NOVEMBER 2010: Allen Toussaint, Co-Founder of New Orleans Artists Against Hunger & Homelessness To Be Featured At Anniversary Event with Jon Cleary, Irma Thomas And More
Allen Toussaint, who co-founded New Orleans Artists Against Hunger & Homelessness (NOAAHH) with Aaron Neville in 1985, will be featured at the non-profit's 25th Anniversary fund raising gala event on December 5th in New Orleans. Fellow Rosebud artists Jon Cleary and Irma Thomas will also be featured, as well as Jimmy Buffett, Dr. John, Dave Bartholomew, Little Freddie King and Deacon John and the Ivories. As NOAAHH is purely volunteer with no paid staff and no offices to maintain, all of the proceeds will go to direct services for those in need of food and shelter in the New Orleans area. To date, more than $1 million dollars have been distributed to charity since the first NOAAHH concert.
Allen Toussaint scored honors in four categories, including #2 Best Blues Album for The Bright Mississippi, #4 Best Arranger and #5 Best Beyond Album. The Bright Mississippi also came in at #9 for Best Jazz Album of the year. Bill Frisell came in at #3 for Best Guitarist (a category he has won 3 times in the past). Bill was also voted among the top ten Best Composers and his album, Disfarmer, placed #12 for Best Jazz Album. Tommy Castro's Hard Believer was voted #5 Best Blues Album, while Duke Robillard's Stomp! The Blues Tonight earned the #7 Best Blues Album spot and Bettye LaVette was voted one of the Best Blues Artists. Congratulations to all!
OCTOBER 2010: New Eric Clapton CD Features JJ Cale, Allen Toussaint and Trombone Shorty
The new Eric Clapton CD, Clapton, features JJ Cale, Allen Toussaint and Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews. JJ Cale collaborates on 3 songs: 2 of which he wrote ("River Runs Deep" and "Everything Will Be Alright") and 2 of which are duets with Eric (the aforementioned "River Runs Deep" and "That's No Way To Get Along"). Allen and Troy are featured on 2 songs ("My Very Good Friend The Milkman" and "When Somebody Thinks You're Wonderful"), both of which also feature Wynton Marsalis. Troy is also featured on "That's No Way To Get Along" with his Orleans Avenue band mate Dan Oestreicher. Walt Richmond, a JJ Cale band member, plays keyboards on every track. Walt played on the GRAMMY winning gold record by JJ Cale / Eric Clapton, The Road to Escondido, and has also recently worked with Eric as a member of his touring band.
While JJ does not have any tour plans, Allen and Troy can be seen performing across the country this fall, please see Tour Dates >>
SEPTEMBER 2010: Trombone Shorty, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Allen Toussaint Featured in NFL Season Kickoff Festivities
Trombone Shorty, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Allen Toussaint were all featured in NFL Season Kickoff festivities in New Orleans. Trombone Shorty and The Dirty Dozen joined Dave Matthews Band during the NFL Opening Kickoff 2010 pre-game concert, broadcast live on NBC. Shorty, The Dozen and Kermit Ruffins collaborated with DMB on the Talking Heads' classic "Burning Down the House" while the Mardi Gras Indians danced on stage. Taylor Swift also performed at the show.
The night before, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue performed at the NFL Kickoff Eve celebration at the New Orleans House of Blues. Following their set, Robert Randolph and the Family Band played, joined onstage by Allen Toussaint and Trombone Shorty.
Trombone Shorty was also featured with iconic street-musician Grandpa (Playing For Change) Elliott in a commercial wraparound broadcast during the NFL Kickoff game between The Saints and The Vikings.
SEPTEMBER 2010: Allen Toussaint To Support Neil Young Solo Dates
Allen Toussaint will be supporting Neil Young on six of his solo tour dates in late September. Allen will also be performing solo. Four of the shows are Gulf Coast benefits (September 20, 25, 26, 28) for which Neil has teamed up with Tyson Foods to fight hunger in Gulf Coast communities affected by the oil spill. Tyson will donate 100,000 pounds of chicken and Neil is asking concertgoers to bring non-perishable food items to the gigs. All donations will be given to the Bay Area Food Bank, which serves communities in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. In addition, all proceeds from limited-edition Neil Young shirts, available only at the Gulf concerts, will go to help the relief effort. Check out Allen's shows with Neil, Allen's own shows, and his special tour dates in the fall with Nicholas Payton and the Joe Krown Trio, please see Tour Dates >>
SEPTEMBER 2010: Trombone Shorty, Irma Thomas & Allen Toussaint Featured on HBO's Treme Soundtrack (Out 9/28 Digitally)
Trombone Shorty, Irma Thomas & Allen Toussaint are featured on Treme: Music From The HBO Original Series, Season 1 which will be released digitally September 28 (a physical CD is expected in the Fall - details TBA). All three artists were featured on the series playing themselves. Trombone Shorty and his brother James Andrews perform "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" - a song first recorded by their grandfather Jesse Hill in 1960. Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint collaborate on "Time Is On My Side." Irma's 1964 version of the song went on to be covered by The Rolling Stones later that year. Catch Shorty, Irma and Allen live on stage, please see Tour Dates >>
JULY 2010: Thank You To HBO's Treme For Featuring Allen Toussaint, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Jon Cleary, and Music by The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
HBO's Treme series has completed a great first season but will be back next year. We'd like to take this occasion to say Thanks to all at Treme for shining the spotlight on New Orleans, perhaps America's most unique and culturally significant city, and its challenges after Katrina and the flood that followed. Thanks also for featuring the city's incredible music scene and incomparable musicians - including Rosebud artists Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Allen Toussaint and Jon Cleary playing themselves
on-screen, as well as music by The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. We look forward to watching the next season. Catch Jon, The Dirty Dozen, Allen and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue on stage this Summer, please see Tour Dates >>
JUNE 2010: Allen Toussaint To Join Jimmy Buffett In Concert For Gulf Oil Spill July 11, 2010
Allen Toussaint will join Jimmy Buffett for a free concert July 11th in Gulf Shores, AL to demonstrate support for the people, businesses and culture of the Gulf Coast stricken by the Gulf oil spill. The show has been rescheduled from the original July 1st date due to concerns about weather conditions caused by Hurricane Alex. Other guests include Sonny Landreth, Zac Brown Band, Kenny Chesney and Jesse Winchester. The CMT cable network was scheduled to air the concert live and they are determining production logistics for the possibility of airing the July 11 show. The show was also scheduled to be simulcast on Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio, and streamed on the CMT website.
Catch Allen live on stage for his own performances this Summer, including shows and festivals in Canada, Ireland, France and the US, please see Tour Dates >>
JUNE 2010: Allen Toussaint joined Cyndi Lauper for her performance on the Late Show with David Letterman June 14.
Allen Toussaint joined Cyndi Lauper for performances on the Late Show with David Letterman June 14, 2010.
Allen is featured on three songs on Cyndi's new album of blues covers, Memphis Blues, to be released June 22, 2010. At the end of August, Allen will be Cyndi's special guest for a show at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, the legendary Allen Toussaint will also be touring on his own throughout the Summer in Europe and North America, please see Tour Dates >>
MAY 2010:Marcia Ball, BeauSoleil, Jon Cleary and Allen Toussaint To Perform At Gulf Aid Benefit May 16, 2010
Marcia Ball (performing with The Voice of the Wetlands Allstars), BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, Jon Cleary (performing with Steve Riley and The Mamou Playboys) and Allen Toussaint will be among the performers at the Gulf Aid benefit concert at Mardi Gras World River City in New Orleans. Also performing will be Lenny Kravitz, John Legend, Mos Def, Kermit Ruffins, Ani DiFranco, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and many more.
The show will raise funds to focus on two key elements of recovery from the oil continuing to pour into the Gulf of Mexico from the collapsed BP oil rig: wetlands/coastal environmental issues and the well-being of fishermen and the regional seafood industry. All funds will be managed and distributed by the Gulf Relief Foundation in partnership with WWOZ-FM community radio in New Orleans. Donations may also be sent to the Gulf Relief Foundation, a 501 C3 non-profit corporation located at 3001 17th Street, Metairie, LA 70009.
Catch Marcia Ball, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, Jon Cleary and Allen Toussaint playing live on stage individually as they tour throughout the Summer, please see Tour Dates >>
MAY 2010:Charlie Musselwhite and Allen Toussaint Guest On New Cyndi Lauper Album,
Charlie To Join Cyndi On Tour
Charlie Musselwhite and Allen Toussaint are both featured guests on the new Cyndi Lauper album, Memphis Blues, to be released June 22, 2010. Charlie is featured on two songs and Allen is featured on three songs, one of which also features B.B. King. Recorded in Memphis, this collection of blues cover songs also features appearances by Kenny Brown, Jonny Lang and Ann Peebles.
Charlie will also be performing in concert with Cyndi and her band on 17 select dates this Summer around the country. Charlie was just inducted into The Blues Hall of Fame on May 5. He will also be joining the Blind Boys of Alabama Family Revival at New York's Lincoln Center for one night in July and all this is in addition to his own extensive touring. Allen will also be performing throughout the summer in North America and Europe. Catch both Charlie and Allen live on stage, please see Tour Dates >>
MARCH 2010: Trombone Shorty and Allen Toussaint Honored at New Orleans' Big Easy Awards
Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews is being honored as Entertainer of the Year at the 2010 Big Easy Music Awards in New Orleans. Andrews has also garnered two additional nominations for Best Male Performer (an award he won in 2008) and Best Rock Performer. Fellow Rosebud Artist, the legendary Allen Toussaint, is honored with a nomination for Best Album of 2009 for his GRAMMY nominated The Bright Mississippi. The awards are hosted by The Big Easy Foundation and winners will be announced on April 19, 2010 at Mardi Gras World River City Ballroom in New Orleans. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue will perform for the Awards' grand finale, likely making it obvious why Andrews is being honored as the best entertainer.
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue will be performing all over New Orleans before and during this year's Jazz & Heritage Festival. They begin their hometown run with the French Quarter Festival and Tulane University's Crawfest earlier in April, followed by shows during the Festival at The House of Blues, Blue Nile, Tipitina's and on the closing day of Jazzfest on the Gentilly Stage. After Jazzfest, the band has a full summer of U.S. festival shows, as well as dates in Europe and at Japa's Fuji Rock Festival. Watch for Trombone Shorty's major label debut, Backatown, out on Verve Forecast April 20, 2010. Please see Tour Dates >>
Allen Toussaint is still riding high off his GRAMMY nominated The Bright Mississippi, which remains in the top 25 of the Jazz Charts nearly a full year after its release. He was recently featured on Austin City Limits, which devoted the entire program to his performance. Allen just returned from a tour of Europe, headlining shows in Bologna and Rome in Italy and ten shows at the International Jazz Festival Bern in Switzerland. Always a highlight of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Allen will be performing an extra set at the Festival this year in a Jazz format, in addition to his usual soulful set on the main stage. Watch for Allen touring nationwide and overseas before and after the festival. Please see Tour Dates >>
JANUARY 2010: Allen Toussaint, BeauSoleil & Trombone Shorty Score Wins At New Orleans' Best of the Beat Awards
Allen Toussaint was the big winner with Beausoleil and Trombone Shorty also scoring wins at this year's Best of The Beat Awards, presented Friday January 22, 2010 by offBeat magazine. Allen was honored with Awards for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Best Traditional Jazz Album for his GRAMMY nominated The Bright Mississippi as well as a win for Best Piano/Keyboardist. BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet won Best Cajun Performer, an amazing 14th win for them in this category! They also won Best Cajun Album for their GRAMMY nominated Alligator Purse. Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews won Best Trumpeter for the second straight year in a row. The Best of The Beat Awards recognize the best of New Orleans music. Nominees are selected by the editors and writers of offBeat and the public has the opportunity to vote for the winners. This year, offBeat received the largest number of votes ever.
Congratulations to the winners! Check them out live on stage, please see Tour Dates >>
JANUARY 2010: Rosebud Artists Recognized In Village Voice 2009 Pazz & Jop Poll
Six albums and three singles released by Rosebud artists last year are recognized in the Village Voice 2009 Pazz & Jop Poll, which calculated 697 music critics' votes for the most important music of the year.
Listed among the year's top singles are: Booker T., "Hey Ya" & "Space City" Meshell Ndegeocello, "Mass Transit"
In addition, two Rosebud artists were featured band members on two albums and one single of recognition: Jon Cleary (John Scofield's Piety Street) and Jim Lauderdale (Elvis Costello's Secret, Profane & Sugarcane and the song "Sulphur to Sugarcane"). Also of note are recognition for releases by Rosebud artist Charlie Watts' other band (The Rolling Stones, Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out reissue) and Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood, Live at Madison Square Garden, which features three songs penned by JJ Cale.
Congratulations to all! Catch these artists live, please see Tour Dates >>
Rosebud Artists Score Year and Decade End Honors ... read more >>
DECEMBER 2009: Rosebud Artists Honored With 13 Nominations For New Orleans' Best of The Beat Awards
Rosebud Artists are honored with 13 nominations for the Best of The Beat Awards presented by OffBeat magazine, recognizing the best of New Orleans music. Nominees are selected by the editors and writers of OffBeat and voted on by the public. To vote and for more information on the awards click here. The awards take place January 22, 2010 at the House of Blues in New Orleans.
Both Allen Toussaint and BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet are nominated for five awards each. Allen is nominated for Best Traditional Jazz Performer; Album of the Year and Best Traditional Jazz Album for his GRAMMY nominated The Bright Mississippi; Best Piano/Keyboardist; Artist of the Year. BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet are nominated for Best Cajun Performer, a category they have won 13 times; Artist of the Year; Album of the Year and Best Cajun Album for their GRAMMY nominated Alligator Purse. Michael Doucet is also nominated for Best Violinist/Fiddler, a category which he won last year.
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band are nominated for Best Brass Band, an award they have won a number of times in the past. Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews is nominated for Best Trumpeter, a category he won last year. Jon Cleary is nominated for Best Piano/Keyboardist. Congratulations to all the nominees!
DECEMBER 2009: Bill Frisell, Mavis Staples, Allen Toussaint CDs Recognized Among Best of the 2000's by Downbeat Magazine - Frisell #2 Jazz CD of the Decade Per London Times
CDs by Bill Frisell, Mavis Staples and Allen Toussaint have been recognized among Downbeat Magazine's Best of the 2000's, published in their January 2010 issue. Bill Frisell has four CDs on the list: Ghost Town (2000), Blues Dream (2001), East/West (2005) and History, Mystery (2008). Also honored are Have A Little Faith (2005) by Mavis Staples and Allen Toussaint's GRAMMY nominated The Bright Mississippi (2009). The list also names two historical releases featuring future Rosebud artists: Stax/Volt Revue Live In Norway 1967 DVD featuring Booker T. & the MGs and Newport Folk Festival: Best of the Blues 1959-1968 Box Set, which features performances by Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker, who were both Rosebud artists until their passing.
DECEMBER 2009: Allen Toussaint, 2010 GRAMMY nominee, To Be Featured On Austin City Limits and Spectacle with Elvis Costello
Allen Toussaint, nominated for a 2010 GRAMMY for Best Jazz Instrumental Album for The Bright Mississippi, will be featured for the full hour on Austin City Limits airing January 9, 2010 (please check local listings for times here). The program is usually split between two artists but Allen delivered so much great material they have dedicated the full show to him.
Allen will also be one of Elvis Costello's guests on the December 23, 2009 episode of Spectacle on the Sundance Channel, playing with Levon Helm, Nick Lowe and Richard Thompson. Click here for scheduled show times. This is Allen's second appearance on the show: he was a special musical guest in the premier episode with Elton John.
Other CDs honored with nominations include the collection Oh Happy Day, nominated for Best Traditional Gospel Album which features a song by Mavis Staples with Patty Griffin. True Blood, nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album, features a song by Allen Toussaint. Buckwheat Zydeco's Lay Your Burden Down features a guest appearance by Rosebud artist, Trombone Shorty. Ann Savoy of The Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band is also a member of The Magnolia Sisters whose Stripped Down CD was nominated. And Elvis Costello's Secret, Profane & Sugarcane features Rosebud artist, Jim Lauderdale. Jim also co-wrote the title track to George Strait's Twang.
In other Grammy related news, Grammy nominated CDs, Cadillac Records - Music From the Motion Picture and Little Walter - The Complete Chess Masters also include songs written and made famous respectively by former Rosebud artists, the late Willie Dixon and Muddy Waters.
Rosebud has been fortunate in that generally our artists score between 4 and 6 Grammy nominations every year but 10 is definitely a new record and we are Thrilled, especially considering the fact that Rosebud artists only released 14 eligible CDs this past year. Congratulations to all the nominees!
