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May 2009, Rosebud News One of the performances by New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint, during a residency at the historic Village Vanguard in NYC from May 19 - May 24, 2009, was broadcast on NPR and is available here. During the run, producer Joe Henry sang “St. James Infirmary” and Elvis Costello was called out from the audience by Allen to sing “Ascension Day,” a song from their Grammy nominated 2006 collaborative album, The River In Reverse. In The New York Times review of the show, Jon Pareles writes, “No matter what the source, the rendition was poised and light-fingered, without an unconsidered note. And somehow New Orleans was in every phrase, with hints of swing, of humor, of sly sensuality... It wasn’t a re-creation of old New Orleans music but a reverie on a New Orleans heritage: a lifetime of memories refined by a genteel sensibility that finds the elegance in the blues.” His critically acclaimed new album, The Bright Mississippi, provided the foundation of the Vanguard performances, which featured most of the players from the recording, except Nicholas Payton, who was filled in for by Christian Scott (trumpet), with Don Byron (clarinet/tenor sax), Marc Ribot (guitar), David Piltch (bass), and Jay Bellerose (drums). Prior to multiple performances in and around this year’s New Orleans Jazz Fest, Allen was honored in a tribute at the Jazz Fest Foundation Gala, after receiving the prestigious Grammy Trustees Award and participating in the worldwide Grammy broadcast in February. See Allen live in concert, including stops in Japan and Europe, please see tour dates>>
Rosebud Artists could be found performing in a wide variety of formats during the 40th Annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (April 24 - May 3). Allen Toussaint was feted at the Jazz Fest Foundation Gala, as an all star lineup paid tribute to him in person and on video. This was followed by a rousing set from Trombone Shorty, then Allen performing with an all star band. Later in the week he performed his new CD, The Bright Mississippi, at Snug Harbor where the audience was as enthusiastic as the media has been for the new material. His next stop was The House of Blues where Preservation Hall opened for Allen's high energy set full of hits. The Grand Finale for Allen was a Big Band set, preceding Neil Young's closing set, on the Festival Main Stage..... read full story >>
Allen Toussaint and Trombone Shorty are each featured on the two official posters for the milestone 40th Anniversary New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival this year. Trombone Shorty is, by about two decades, the youngest artist ever to be featured on the festival poster - quite an honor and an acknowledgement of his already impressive accomplishments and outstanding talent.Allen Toussaint, fresh from an appearance on the 2009 Grammys telecast and recipient of the 2009 Grammy Trustees Award will release, The Bright Mississippi, his first solo album in more than a decade on April 21, 2009. The Fest takes place over the last weekend in April and first weekend in May, 2009. Past editions of the prestigious Jazzfest poster have featured Louis Armstrong, Professor Longhair, Wynton Marsalis, Mahalia Jackson, Harry Connick, Jr. and the inventor of New Orleans Jazz, Buddy Bolden. Opening day of each year's Festival sees throngs of collectors sprinting for the poster tent and the poster usually selling out before the Festival's end. For a history of the Jazzfest poster phenomena, please see: Allen Toussaint and Trombone Shorty will be performing at Jazzfest and around New Orleans during the festival, as well as touring the country and overseas throughout the year, please see tour dates:
The Bright Mississippi, Allen Toussaint’s first solo album in more than a decade, will be released by Nonesuch Records on April 21, 2009. Noted producer, Joe Henry, has become a trusted collaborator of Allen's in recent years and he helmed the unique project on which Toussaint reinterprets classic jazz and blues tunes by jazz greats like Jelly Roll Morton, Django Reinhardt, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, and Billy Strayhorn. Allen's featured band on the disc are guitarist Marc Ribot, bassist David Piltch, clarinetist Don Byron, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, and drummer Jay Bellerose, plus Brad Mehldau and Joshua Redman on one track each. The CD comes close on the heels of Allen's recent high profile presence at the 2009 Grammy Awards where he was a featured interviewee in the Grammy Legends series as part of Grammy week. At the Grammys themselves, Allen was honored with the prestigious Trustees Award and participated in the worldwide broadcast in a segment also featuring Lil Wayne, Terence Blanchard and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Catch Allen live, please see tour dates>>  Grammy Congratulations! Allen Toussaint, The Blind Boys of Alabama, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Marcia Ball, Bill