Allen Toussaint at Jazz Fest 2015. Photo by Kim Welsh.

New Allen Toussaint Album Due Out in 2016

Our hearts have been heavy this week as we’ve reported on the death of New Orleans icon and all-around musical genius Allen Toussaint, who passed away in Madrid earlier this week at the age of 77.

Now, NOLA.com is reporting that fans will be able to listen to more music from the legendary songwriter, producer and performer. According to the publication, Toussaint recently finished recording a new album with producer Joe Henry, who worked with him on 2009’s The Bright Mississippi and 2006’s Elvis Costello collaboration The River in Reverse.

Nonesuch Records plans to release the album at some point in 2016. The label says that the LP was recorded at two sets of sessions, with the first taking place at Toussaint’s home studio in 2013. The second session, which wrapped up in Los Angeles last month, featured a core band and a number of guest soloists.

A statement from Henry, which appears on NOLA.com, reads:

Joining Allen over four days this past October in a Hollywood studio were the rhythm section of Jay Bellerose and David Piltch joined by other masters of understated invention—guitarist Bill Frisell; legendary tenor saxophonist Charles Lloyd; multi-instrumentalist Greg Leisz; the luminous singer Rhiannon Giddens; and the irrepressible composer/arranger/pianist Van Dyke Parks, who had a long friendship and collaborative relationship with Allen dating back to the early 1970s.

I have been working with Allen Toussaint—under his spell and subject to his influence—for a full decade now. He was a quiet radical, musically-speaking, and a prince of great humility. In listening to all of the recordings these past days, reeling from the shock of his sudden death, it has meant so much to feel Allen’s spirit, vibrant and undiminished. Allen’s family, our friends at Nonesuch, and I look forward to sharing the music with the world.