Des arrangements envoûtants

L'idée de Between a Smile and a Tear vient du pianiste et arrangeur américain Kenny Werner. Il fut l’ami fidèle — mais aussi le pianiste — de Toots. Kenny Werner a vraiment une compréhension unique et singulière de la musique et de la personnalité de Toots. Les morceaux qu'ils jouaient autrefois ensemble forment le cœur musical de cet hommage prestigieux : de Footprints (Wayne Shorter) et The Days of Wine and Roses (Henri Mancini) à Smile (Charlie Chaplin) et Ne me quitte pas (Jacques Brel). Les relations intimes que Toots entretenait avec le Brésil seront également présentes grâce à des compositions telles que Começar de Novo (Ivan Lins & Vitor Martins).

Crossing genres

This tribute by a multitude of today’s leading voices, will offer the superstar’s fans a trip down memory lane while simultaneously extending a hand to music lovers in general. « Toots’ music cannot be categorized within one genre », explains conductor and Grammy-award nominee Miho Hazama. « It unites a lot of minds and emotions. Like a voice that talks to you in a very direct way, regardless of your musical background or taste. The variety of musicians that we’re bringing together for this new project, reflects that philosophy. »

Between a Smile and a Tear is a reference to how Toots described his playing. To suitably approach this famous statement, more than 100 musicians are united on stage, all connected to Toots in their own way. Brussels Jazz Orchestra and Brussels Philharmonic are no strangers to each other: in 2012, they shared in the Oscar®-triumph of The Artist (Best Original Score).

« all about the music »

Toots Thielemans played a big role in the life of renowned harmonica player Grégoire Maret. He remembers vividly how they met for the first time: « I was about 17 and impressed with how humble and warm he was. He didn’t need an ego, it was all about the music. He would take the essence of a melody and really dive into it, searching for little diamonds and then going on stage to share that musical beauty. His music is ageless. It’s still relevant and always will be. »