Alison Toussaint's Book Signing
Alison Toussaint, daughter of Allen Toussaint, is releasing a children's book dedicated to the legacy of her late father.
The book is titled The Prince of New Orleans, featuring beautiful illustrations and a playful storyline.
The Prince of New Orleans
The book, The Prince of New Orleans, will be shown to the public on April 29 at McKinley Studios from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The book is purposefully being released during the second weekend of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, supporting the musical theme of the book.
McKinley Studios will also host a special event to celebrate the launch, in honor of the relationship between Allen Toussaint and the late Larry McKinley, a McKinley Studios radio personality. McKinley signed Toussaint to his first record label.
It has been announced that plans to connect the book with schools and community audiences are in the works, ideally through readings and guest appearances.
The story guides readers through the New Orleans music scene, focusing on the lasting influences of Toussaint's work. His compositions and productions are depicted as highly creative with an enduring impact.
Allen Toussaint
Allen Toussaint represents the founding of the New Orleans' rhythm and blues scene. As early as his teen years, Toussaint was playing in a band and stood in for Huey Smith with Earl King's band at just 17 years old. His first recording took place in 1957 when standing in for Fats Domino on the piano for the record I Want You to Know.
Then, Toussaint's career took off, collaborating with big names in New Orleans such as Fats Domino, Smiley Lewis, and Lee Allen. He also took on producing, leading bands and individual performers on their claim to fame, including The Meters.
Attaining national recognition, Toussaint began working with Paul McCartney and Wings, The Band, Labelle, Boz Scaggs, John Mayall, and Solomon Burke, among others. In 1987, Toussaint even extended his talents to the theater, serving as musical director for the off-Broadway show Staggerlee.
All of these great successes led Toussaint to receive a series of awards. Barack Obama granted Toussaint the National Medal of Arts, and he received the Grammy Trustees Award.
Toussaint was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriter's Hall of Fame, and the Blues Hall of Fame.
