Jul 22, 2025 10:58 AM
Pianist, Educator Hal Galper Dies at 87
Hal Galper, a pianist, composer and arranger who enjoyed a substantial performing career but made perhaps a deeper…
The Fujitsu Jazz Festival will honor Jean Toots Thielemans at a special concert event at Carnegie Hall on March 16. “The Magic of Toots” will feature the music of Toots, the man who Quincy Jones calls “one of the greatest musicians of our time on his instrument,” as well as performances by Herbie Hancock, Ivan Lins, Eliane Elias, Paquito D’Rivera, Oscar Castro-Neves, Joe Lovano, and other surprise guests.
The concert, sponsored by Fujitsu Limited and produced by Pat Philips and Ettore Stratta, will be under the musical direction of Kenny Werner, Toots long-time duo partner.
The event will celebrate the extensive career of the still internationally touring 83-year-old harmonica player. Toots has played alongside the likes of George Shearing, Ella Fitzgerald, Quincy Jones, Bill Evans, Benny Goodman, Jaco Pastorius, Natalie Cole, Pat Metheny, Charlie Parker, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, and Gilberto Gil, among many others.
Tickets are available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office and range in price from $18 to $66. The number for the box office is 212-247-7800, or tickets can be purchased online at carnegiehall.org.
Galper was often regarded as an underrated master of his craft.
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Hal Galper, a pianist, composer and arranger who enjoyed a substantial performing career but made perhaps a deeper…
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