They may be some of the finest musicians in the world, the yardstick against which up-and-coming jazz players are measured, but their concert will feel like an intimate gathering of good friends when singular harmonica master Toots Thielemans takes the stage at The Music Hall this weekend with pianist Kenny Werner and Brazilian guitar virtuoso Oscar Castro-Neves.

Werner and Thielemans, collaborating together for several years, have developed a musical rapport that's much like a deep conversation. Drawing on a combination of originals and standards, they create music that's energetic, romantic, humorous and thoughtful. Adding Castro-Neves into the mix deepens the interaction and adds a subtle Latin touch.

Thielemans, known also for his talents as a guitarist and whistler, is first and foremost a peerless jazz musician who handles the harp like nobody else. For 50 years, critics have continually noted his seductive sound and ability to interact with other musicians-"an extraordinary improviser who can make the harmonica sing like Bird," noted the San Francisco Chronicle.

Born in Belgium in 1922, Thielemans has said he developed an ear in the cradle, listening to musicians playing in his parents' pub. He began playing accordion at age three and, influenced by Django Reinhardt, went on to tour Europe and work in the United States in the 1940s and '50s with Charlie Parker, Benny Goodman and George Shearing, among others. Since then, he's recorded film scores-from the end theme of Sesame Street to the score of Midnight Cowboy-pop albums with the likes of Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon and Billy Joel, and numerous recordings with Quincy Jones. He also has several recordings under his own name, including his early Man Bites Harmonica and more recently The Live Takes Vol.1 and Toots Thielemans and Kenny Werner. He's probably more widely known recently for his popular two-volume Brasil Project in the 1990s, on which he interacts on harmonica with top Brazilian musicians.

He continues his tradition of masterful collaboration on his recent tour with pianist Werner, with whom he began working regularly just a few years ago. Werner, who has connections to the University of New Hampshire and plays the Seacoast occasionally, has earned an international reputation for daring and innovation, from the 1980s through today. Castro-Neves is joining them on and off for their current tour. A founding father of bossa nova, Castro-Neves is considered to be Brazil's greatest living guitarist. They're coming to Portsmouth after a few days at the Manchester Craftmen's Guild in Pittsburgh. The visit will be followed by a short break while Thielemans heads to Belgium, then they'll continue their tour on the West Coast in April.

The Music Hall performance will be Sunday, March 20 at 3 p.m., and the Today Show will be on hand to tape the performance, according to a Music Hall press release. Tickets are $25 to $36 and may be purchased at The Music Hall box office (28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth), by calling 603-436-2400, or by visiting www.themusichall.org.