Frisell, Trombone Shorty, and James BurtonFebruary 2009, Rosebud News Grammy Congratulations to Allen Toussaint who was awarded the Grammy Trustees Award, performed on the live TV broadcast and was the featured public interviewee Thursday for the Grammys Legends series! Allen's song "Fortune Teller" is also featured on the Robert Plant / Allison Krauss Raising Sand CD - the big winner at the Grammys this year. The Blind Boys of Alabama were honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award and also won their 5th Grammy for their Down In New Orleans CD. BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet were also Grammy winners for their Live CD from the 2008 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band joined Allen Toussaint and Lil Wayne on the Grammy telecast. Also nominated for Grammys were Marcia Ball, Bill Frisell and Michael Doucet for his solo CD. Trombone Shorty was featured on Dr. John's Grammy winning City That Care Forgot and James Burton, who performs in Jim Lauderdale's Dream Payers band, shared the Grammy for Best Country Instrumental for Cluster Pluck. In addition, the Grammys Louisiana luncheon featured appearances and performances from The Blind Boys of Alabama, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Allen Toussaint and Michael Doucet. Congratulations All!  Allen Toussaint Featured On Elvis Costello's Spectacle & New Album Coming SoonDecember 2008, Rosebud News Allen Toussaint is featured in the first episode of Elvis Costello's new Sundance Channel show, Spectacle. The primary guest is Elton John, who says of Allen, "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." In addition to a show opening duet with Elvis Costello, Allen also performs his song (previously a hit single for Lee Dorsey), "Working In A Coal Mine." Allen Toussaint also has a new album coming in the Spring on Nonesuch Records (exact release date TBA). The new CD features guests including Nicholas Payton, Marc Ribot, Brad Mehldau, Joshua Redman, and Don Byron. Austin Scaggs already wrote about the new CD in Rolling Stone proclaiming that Allen is a "piano genius" and that "listening to him tickle the ivories is like being whisked away to a hot, lazy afternoon in the French Quarter." Rosebud Artists Score 5+ Grammy NominationsDecember 2008, Rosebud News Rosebud Artists captured 5+ Grammy nominations for the upcoming 51st Grammy Awards. Artists were honored in the following categories. Best Contemporary Blues Album - Marcia Ball's Peace, Love and BBQ Best Zydeco Or Cajun Music Album - BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet for Live At The 2008 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival as well as Michael Doucet’s own From Now On Best Traditional Gospel Album - The Blind Boys of Alabama for their Down In New Orleans CD which also features Rosebud artist and New Orleans legend, Allen Toussaint Best Jazz Instrumental Album - Bill Frisell’s History, Mystery. Best Long Form Music Video category, Respect Yourself - The Stax Records Story featuring Mavis Staples and Booker T Jones (and named after The Staple Singers’ hit) also scored a nomination. Our heartiest Congratulations and sincere Best of Luck to all the nominees.  Rosebud Artists Nominated For 2008 Roots Music AwardsOctober 2008, Rosebud News The Roots Music Association has nominated four Rosebud artists in six categories for the 2008 Roots Music Awards. The awards will take place during the World United Music Festival in San Marcos, Texas November 14, 15, 16, 2008. The Rosebud artists nominated are, for Blues Artist of the Year and for Blues Songwriter of the Year, Marcia Ball. For Folk Artist of the Year and for Folk Songwriter of the Year, Carrie Rodriguez. For Jazz Artist of the Year, Bill Frisell. For Zydeco Artist of the Year, Allen Toussaint. You can vote for the awards here: Catch the nominees out on tour: Marcia Ball tour dates || Carrie Rodriguez tour dates || Bill Frisell tour dates || Allen Toussaint tour dates  Allen Toussaint Honored at the 19th Annual Heroes & Legends Awards, "Sweet Touch of Love" Featured in New TV AdOctober 2008, Rosebud News Allen Toussaint was recognized with a Pioneer Award at the Heroes & Legends Awards in Beverly Hills on September 28, 2008. The Heroes & Legends Awards and Scholarship Foundation was created by songwriter and Motown Alumna Janie Bradford to aid young people by providing much needed scholarship funds. The annual award dinner honors leading role models with diverse backgrounds such as music, theatre, motion pictures and business. This year’s other honorees include The Funk Brothers, Ernie Hudson and Martha Reeves. Allen’s “Sweet Touch of Love” from his 1971 self titled album is currently featured in the humorous ad for Axe Dark Temptation body spray. Watch the ad here >> Catch Allen Toussaint performing live: see tour dates>> |
Rosebud Artists Everywhere At New Orleans Jazz Fest
Allen Toussaint and Trombone Shorty Featured On New Orleans Jazzfest Posters
Allen Toussaint's The Bright Mississippi, Follows Grammy Honors and Grammy TV Appearance