Rockburn Presents - Allen Toussaint

For over 40 years Allen Toussaint, the New Orleans pianist, composer and producer, has played a pivotal role in the history of popular music. Many of his songs have been sampled by artists such as Christina Aguillara, Lil Kim, and Missy Elliott. As a composer and arranger and producer he has worked or collaborated with such artists as The Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello, The Judds, Paul McCartney and Wings, Paul Simon, Labelle, Etta James and The Band. He is probably best known for having written such classics as Working in The Coalmine, Yes We Can, Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley, and Southern Night. Toussaint's musical odyssey began when he was just a child and in his words, a box arrived at his home that had black and white keys that when touched produced wonderful musical notes. Toussaint was hooked and by his 20s was writing, arranging, and performing with New Orleans legends Irma Thomas and the Neville Brothers. For years Toussaint was a well known fixture in New Orleans, rarely venturing away from the Mississippi Delta. All of that changed when Hurricane Katrina nearly annihilated the city. Toussaint was forced to leave and settled in New York. He began to tour and partnered with Elvis Costello for the album The River in Reverse. Toussaint continues to be featured at Jazz Festivals across North America and Europe. Ken Rockburn spoke to Allen Toussaint in Syracuse, New York.