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Allen Toussaint live at KPLU

Allen Toussaint at KNKX in 2011
Justin Steyer
/
KNKX
Allen Toussaint at KNKX in 2011

Pianist, vocalist, producer and songwriting legend (and Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame inductee), Allen Toussaint stopped by the KPLU studios on June 1 and took us on a sweet and uplifting trip to New Orleans with his music.

Mr. Toussaint has crossed many paths in his illustrious career in music. He has produced, written for, and performed with music giants such as Dr. John, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs and Irma Thomas to name a few.

Toussaint began the performance with the first song he ever recorded, Happy Times. He followed that up with a song originally written for himself, but was turned into a huge hit by Boz Scaggs, and later Bonnie Raitt, What Do You Want The Girl Do:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liVv4PMPx2o

His final song, It's A New Orleans Thing, inspired by the late Professor Longhair, who Toussaint refers to as the "Bach" of New Orleans music. Listen for hints of Professor's classic Tipitina throughout the tune:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fY2-KZ1I70

Toussaint's studio session was the first half of a doubleheader that day. Check out the second half of the show, The Regina Carter Trio!

Nick began working at KNKX as a program host in the late 1980’s and, except for a relatively brief hiatus, spent the next three decades with the station. He worked as a jazz and blues host, music director and production manager. Nick retired from KNKX in 2024.
Abe grew up in Western Washington, a third generation Seattle/Tacoma kid. It was as a student at Pacific Lutheran University that Abe landed his first job at KNKX, editing and producing audio for news stories. It was a Christmas Day shift no one else wanted that gave Abe his first on-air experience which led to overnights, then Saturday afternoons, and started hosting Evening Jazz in 1998.