Allen Toussaint has been shaping the sound of New Orleans rhythm & blues for more than 50 years, carrying on the tradition of a crew of legendary trailblazers who preceded him to the Blues Hall of Fame: his main influence, Professor Longhair; the producer/bandleader who hired him for his first recording session, Dave Bartholomew; and rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Fats Domino. Bartholomew used Toussaint to lay the piano tracks on several Domino sides in 1957-58, and Toussaint was on his way to a prolific career as a studio musician, songwriter, producer and arranger, establishing himself as a major force behind the scenes. Toussaint also stepped out front with his own records and live performances, and now headlines festivals around the world, including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, where he is a perennial favorite. Toussaint, who was born on Jan. 14, 1938, in the Gert Town district of New Orleans, has also been featured in the HBO series named after another historic neighborhood, Treme, and has been acclaimed for his community and charity work in the city. His credentials include Broadway plays, movie soundtracks, co-ownership of NYNO Records, an appearance with Professor Longhair in the documentary Piano Players Rarely Ever Play Together, and productions and collaborations with rock, gospel, country, jazz and reggae stars, in addition to a long list of R&B, blues, funk and soul artists. He has produced records by Albert King, James Cotton, Z.Z. Hill, Etta James, John Mayall, Ernie K-Doe, Lee Dorsey, Irma Thomas, the Meters, the Neville Brothers, Earl King, Labelle, and Dr. John, and has penned such often-covered classics as ‘Mother-in-Law,’ ‘Get Out of My Life, Woman,’ ‘Fortune Teller,’ and ‘Working in the Coal Mine.’ His own albums have blended New Orleans R&B, jazz, blues, sweet soul, and hard funk, all graced by the elegant Toussaint touch. Blues content has varied but is to the fore on his 2009 album Bright Mississippi,’ which echoes the Crescent City’s traditional jazz legacy with versions of classics such as ‘St. James Infirmary’ and ‘Winin’ Boy Blues.’
