needs no introduction. His lyricism, his gift for melody, and that unique ability to go straight to the listener’s heart continue to inspire musicians all over the world.
It is the young Belgian talent Olivier Vander Bauwede who now takes up this challenge. Remarkable for his musicality, sensitivity and mastery, he stands today as one of the very few harmonica players able to approach this legacy with accuracy, personality and depth. Belgium has long been waiting for an heir worthy of such a name — and Olivier Vander Bauwede may well be one of those ready to carry that promise forward.