Toots 100

Birthday Celebration

In 2022 we celebrate the 100th birthday of Toots Thielemans, famous jazz musician & Brussels ketje, with a series of tribute concerts, expos and other events. 

What a year it was! Exactly one year ago we had the most wonderful 100th Birthday celebration in Bozar Brussels, with his love Huguette and so many friends on stage and in the audience.
Emotional and simply unforgettable, it was the perfect start of a Toots 100-year full of celebration and joy. An exposition, small “full on”-jazz concerts, and big scenes and performances all over Brussels, Belgium and the world. We went from Dubai to the Netherlands, from New York to Berlin, and remembered Toots on the stages of the festivals he loved so much. All of this was only possible with the help and love of Mrs. Thielemans, our partners, many musicians, the concert halls and you, the music lovers.
“Never stop playing” as he always used to say himself. Thank you all so much!
Most of all it was a pleasure, a gift, an honor even to organise all this. Everywhere we arrived representing his legacy, we were welcomed with a big smile, tons of love, and a feeling of recognition. Even with people we didn’t already know before, there always was that one thing in common: the pleasure of having known Toots. His music, but most of all the positive human being that turned every encounter, short or long, in an everlasting and unforgettable memory for life.
So let’s keep on doing this! Let’s keep on celebrating Toots, the joy of music, and bringing people together. Let’s see and enjoy the positive potential of every moment, just like he did.
Between a smile and a tear. Last year, now and forever.
Happy Birthday Toots!

News

Rewind: Bal National & Resto National

Rewind: Bal National & Resto National

2 Heartwarming events that took place in the Marolles in Brussels:

Bal National on July 20 and Resto National on July 21, 2022.
At both events, Toots' 100th birthday was celebrated with many enthusiastic people.

Rewind: Brosella Festival 2022 – Rewind 01.07.2022 Toots 100

Rewind: Brosella Festival 2022 – Rewind 01.07.2022 Toots 100

Jef Neve en Teus Nobel – improvisation on Bluesette from Toots Thielemans

A small look back at the special Toots 100 evening at Brosella on July 1, 2022.
The first fragment: the duo Jef Neve (piano) and Teus Nobel (trumpet), who perform their own version of the well-known Bluesette by Toots Thielemans.

Bal National & Resto National

Bal National & Resto National

Beste dames en heren van de pers,
of op z’n Bal Nationals:
Beste joengens, maskes en kadeikes van de gazetten,


Le soir des 20 et 21 juillet, ça va danser, chanter, rigoler dans les Marolles ! ? Qu’est-ce que tu penses en bas de ça ?

Toots 100: Brussels celebrates Toots Thielemans’ 100th birthday

Toots 100: Brussels celebrates Toots Thielemans’ 100th birthday

From 22 April onwards, Brussels will be celebrating the 100th birthday of Toots Thielemans. It will be a comprehensive, diverse and fitting tribute to the Brussels jazz icon who passed away in 2016. On the programme are lots of concerts, an exhibition, and above all, plenty of memories and discoveries.

Past Events

DatumStadHourLocatie InfoLink
17-03-2022Leuven12.15HBibliotheekToots 100 lezing door Marc Van den HoofLINK
19-03-2022Leuven20HCC30LUCA Bigband ft Hermine Deurloo - rebirth collectieve ft Tutu PuoaneLINK
26-03-2022Oudenaarde HarmonieDuoconcert Jef Neve - Teus NobleLINK
31-03-2022

Brussel

Goudblommeke in papier“Ket Talks” stories about TootsLINK
10-04-2022JetteBibliotheek“Ket Talks” stories about TootsLINK
17-04-2022Austerlitz
The Netherlands
BeauforthuisMike del Ferro - Frans Van der Hoeven - Roy Dackus en Tollak OllestadLINK
22-04-2022Bilzen20HCC De KimpelThank you TootsLINK
23-04-2022

Brussel

CC BruegelExpo Pictures of Toots on the Brosella festivalLINK
23-04-2022

Brussel

13HCC BruegelRebirth ceremony with festivities of the giant doll Toots LINK
24-04-2022Amsterdam
The Netherlands
BimhuisMike del Ferro Trio FT. Luca Ciarla & Max De AloeLINK
27-04-2022Anderlecht19HCC BeeldenstormMarc Matthys + guests plays Burt Bacharach meets Toots ThielemansLINK
29-04-2022

Brussel

20HBOZARToots Thielemans 100th Anniversary official concertLINK
29-04-2022Mol15HBeiaardconcertToots on BellsLINK
29-04-2022Mol20HPodiumzaal SJB - CollegeMols accordeonensemble cond. Ludo Mariën with Steph Van Uytvanck - harmonica LINK
30-04-2022Mol20HPodiumzaal SJB - CollegeMols accordeonensemble cond. Ludo Mariën with Steph Van Uytvanck - harmonica LINK
30-04-2022

Brussel

14HWarandepark Kunstberg Beursplein Grote MarktMusic on several locations in Brussel with several amateur music organizations of Flanders
30-04-2022

Brussel

20HJazz StationInternational Jazz Day- Toots Thielemans revisitedLINK
30-04-2022’s Hertogenbosch

The Netherlands
21HVerkadefabriekJef neve- Teus Nobel duoLINK
01-05-2022Tournai20.30HJazz FestivalBrussels Jazz Orchestra with Kenny Werner - Grégoire Maret - Philip CatherineLINK
01-05-2022

Brussel

16HBrussels ConservatoriumBrussels Philharmonic Orchestra cond. David Navarro Turres -Toots concerto Olivier Poumay:harmonicaLINK
01-05-2022Sint Martens LatemLeiebochtDuoconcert Jef Neve - Teus NobleLINK
02-05-2022Heerlen
The Netherlands
20HParkstad Limburg.
Theater Heerlen RABOzaal
The sound of a Belgian Legend - Metropole Orkest and guestsLINK
04-05-2022Enschede
The Netherlands
20.30HWilminktheaterThe sound of a Belgian Legend - Metropole Orkest and guestsLINK
04-05-2022Merksem20.30HConcertzaal De VolkslustBen Vanderweyden QuartetLINK
05-05-2022

Brussel

19HKBR - EXPOMatthias Heyman : Toots Tourbillon. Toots’ early years in BelgiumLINK
05-05-2022Essen
Germany
20.30HPhilharmonie Alfried KruppThe sound of a Belgian Legend - Metropole Orkest and guestsLINK
06-05-2022

Brussel

12.30HRoyal Library Belgium concertzaalConcert with Nathalie Loriers - Bart De Nolf - Grégoire MaretSOLD OUT
06-05-2022Ardooie20.30HDe SchaduwDuoconcert Jef Neve - Teus NobleLINK
07-05-2022Stabroek20HZaal MoorlandDuoconcert Jef Neve - Teus NobleLINK
07-05-2022Utrecht
The Netherlands
20.15HTivoli VredenburgThe sound of a Belgian Legend - Metropole Orkest and guestsLINK
08-05-2022Amsterdam
The Netherlands
15HTheater CarréThe sound of a Belgian Legend - Metropole Orkest and guestsLINK
10-05-2022

Brussel

20HBOZAR - zaal MToots 100 & Beyond Toots Thielemans AwardLINK
10-05-2022

Brussel

20H6 rue de l'Argonne NaPraça feat Marylène Corro - Nova EraLINK
Van 09-05-2022
tot 21-05-2022

Brussel

FlageyPhoto exhibition Foyer I in Flagey : Toots through the eyes of the photographerJos KnaepenLINK
Van 09-05-2022
tot 11-05-2022

Brussel

11HRoyal Library Belgium Colloqiuim: "Toots Thielemans (1922-2016). A Century of music across Europe and America"LINK
19-05-2022

Brussel

19HKBR - EXPO
Frederik Goossens
20-05-2022

Brussel

Blue Flamingo Festival“Ket Talks” stories about TootsLINK
22-05-2022

Brussel

12.30HMuziek instrumenten museumConcert with Ivan Paduard en Olivier Ker OurioLINK
22-05-2022UkkelGC Het Huys“Ket Talks” stories about TootsLINK
22-05-2022Kalmthout14.45HMimuzeDuoconcert Jef Neve - Teus NobleLINK
23-05-2022La HulpeTBAL’Académie de musique Harmonica concertTBA
25-05-2022La HulpeTBAOli-Wood guest houseFrédéric VialeTBA
27-05-2022