DECEMBER 2009: Allen Toussaint and BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet Selected By Offbeat Magazine as the #2 & #3 CDs of 2009
Allen Toussaint's The Bright Mississippi and Alligator Purse by BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet have been selected by Offbeat Magazine as #2 and #3 in CDs of 2009 (see full list). Both albums are critically acclaimed: The Bright Mississippi was hailed by The New Yorker as "A smoldering instrumental collection of jazz standards and Big Easy fare.." The Boston Globe proclaims BeauSoleil "finds freshness not by infusing vintage styles with contemporary sonics but with vibrant, thoughtful fusions."
NOVEMBER 2009:Bettye LaVette & Allen Toussaint Featured In Tributes To Jerry Wexler, Janis Joplin
Bettye LaVette and Allen Toussaint were featured performers in a memorial tribute to Jerry Wexler in New York City on October 30, 2009. Wexler, who coined the term "rhythm and blues," was a legendary producer and executive at Atlantic Records who signed Bettye in 1962 when she was 16. She performed a searing take on Ray Charles' "Drown In My Own Tears." Allen Toussaint performed his composition "With You in Mind," with Bonnie Raitt providing vocal support.
Bettye will also be featured performing at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame event, Kozmic Blues: The Life and Music of Janis Joplin on November 14, 2009 in Cleveland, OH. The tribute will be a reflection on the career of Janis Joplin and her impact on rock and roll. Susan Tedeschi, Lucinda Williams, Nona Hendryx, Guy Clark, Ray Benson and more are also featured.
Catch Bettye and Allen live on stage, please see Tour Dates - Bettye Lavette >> Allen Toussaint >>
SEPTEMBER 2009: Allen Toussaint, Trombone Shorty and The Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band To Perform At G20 Summit Reception
Allen Toussaint and Trombone Shorty along with The Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band (with Wilson Savoy sitting in for Marc Savoy) are being featured among the Global Ambassadors of Louisiana Music & Culture who will be performing for leaders from around the globe at a VIP reception during the G20 Summit. Celebrating a new chapter in America's leadership on climate change, guests include G20 delegates and diplomats, Obama administration officials and CEOs of environmental, labor and youth organizations. The event is hosted by the U.S. Climate Action Network and Teresa Heinz and Senator John Kerry are Honorary Hosts. It will take place at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, PA on September 23, 2009. President Barack Obama is also scheduled to appear at the event. Both Allen & Trombone Shorty are currently touring.
AUGUST 2009: NPR Features Allen Toussaint (American Routes) and Trombone Shorty (World Café) A live session by Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue will be broadcast Wednesday, August 19, 2009 on NPR's World Café Live. To find the show on a station in your area, please click here. Listen to the show live online from 2-4pm EST on 8/19/09 here. After the program airs, it will be available in show's archives here.
Allen Toussaint will be featured on the American Routes radio show Wednesday, August 26, 2009. To commemorate the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, he will be sharing his thoughts on the recovery of New Orleans and his critically acclaimed new album, The Bright Mississippi. To find the show on a station in your area, please click here. After the show airs it will be archived here.
AUGUST 2009: Allen Toussaint Inducted Into Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame
Allen Toussaint was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame on August 2, 2009. The ceremony took place at the Mother-in-Law Lounge in New Orleans, named after Allen's hit song written for fellow inductee and founder of the Lounge, the late Ernie K-Doe. Benny Spellman, who also enjoyed hits written by Allen ("Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette)" and "Fortune Teller") was also inducted. Allen performed "Mother-in-Law" and "A Certain Girl" at the ceremony. The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame is currently a virtual museum, available for viewing online and they plan to open next year in a downtown New Orleans space. Allen's critically acclaimed new album, The Bright Mississippi, was released in April; he received the prestigious Grammy Trustees Award and participated in the worldwide Grammy broadcast in February.
MAY 2009: Allen Toussaint's The Bright Mississippi Band: Live At The Village Vanguard Broadcast On NPR
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.
MAY 2009: Rosebud Artists Everywhere At New Orleans Jazz Fest
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)
MARCH 2009: Allen Toussaint and Trombone Shorty Featured On New Orleans Jazzfest Posters
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.
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.
FEBRUARY 2009:Allen Toussaint's The Bright Mississippi, Follows Grammy Honors and Grammy TV Appearance
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.
FEBRUARY 2009: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 Burton
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!
The show will raise funds to focus on two key elements of recovery from the oil continuing to pour into the Gulf of Mexico from the collapsed BP oil rig: wetlands/coastal environmental issues and the well-being of fishermen and the regional seafood industry. All funds will be managed and distributed by the 
FEBRUARY 2009: