Allen Toussaint // Earshot Jazz Festival October 23, 2006

$24 general; $22 members/discount BUY TICKETS: 206-838-4333
Welcomed by KEXP's Roadhouse with Greg Vandy

A solo show by the elegantly funky New Orleans pianist and singer who has penned some of R&B's greatest songs.

As singer, pianist, composer, arranger, and producer, Toussaint has been deep in New Orleans—and American —cultural life for more than four decades. Whether making hit records for others, or performing his own enthralling style of music all over the world, he has been a true American treasure.

His hits for others have been as various as "Fortune Teller," which the Rolling Stones recorded (after Benny Spellman), Lee Dorsey's top-seller "Working in the Coal Mine," and "Southern Nights," which Glen Campbell recorded. He also penned "Java," a huge hit for trumpeter Al Hirt, and "Whipped Cream," which helped to make Herb Alpert a household name. If you listen to oldies radio, chances are you hear Allen Toussaint tunes every day. The list of artists he has inspired, produced, or provided with hits is very, very long.

When he takes the stage, himself, he shows himself a disciple of the legendary Professor Longhair as he ranges over funky R&B numbers and sweet ballads with charm and panache.

He has been playing and singing that way publicly since well before 1958, when he cut his first solo platter for RCA. He has, since that time, been a public treasure in New Orleans, and is set to deepen that status in this city.

Official Website: http://earshot.org/fest/artistinfo/allentoussaint.html