Allen Toussaint

Artist Description

"In a career that has spanned nearly half the century, Allen Toussaint has exerted an unparalleled influence over the New Orleans music scene." - The New Orleans Times Picayune

Allen Toussaint, one of America's greatest musical treasures, returns for a monthly New Orleans brunch series. Singer, pianist, songwriter, arranger and producer - the New Orleans native and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee has been making hit records for over forty years. His massive influence on American music reaches deep into the idioms of rhythm and blues, pop, country, musical theater, blues and jazz.

Some of the best known hits penned by Toussaint include: Ernie K-Doe's Mother-in-Law; Fortune Teller, recorded by both Benny Spellman and The Rolling Stones; the Lee Dorsey hit Working in the Coal Mine, also recorded by Devo and The Judds; and the Grammy-nominated Southern Nights, recorded by Glen Campbell.

The master has produced such artists as Etta James, Albert King, Chocolate Milk, The Meters, LaBelle, Ramsey Lewis, John Mayall and Dr. John, and has been covered by and/or performed with the Pointer Sisters, Bonnie Raitt, The Judds, Robert Palmer, Otis Redding, The O'Jays, Boz Scaggs, Johnny Winter, Ringo Starr, Paul Simon, Chet Atkins, Lenny Kravitz and Elvis Costello, among others. In 1996, he co-founded NYNO Records with Joshua Feigenbaum, devoted to presenting the indidgenous music of New Orleans, and releasing his first solo album in 17 years, "Connected."

In New Orleans, Toussaint is revered for his distinguished record in public service, consistently devoting his talents to a variety of community and charity programs.