Singer and pianist Allen Toussaint has unequivocally left his mark on New Orleans music.
Having released his first record at 20 (The Wild Sound of New Orleans), Toussaint has spent the past five decades writing a slew of hits in multiple genres (“Fortune Teller,” covered by the Rolling Stones and the Who; “Right Place, Wrong Time” covered by Doctor John; “Southern Nights” covered by Glen Campbell) and collaborating with artists including Aaron Neville and, in 2006, Elvis Costello, his co-performer and -writer on the Grammy-nominated album The River in Reverse.
The New York Times acknowledged his omnipresence by saying his “influence on New Orleans music, and on rock ‘n’ roll in general, cannot be captured by ticking off a few of the many hit songs that he wrote.”
Today, at 70, Toussaint tours infrequently but performs with the same zeal as he did half a century ago. It’s a rare treat to catch his act in these parts, so this month’s performances at the Dakota are don’t-misses.
February 13, 7 p.m., $50; 9:30 p.m., $40. Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, 612-332-1010, dakotacooks.com.
