Allen
“My music is homegrown from the garden of New Orleans. Music is everything to me short of breathing. Music also has a role to lift you up - not to be escapist but to take you out of misery”
Allen Toussaint
Artist
Allen Toussaint
The 48th Black Heritage stamp honors a New Orleans legend.
Allen Toussaint (1938–2015), a true son of New Orleans, was the heartbeat of the city’s iconic rhythm and blues sound, bringing its infectious groove to audiences around the globe. The 48th stamp in the Black Heritage series celebrates this musical powerhouse — a virtuoso pianist, singer, songwriter, composer, arranger, and producer whose genius gave rise to countless hits across a wide range of genres. Continue on News Page
U.S. Postal Service Provides Sneak Peek at 2025 Stamps
Black Heritage: Allen Toussaint
In recent years, the Black Heritage series has celebrated a man one year and a woman the next. Next year, the 48th stamp in the series will honor Allen Toussaint (1938–2015), the virtuoso pianist, singer, songwriter, composer, arranger and producer responsible for scores of hits across multiple genres. Designed by Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, the stamp features a photograph taken by Bill Tompkins in New York City in 2007.
Originally commissioned by NOBA and premiering at the Mahalia Jackson Theater in 2014, the dramatic restaging of this work with new costumes and choreography by Parsons Dance will be joined by Reginald Toussaint and The Allen Toussaint Orchestra, as we honor the life and legacy of a New Orleans icon. “Parsons’ dancers are young, hot and incredibly athletic. Gorgeous daredevils, they keep people gaping … ” (The Washington Post).
Award Winning
Artist
Legendary New Orleans Writer, Singer, Producer, Songwriter, Arranger, Session Pianist, Solo Artist
Latest
Album
American Tunes
American Tunes is the final recording from legendary New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint. Produced by Joe Henry, it features both solo piano recordings and others made with musicians like Jay Bellerose, Bill Frisell, Greg Leisz, Charles Lloyd, David Piltch, and special guests Rhiannon Giddens and Van Dyke Parks. There are works by Toussaint, Professor Longhair, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Paul Simon, and others. The Los Angeles Times says it’s “a rich pianistic tour de force of American music.” The Times of London calls it “gorgeous,” exclaiming: “Swan songs don’t get any better.”
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