Toots Mellow Tone – the classical and ballad legend

Not many artists could handle the chromatic harmonica as incredibly well as Jean-Baptiste Fréderic Isidor, Baron Thielemans, better known as Toots Thielemans. He was the most iconic Jazz harmonica player of the 20th century and played with artists like Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, and Jaco Pastorius. He served as a great influence to many others, including John Lennon. To honor this Jazz legend with only one instrument would have not done him justice, which is why HOHNER teamed up with him and designed two instruments to his specifications. The Toots Mellow Tone is the first of the two, with short slot reeds and thin reed plates for a rich, warm sound perfect for ballads.

Toots Hard Bopper – the Jazz legend

Being one of the greatest Jazz harmonica players of the 20th century, and an influence to countless artists, it was always clear that one instrument alone wouldn’t pay justice to the incredible Toots Thielemans. So we made two. This second instrument is also designed specifically to Toots’s specifications. Thick reed plates and long slot reeds give the Hard Bopper a rich, voluminous sound and incredibly fast single reed response, making it perfect for fast-paced, rocking styles.

HOHNER harmonicas can be seen here.