Allen Tousaint

See him perform on you tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGAFOz5GA8I

Allen Toussaint is one of America?s greatest musical treasures. Singer, pianist, songwriter, arranger and producer ? the New Orleans native has been making hit records for over forty years. His massive influence on American music reaches deep into the idioms of rhythm and blues, pop, country, musical theater, blues and jazz. Two years ago, Toussaint added yet another credit to his lengthy list of accomplishments, co-founder of NYNO Records. Launched in conjunction with the 1996 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, NYNO has to date released 11 albums covering a range of New Orleans music, led by Connected, Toussaint?s first full-length national release in nearly two decades.

Recorded in New Orleans at Toussaint?s famed Sea-Saint Recording Studios, Connected offers Toussaint?s trademark mix of Professor Longhair-inspired piano licks, funky r&b and sensitive balladry. The album?s lyrics touch on the desire for love and the longing for oneness, both between individuals and among the world family. This recent collection includes performances from such New Orleans mainstays as trumpeter Dave Bartholomew, guitarist Leo Nocentelli (The Meters), drummer Russell Batiste (The Funky Meters), saxophonist Amadee Castenell and many other skilled musicians.