One of the great figures of R&B and Funk music: Allen Toussaint

Born in 1938 in Gert Town, a working class neighborhood of New Orleans, Allen Toussaint is part of the second generation of R&B and Soul composers and musicians to emerge from this particular region of Louisiana.


New Orleans is the cradle of many forms of Afro-American music including Jazz and Rhythm & Blues. This influence went so far as to inspire the formulation of Ska and Reggae in Jamaica in the 1960s.
This freedom of expression that people of color had in this America still under the influence of slavery was very singular in New Orleans. Unlike the rest of the country, slaves in New Orleans did not work on plantations (or other manual labor) but rather worked in a field related to their training in Africa (as blacksmiths, for example).


These slaves/craftsmen also enjoyed weekends, during which they gathered in Congo Square to relax, trade, sing and dance to various African rhythms. This environment (also infused with voodoo culture) fostered various local traditions such as parades, Jazz funerals (during which the funeral march is done to the sound of brass instruments), Mardi Gras and Saturday Night Fish Fry.



These festive Saturday night gatherings, over food and drink sold for a little extra income, were done to the sound of guest musicians (mostly pianists), providing an important stage for the development of New Orleans music (just like Congo Square).


The genesis of New Orleans R&B in the 1940s is largely attributable to Professor Longhair and his syncopated piano blues with Latin rhythms - a style to which Allen Toussaint later added a funky touch.


In a career spanning more than fifty years, Toussaint modernized the brass sound of New Orleans parades, then revolutionized the scene in the 1960s with his compositions and arrangements for several artists. Many of his productions from the 70's are recognized as great gems of Funk. He was undeniably the greatest catalyst of the New Orleans R&B and Funk scene during those decades.


Toussaint et Dr. John

His compositions were performed by Lee Dorsey, Irma Thomas, Aaron Neville, Dr. John, the Yardbirds, the Rolling Stones, Iron Butterfly, Elvis Costello...


His influence is immeasurable.