Hilton Head Monthly Magazine

When 73-year-old legend Allen Toussaint called from New York City, the sound of piano keys dotted the conversation: Toussaint wanted to be interviewed sitting at his piano, and finished each sentence with a run of notes. For more than 50 years, Toussaint has been a producer, arranger, songwriter and performer. His songs have been covered by Otis Redding, Lee Dorsey, the Rolling Stones and countless others. And when Hurricane Katrina decimated New Orleans, Toussaint rose to action, playing benefits and providing for his city a hopeful, inspiring face. These days, with a string of albums pushing him along, Toussaint isn’t ready to quit. Not even close.

Q. Your name is so tied to New Orleans. Do you feel like you are a representative of the city?
A. I wouldn’t say it myself, but I really like it that friends do. But really, there are so many other wonderful people there.

Q. You’ve spent time as a producer and arranger, as well as a performer. What different challenges do those roles give you?
A. I always consider my comfort zone to be in the studio, recording other groups and artists. That’s my forte; the hat I’ve worn the most. Now, I love arranging and writing songs. And, of course, playing the piano is my first love. But of all of the roles, the last one I feel comfortable in is performing myself.

Q. Have you felt resurgence in your career in the past few years, or did you never go away?
A. Oh, I definitely feel there’s been resurgence. In fact, it’s less resurgence than surgence! I’ve never been on the stage so much as now — after Katrina, when I migrated to New York and began playing benefi ts, I hooked up with Elvis Costello. That was a milestone. That took me to a whole new world. Also, people got to put a face with the name of one who’d been a writer and producer on many recordings. Performing solo all around the country, and sometimes around the world — it’s given me new life.

Q. You’ve been embraced by a generation of music fans much younger than you. Is that surprising?
A. Very, but I find it quite gratifying as well. Also, I might add, some rap recordings have sampled my music (see Jay-Z’s “D’evils”). That’s quite a high honor. These guys are on a fast track. For them to honor music I’ve made so many years ago, that’s quite a charge.

Q. Which young musicians are the most exciting to you?
A. I think Lil Wayne is a giant. He has quite a heart. Usher is outstanding. His head is on straight. And the ladies — oh, every one of the ladies out there. It would be something for me to find someone I didn’t like. I like this musical process and evolution. I just love it.

WHERE TO BEGIN
Southern Nights: Toussaint tackled funk, soul and even psychedelia on his second solo album for Reprise in 1975, expanding the New Orleans sound he’d nailed down since the 1950s.
Connected: After sitting out much of the 80s and 90s as a performer, Toussaint returned in 1996 with this collection of original New Orleans R&B jams, supported by musicians from his city.
The River in Reverse: Toussaint’s much-lauded 2006 collaboration with Elvis Costello was a soaring love letter to his broken hometown.