The Official Web Site of Allen Toussaint

At a star-studded gala at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in

New York on Thursday night, legendary singer/pianist/

songwriter and record producer Allen Toussaint was

inducted into the prestigious Songwriters Hall Of Fame.

Veteran rock star Boz Scaggs walked out on stage and

sang “Hercules”, Allen’s timeless parable about survival

in the modern world which had been a highlight of Boz’s

fourth Columbia album “Slow Dancer” back in 1974.

Mr. Toussaint then joined him on stage to accompany on

piano as Boz sang “Hello My Lover”, another of Allen’s

songs which he’d previously recorded but which had

started out life on a 1960 single by the late Ernie K-Doe.

The Scaggs/Toussaint set then finished with the two of

them duetting on “What Do You Want The Girl To Do”,

one of the standout songs from Allen’s landmark 1975

Reprise album “Southern Nights”.

Boz then officially presented Allen with his Award and

the SRO audience rose to their feet and applauded in

heartfelt appreciation.   

"when I meet someone like Allen Toussaint - that for me is like meeting, you know, someone the equivalent of the Dalai Lama because for me, he influenced the way I played the piano, he's a historical part of rock and roll." 
- Elton John on Elvis Costello's Spectacle

 The audience at Orchestra Hall greeted Allen Toussaint, who turned 73 Friday, with a chorus of "Happy Birthday." Toussaint, perhaps the most gracious performer I've ever seen, seemed genuinely touched.

Perhaps that's why he played his piano and sang so passionately over the next two hours. I suspect, though, that the New Orleans icon's music always sounds like a gift to audiences. It certainly did Friday.

The show, which also featured Don Byron on clarinet and tenor saxophone and Nicholas Payton on trumpet, drew heavily fromToussaint's 2009 release, "The Bright Mississippi." Byron and Payton helped transport the whole crowd to New Orleans as they rode the joyous melody set down by Toussaint when he played the title track from that album.

That was just a taste. Byron's solos on Sydney Bechet's were riveting. And Toussaint and Payton's duet on "Summertime" tapped into the emotional core of every audience member; I've never heard a better live performance of the tune. Other highlights included the funky rendition of "Get Out of My Life, Woman," a gorgeous version of "St. James Infirmary" and a lively interpretation of City of New Orleans" and a show-stopping reading of West End Blues." Byron's soloon that song was so dynamic that Toussaint left his piano to come watch.

My favorite part of the concert, though, was when Toussaint played a solo medley of songs and sounds from his 50-year career. He seamlessly wove classical riffs in with just about every musical genre imaginable. After the show, one of my friends said Toussaint probably could have kept spinning his magical musical web all night.

I wish he had. Happy birthday, Mr. Toussaint.

Posted by Carl Abernathy- Labels: Blues, Country, Jazz

NOAAHH President Sid Berger, Backstage 2010 Master of Ceremonies Eric Paulsen, Sr. Jane Remson, O.Carm., past President of NOAAHH present NOAAHH co-founder Allen Toussaint with gift of appreciation for his passion and unwaivering support of NOAAHH and its mission. Folk artist Charles Gillam carved from a cutting board a record representative of the 45 record, "Give Today for Tomorrow" - recorded and produced by Allen Toussaint to commemorate NOAAHH's inaugural year - 1985. (Photo by John Barrois)