Photo by Stephen Maloney

Photos: French Quarter Fest 2015, Day 1

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French Quarter Fest 2015 brought New Orleans music to the edge of the Mississippi on the first day of the festival.

The Grammy winning Rebirth Brass Band energized the crowd at the Abita Beer stage before headliner Allen Toussaint and his ace band took the stage.

While the river provided an amazing backdrop to the show, it also ferried along a potential show stopper.

The always dapper Toussaint proved that he is also musically unflappable when he didn’t miss a beat as the Steamboat Natchez interrupted his French Quarter Fest set with several blasts from its steam whistle.

The 77 year old Toussaint sprung to his feet and waved to the Natchez as it passed, his signature smile spread across his face.

Where else can a living legend be interrupted by a vintage paddle boat huffing and puffing and chugging up the Mighty Mississippi 50 yards away?

And that was just the first day of the French Quarter Fest!

Allen Toussaint, French Quarter Fest 2015, Photo by Stephen Maloney, OffBeat Magazine

All photos by Stephen Maloney. Click here to view the gallery on Flickr.