Brussel

19HMaison Jamaer
Avenue de Stalingrad 62
Yassir Bousselam QuartetLINK
Van 27-05
tot 29-05-2022

Brussel

Jazz WeekendSeveral locations in BrusselsLINK
29-05-2022

Marollen (Brussels) - Molenbeek

WalkFanfakids in the footsteps of TootsLINK
02-06-2022

Brussel

17H-22HKBR - EXPO NocturneMeet the legend lecture and behind the scene LINK
04-06-2022

Brussel

11HKoninklijke Bibliotheek Belgie Bibliothèque RoyalBart Cornand (NL) - In de sporen van Django - Toots op gitaarLINK
04-06-2022Antwerpen20HLove2Arts GalleryDuo Marc en Vanessa MatthysLINK
05-06-2022Holsbeek20.45HKasteel Van Horst Duoconcert Jef Neve - Teus NobleLINK
06-06-2022Kortrijk11HOpenlucht concert Schouwburgplein KortrijkConcorde Jazz Ensemble cond. J. Deryckere en gasten Marc en Vanessa MatthysLINK
From 28-04-2022
until 09-06-2022

Brussel

Royal Library Belgium Nocturnes in KBR every Thursday evening from 17H until 22H with special eventsLINK
11-06-2022Laken19HAtomium
Atomiumplein 1 - Laken
Toots Tribe Musicians: Stéphane Mercier – alto sax
Jeanfrançois Prins – gitaar
Christophe Devisscher - contrabass
Bruno Castellucci - drums
LINK NL
LINK FR
11-06-2022Terneuzen
The Netherlands
Zeeland Jazz Fest.Mike del Ferro
LINK
14-06-2022San Francisco

The United States
SF Jazz Festival
Kenny Werner - Grégoire Maret :duo
15-06-2022La Jolla
The United States
The AthrnaeumKenny Werner - Grégoire Maret :duo
16-06-2022New Mexico

The United States
The Outpost
Kenny Werner - Grégoire Maret :duo
16-06-2022

Brussel

19HKoninklijke Bibliotheek Belgie Bibliothèque RoyalHugues Warin ( FR) - La posture de Toots face à uneLINK
17-06-2022KoekelbergBaseliekYoung “ Toots” Quintet and What a Wonderful TootsLINK
18-06-2022Molenbeek - KoekelbergWalkFanfakids in the footsteps of TootsLINK
23-06-2022

Brussel

19HKoninklijke Bibliotheek Belgie Bibliothèque RoyalGéry Dumoulin (FR) Harmonicas et anches libres: questions de principeLINK
Van 24-06
tot 26-06-2022
La HulpeTBAJazz Village TourSmall concerts on 8 locations in La HulpeLINK
25-06-2022Rotterdam
The Netherlands
Mike del Ferro
LINK
26-06-2022Feerwerd
The Netherlands
14.30HKerkJef Neve- Teus Nobel duo
LINK
26-06-2022

Brussel

19HKBR - EXPOGéry Dumoulin: Harmonicas and free reeds: a question of principleLINK
26-06-2022La HulpeL’Académie de musiqueOpendoor concertsLINK
26-06-2022La Hulpe17.30HGrand PlaceWest Music ClubLINK
26-06-2022Zutphen
The Netherlands
Mike del FerroLINK
26-06-2022Kortrijk22HJazzkaffee Damast
Duo Marc en Vanessa Matthys
LINK
28-06-2022

Brussel

20HT'chabola, Stalingradlaan 25 (Stalingrad Village)Aleph quintetLINK
30-06-2022

Brussel

20HL'Antartique, Stalingradlaan 67Aleph quintetLINK
Van 01-07
tot 03-07-2022

Brussel

Groentheater Brosella FestivalLINK
05-07-2022

Brussel

20HTBANaPraça & Marylène CorroLINK
10-07-2022

Brussel

11HKoninklijke Bibliotheek Belgie Bibliothèque RoyalMarc Danval ( FR) toots Bruxelles et la BelgiqueLINK
20-07-2022

Brussel

Marollen- Vossenplein- Place du Jeu de BalleBal NationalLINK
21-07-2022

Brussel

Marollen- Vossenplein- Place du Jeu de BalleResto NationalLINK
21-07-2022Tienen16.45HJazz Tienen Festival - “Thank you Toots”Ben Vanderweyden QuartetLINK
04-08-2022Place Communale de La Hulpe16.30H« Mon plus beau village »La Hulpe needs 100 persons to whistle or sing Bluesette Inscrivez-vous ici
12-08-2022RosignolGaume Jazz Festival Tootsology with Antonio Serrano QuartetLINK
14-08-2022AntwerpenJazz Middelheim
Park Den Brand
Toots Thielemans 100th Anniversary official concertLINK
27-08-2022

Brussel

12HKoninklijke Bibliotheek Belgie Bibliothèque RoyalJacques Onan avec Michel Herr, Michel Hatzigeorgiu et Bruno Castellucci (FR) - Toots chef de Band(e)LINK
31-08-2022

Brussel

Koninklijke Bibliotheek BelgieAfsluiting Expo The sound of a Belgian Legend”
Till 31-08-2022

Brussel

Subway construction site Metro 3 (Marollen)Exposition " The live of Toots Thielemans
from his early years in the Marollen until his
career as musicians all over the world.
LINK
Till 31-08-2022

Brussel

Koninklijke Bibliotheek BelgieExposition “ The sound of a Belgian Legend”LINK
25-09-2022GrimbergenBaseliekBeiaardconcertLINK
Till 30-09-2022

Brussel

Royal Library of Belgium ( KBR)Group offer” Toots 100 - The sound of a Belgian Legend” A guide shows you around in the exhibition “Toots 100. The Sound of a Belgian Legend”. Through images and music, you will learn all about Toots as a musician and a human being, but above all about his “sound”. Discover what makes Toots’ sound so special and how he used it in various domains of music.LINK
02-10-2022

Brussel

14HIn front of the Cathedral Saint Michael and GuduleFree open air concert with 2 carillon. One of the Cathedral and one on a truck. LINK
02-10-2022

Brussel

14HMusical Instrument Museum - MIM
Free entrance
Duo Szabadsag : Ariane Cohen-Adad : violin, viola, 5-string fiddle, vocals
Jefferson Louvat : mandolin, mandola, mandocello
LINK
30-10-2022Geel14HCC De WerftTribute to Toots Thielemans 2440 Big Band met Ben Vanderweyden
02-11-2022Amsterdam

The Netherlands
20.15HConcertgebouw - Kleine zaalDutch Jazz Heritage : Toots 100 celebration with the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw special guests: Cor Bakker (piano) and Hermine Deurloo (Harmonica) LINK
From 4 till 6-11-2022NYC
The United States
Dizzy’s JALC
Kenny Werner - Grégoire Maret :duo
13-11-2022Kortrijk20.30HJazzkaffee DamastVanessa Matthys, vocal - Marc Matthys, piano - Bart De Nolf, bass - Luc Vanden Bosch, drums.LINK
17-11-2022Brugge20.00HStadsschouwburg te BruggeKoninklijke Muziekkapel van de Marine olv kapelmeesterB. VerschooreLINK
25-11-2022La HulpeL’Eglise st Nicolas
L’Académie de musiqueLINK
26-11-2022Berlin
Germany
15.00HCentre Manouche Liebigstraße 25 - BerlinMasterclass with Steven De Bruyn
Collaboration between Harmonica School Berlin, The Legacy of Toots Thielemans and Brussels-Capital Region.
Participation is free. Please register by mail: contact@harmonica-school-berlin.com
26-11-2022Berlin
Germany
21.00HZigZag JazzClub Berlin - GermanyBert Joris Quartet with special guests celebration Toots 100th BirthdayLINK
16-12-2022La Hulpe20.00HL’Eglise st Nicolas
Philip Catherine Quartet invites Grégoire Maret (Harmonica) LINK

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