2006年VOA标准英语-Toots Thielemans Pays Tribute to Harold Ar

By Doug Levine
Washington
30 April 2006

Toots Thielemans may not be a household name, but his music has been heard by millions the world over.
 
  
  
He played guitar and harmonica in a folk-jazz style that pre-dated Bob Dylan; his harmonica playing was a highlight in "Midnight Cowboy" and "Sesame Street"; and his whistling solo will forever be remembered in a television commercial for "Old Spice" aftershave.

But, after 50 years of making music, whether it was on record, television, stage or screen, Toots would probably want to be best remembered for his love of American jazz.

Jean "Toots" Thielemans was 30 years old when he came to the United States from his native Belgium in 1952. Within a few years he was a member of Charlie Parker's All-Stars. Later, he recorded with Ella Fitzgerald, Quincy Jones and The George Shearing¹ Quartet. His real claim to fame came in 1962 with his jazz standard "Bluesette," featuring his accomplished² whistling and guitar playing in unison³.

Although he began as a guitarist, Toots Thielemans became most associated with the harmonica. His name is often at the top of Down Beat's readers and critics poll in the category of Miscellaneous Instruments. On Toots' new album "One More For The Road," his harmonica is perfectly⁴ suited to such Harold Arlen classics as "Over The Rainbow," "That Old Black Magic" and "Stormy Weather."

There aren't many jazz artists who would turn down an appearance on a Harold Arlen tribute album, and fewer still that would turn down a chance to perform with Toots Thielemans. Among the special guests is Oleta Adams who sings up a storm on "Stormy Weather."

As Toots honors Arlen, some of the biggest names in jazz came to honor Toots. A special concert dedicated⁵ to the harmonica master, called "The Magic Of Toots: A Celebration of Toots Thielemans," was held before a capacity crowd at Carnegie Hall on March 16. It featured fellow musicians Herbie Hancock, Joe Lovano, Paquito D'Rivera, Ivan Lins, and keyboardist Kenny Werner who also performs on Toot's album, "One More For The Road."

1 shearing   

n.剪羊毛，剪取的羊毛v.剪羊毛( shear的现在分词 )；切断；剪切

参考例句：

• The farmer is shearing his sheep. 那农夫正在给他的羊剪毛。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The result of this shearing force is to push the endoplasm forward. 这种剪切力作用的结果是推动内质向前。 来自辞典例句

2 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。

3 unison   

n.步调一致，行动一致

参考例句：

• The governments acted in unison to combat terrorism.这些国家的政府一致行动对付恐怖主义。
• My feelings are in unison with yours.我的感情与你的感情是一致的。

4 perfectly   

adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
• Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。

5 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。