This morning I woke up to some pretty sad news regarding one of my favorite artists/musicians/producers to grace Earth. Mr. Allen Toussaint’s contribution to music far exceeds the New Orleans R&B sound he cultivated so gracefully. So many of his own songs were covered by or sampled by the likes of The Rolling Stones, Jay- Z, Bo Diddley, The Doors, OutKast, Mary J. Blidge, Lee Dorsey, Little Feat, Robert Plant, and so many others.  Additionally he produced songs for Paul McCartney, Dr. John and The Meters…ah yes and remember that song “Lady Marmalade”? That was him too. Mr. Toussaint was a beast on the keys yet had such a light way of transferring his gift to the souls of millions. He carried the New Orleans rhythm and blues for decades, constantly letting the influence of soul and funk and rock to get a taste of that sweet sound.
      Due to his immense talent he has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. After Hurricane Katrina, Toussaint used his gifts to uplift the city through the power of music. He’s been touring around the world, never ceasing to put NOLA on the map, never ceasing to uplift a city that he embodied. In 2013, President Barack Obama awards him the National Medal of Arts. All this to say, fantastic musician, intuitive producer and writer and all around good guy.
      In all my little tributes, I like to share my personal stories if I am lucky enough to have them. I first saw Allen either late 2013 or early 2014 in DC at the Hamilton where I was selling merch. I got to sit right beside the stage and listen to him perform my favorite song, Southern Nights, as well as some other favorites like Soul Sister, Working In the Coal Mine and Mother In Law. He made the show a Mardi Gras performance; throwing beads, sun umbrellas, giving the crowd a little glimpse into the beauty that was his culture. I’d never really seen the city come alive on such a small stage in the middle of a cold DC winter, but that’s just the glory of a true New Orleans artist—it’s kind of impossible to feel the magic. After the show, I walked with my boss as he took Mr. Toussaint to his car and at the light the living legend thanked me for working that night and shook my hand as my boss introduced us. I, of course, am a huge fan so this was a great moment I experienced that NONE of my college friends seemed to grasp. I called my parents immediately to geek out (they also had seen him a few times at Jazz Fest) as I walked to the metro, no longer feeling the sting of the 30-degree wind- the performance of Southern Nights replaying in my mind tirelessly gradually transporting me back to the warmth of a New Orleans night.
   The following spring I went to New Orleans to visit my dear friend Erin who was studying at Tulane -- I was then introduced to my first Jazz Fest. The first person we saw was Allen Toussaint who came out in one of his festive plaid suits. His hands danced along the keys, his voice sweetly covered the Fair Grounds and the crowd was elated. It was a performance I know I will never forget because it made me feel good. That’s how I feel every time I throw on one of his songs because as often as I do so I still feel warm and happy. As the Meters said on the Toussaint produced “Hey Pocky A-Way”, “feel good music, I’ve been told, good for the body and it’s good for your soul” if that doesn’t describe Allen Toussaint’s music then I don’t know what does. Rest in Peace, thank you for sharing your city and sound with us.
