Allen Toussaint at Damrosch Park

In the early 1960s, Allen Toussaint (born January 14, 1938) was already influential figure in New Orleans rhythm and blues, writing and producing for Irma Thomas, Aaron Neville, Lee Dorsey and other local artists who were becoming known nationally. Starting in the 1970s, he gravitated to a funkier sound, writing and producing for the Meters, Dr. John and the Wild Tchoupitoulas. He also began to work with non-New Orleans artists including B.J. Thomas, Robert Palmer, Willy DeVille, Sandy Denny, Elkie Brooks, Solomon Burke and Mylon LeFevre. Over the years, his songs have been covered by dozens of pop and rock artists. Since 1958, he has recorded 13 solo albums, the most recent being 2009’s The Bright Mississippi.

At Damrosch Park in Lincoln Center tonight, Toussaint played solo at a grand piano. Having no other musicians to crowd the sound, a listener could hear immediately how quick Toussaint was at the piano keys. Playing in a Dixieland honky tonk style, Toussaint masterfully tore up the notes with nimble fingers. He sang well as well. It was a pleasure to hear the composer sing stark naked interpretations of his own songs, including "Working in the Coalmine" (a hit for Lee Dorsey) , “Yes We Can Can” (a hit for the Pointer Sisters), "Get Out of My Life, Woman" (covered by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Iron Butterfly, the Jerry Garcia Band, the Doors, Gerry Rafferty and the Derek Trucks Band), and "Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley" (recorded by Robert Palmer, Ringo Starr and Phish). He also performed songs by other composers that mentioned his hometown, like Arlo Guthrie’s “City of New Orleans,” all with a down south flourish missing in many of the original versions. Even after 55 years in the music business, Allen Toussaint still has more than enough style to impress music audiences.