Allen Toussaint's performance of "Confessin' (That I Love You)," off his forthcoming album American Tunes, may now be heard here and downloaded with album pre-orders. The song, made known by Louis Armstrong, is one of the tracks on the album recorded with a band that includes Jay Bellerose, Bill Frisell, Greg Leisz, Charles Lloyd, and David Piltch. The Joe Henry–produced album, Toussaint's final recording, also includes a set of solo piano performances like "Big Chief," which is also available now with pre-orders.

American Tunes, the final recording from legendary New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint, is due out June 10, 2016, on Nonesuch Records. It was produced by Joe Henry and features both solo piano recordings and others made with musicians including Bill Frisell and special guest Rhiannon Giddens. In this article, writer Michael Hill examines the story behind the album and presents reflections on Toussaint and his legacy from fellow musicians Paul Simon, Bonnie Raitt, Irma Thomas, and Aaron Neville; author Tom Piazza; and the album's producer, Joe Henry.

Nonesuch releases American Tunes, a new studio album by legendary New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint, on June 10, 2016. Toussaint had just completed the album when he passed away in November of last year. Recording took place at two sets of sessions with producer Joe Henry: solo piano at Toussaint's New Orleans home studio, and with Jay Bellerose, David Piltch, Bill Frisell, Charles Lloyd, Greg Leisz, and guests Rhiannon Giddens and Van Dyke Parks in Los Angeles. There are works by Toussaint, Professor Longhair, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Paul Simon, and others. Nonesuch Store pre-orders include an instant download of the album track "Big Chief" plus an exclusive print.

The New Orleans City Council has passed a resolution officially declaring Allen Toussaint's birthday, January 14, as Allen Toussaint Day in the City of New Orleans. The resolution was signed by all councilmembers and presented before Toussaint's family and friends. "Our artists and musicians are our ambassadors, as their talents, hard work, and genius creates the culture for which we are internationally known," said New Orleans Councilmember Susan G. Guidry. "Allen served our city as one of our finest ambassadors."

In memory of Allen Toussaint, "Tipitina and Me" from Our New Orleans

Dr. John and Allen Toussaint, two favorite sons of New Orleans, received honorary degrees from Tulane University in New Orleans at its 2013 Commencement held at the Superdome on Saturday. Both Grammy Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees received honorary doctor of fine arts degrees and performed together in a short set. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, who delivered the keynote address at the event, received an honorary doctorate of humane letters. Natasha Trethewey, the US poet laureate and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for poetry, was awarded a doctor of humane letters.

The 2013 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, aka Jazz Fest, gets under way today as the first of two consecutive weekends of music unfolds. Included among this weekend's performers are Joshua Redman with his Quartet and New Orleans native sons Dr. John and Allen Toussaint. The Black Keys help close out the festival next weekend. Also in New Orleans this weekend is Fatoumata Diawara, who performs at the House of Blues. 

Dr. John and Allen Toussaint, two favorite sons of New Orleans, will receive honorary degrees from Tulane University at its 2013 Commencement, the school has announced. Both will receive honorary doctor of fine arts degrees at the school's May 18 commencement ceremony, to be held at the Superdome in New Orleans. The Dalai Lama, who is set to deliver the keynote address at the event, will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters. Natasha Trethewey, the United States poet laureate and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for poetry, also will be awarded a doctor of humane letters.

The line-up for the 2013 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, aka Jazz Fest, has been announced, and among this year's performers are four artists familiar to readers of the Nonesuch Journal: The Black Keys, Joshua Redman, and New Orleans legends and hometown heroes Dr. John and Allen Toussaint. Jazz Fest runs across two weekends, April 26–28 and May 2–5. The opening weekend includes sets from the Joshua Redman Quartet, Dr. John, and Toussaint; The Black Keys help close out the entire festival on Sunday, May 5.

The 2012 New Orleans Jazz Fest got under way last weekend. Carolina Chocolate Drops gave "a joyous, emotionally committed show," reports the Times-Picayune, which calls Cheikh Lô's set "as colorful and unique as his signature patchwork tunic," and notes that Dr. John sounded "newly invigorated" as on his new album, Locked Down. He also joined Bruce Springsteen on stage to help close the first weekend in style. This coming weekend sees Dr. John's return and a set from another favorite son of New Orleans, Allen Toussaint.

The 2012 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, better known as Jazz Fest, gets under way today and runs through this weekend and the next at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. Among the performers set to take the various stage at the festival this year are four artists familiar to readers of the Nonesuch Journal: two New Orleans legends and hometown heroes, Dr. John and Allen Toussaint, plus two artists whose unique musical styles will make them feel right at home at Jazz Fest, Carolina Chocolate Drops and Cheikh Lô.

The line-up for the 2012 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has been announced, and among the artists performing at next year's Jazz Fest are three performers familiar to readers of the Nonesuch Journal: Carolina Chocolate Drops, Cheikh Lô, and New Orleans' own Allen Toussaint. All three are performing during the festival's opening weekend, April 27–29, 2012, at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans.