In The Pocket: Allen Toussaint - Bright Mississippi

Allen Toussaint is an American legend. For the musician's musician, he produced records for The Meters, Lee Dorsey, played organ on Lee Allen's Walking With Mr. Lee. What's more is his work with The Band, Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, Joe Cocker, Little Feat and many more. What is really special about Toussaint is his openness to work with others. The project in question is Bright Mississippi, a record produced by Joe Henry, who himself is gaining quite a reputation as a producer having worked with such artists as Meshell Ndegeocello, Lisa Hannigan, Madonna, Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint, Mavis Staples, Ornette Coleman, and Solomon Burke. Joe Henry is one of the sound sculptors in the same category as T-Bone Burnette, Daniel Lanois or Tom Waits.
Wow - those are some names! With all this history, Toussaint has put together a group to honor his roots, New Orleans that is. The music is unmistakeably deep rooted in the jazz and African-American heritage and the band simply could not get any better. Besides Allen Toussaint and the rhythm section, the band is stacked with Marc Ribot on guitar (who will be doing a solo show the evening before at the Fourth Stage), Don Byron on clarinet and Christian Scott on trumpet.

Not only will this be a show not to forget, but planned out a whole New Orleans evening for you with Trombone Shorty, The Soul Rebels and a street party to boot.

June 25th Festivities on the mainstage are:
6pm - Kelly Craig Sextet
7:30pm - Trombone Shorty
9pm - Allen Toussaint
10:30pm - The Soul Rebels

Allen Toussaint, The Bright Mississippi band: