Questlove on Allen Toussaint: ‘He Wrote Some of Your Favorite Music and You Just Didn’t Know It’

Soul and R&B legend Allen Toussaint died at age 77 following a concert in Madrid yesterday. Tributes from fellow musicians have already begun pouring in, remembering Toussaint’s vast influence and extraordinary musicality.

Allen Toussaint, Legendary New Orleans Producer, Songwriter & Performer, Dies at 77

Fellow New Orleans musician Trombone Shorty (who frequently collaborated with Toussaint) tells Billboard in a statement, “New Orleans and the world has lost a true musical genius.  Allen was a tremendous friend and mentor to me and other musicians in New Orleans.  Everything I do is influenced by my musical upbringing in New Orleans — and Allen was a huge part of that.”

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11/10/2015

Questlove remembered the New Orleans legend in an Instagram essay that spanned his Lee Dorsey years to Amerie‘s “1 Thing” (yes, that’s a Toussaint-produced sample). “I can go on and on. Because his work goes on and on,” the drummer/DJ said, concluding, “His work will now speak for itself.” Read the full post below:

 

Man this hit home. Of all the cats that I never had a 1 on 1 convo w/ to pick their brain about their music experiences: this is numero uno. I don’t want y’all thinkin’ “this is just some old legend that passed away” naw. This dude wrote some of your favorite music & you just didn’t know it. He effected SO many genres. That’s how you know how potent and effective your art is: when you quietly change the scene w/o proper acknowledgement. If someone had the right to have KWest brag swag it was this man. But his humble quiet disposition wouldn’t allow such a thing. His work will now speak for itself. Just take time to peep his work w #LeeDorsey (#GetOutMyLifeWoman #RideYourPony) some of the greatest clever pop tunes crafted. Hip hop heads still salivate over all #TheMeters tunes he produced & shot new energy into the culture once sampling #JamesBrown was becoming stale (#CissyStrut #LookKaPyPy #JustKissedMyBaby #OhCalcutta) then came a slew of artists in the 70s & 80s that took his work & breathed new life into his songs: #YesWeCanCan #LadyMarmalade #WorkingInACoalmine) —name em! His work was so powerful everyone from #PaulMccartney to #DrJohn to #EricClapton to #TheRollingStones to even #JayZ (“….dear god I wonder can you save me?”….that piano loop? #Toussaint all day) #Amerie’s most banging joint? (A Toussaint production sample) at least 12 “Get Out My Life Woman” snares were like starch in hip hop’s daily nutritional chart–meaning so there you barely notice it.—I can go on and on. Because his work goes on and on. You’ll read better op-eds by professional journalists. Kinda hard to cram all of this hiding from trainer in the gym on iPhone. But i felt the need to write something. When I tag #LegacyGoals I mean it. Humble cat whose work spoke louder than he did. That’s what we all need to learn from. Rest In Beats to the powerful #AllenToussaint

A photo posted by Questlove Gomez (@questlove) on Nov 10, 2015 at 6:46am PST

Read more artist tributes below:

We have lost a giant. Elegant, soft-spoken–and a musical Matterhorn. RIP Allen Toussaint. https://t.co/gvGkoGgYbX

— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) November 10, 2015

A brief musical survey of the range of work of the great Allen Toussaint, who passed away yesterday. https://t.co/1HzFl52pjh

— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) November 10, 2015

RIP Allen Toussaint. The man was a genius. He wrote, arranged and produced many great records, including this one https://t.co/9evD7igMkF

— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) November 10, 2015

Thank you for your faith in me! I will never forget all the love and time you gave helping me to find my voice….. https://t.co/JTJ5yCoKPB

— Christian Scott (@cscottjazz) November 10, 2015

Rip Mr. Allen Toussaint – thank you for the recent butt kicking. #lifeisgangster

— Ambrose Akinmusire (@amBROSEire) November 10, 2015

 

RIP Mr. Allen Toussaint.. A New Orleans GIANT!! Put my city on the map.. Thank you. #Nola ?

A photo posted by PJ Morton (@pjmorton) on Nov 10, 2015 at 7:55am PST

got word that Allen Toussaint passed away in Spain last night after a show. He was a grt talent. He was a kind man and a gentleman.

— Cyndi Lauper (@cyndilauper) November 10, 2015

RIP to the great Allen Toussaint

— Diamond D (@diamondditc) November 10, 2015

Ruth Pointer, on the passing of #AllenToussaint … pic.twitter.com/yd6LOvkyoP

— The Pointer Sisters (@PointerOfficial) November 10, 2015

Sad to hear about Allen Tousaint. I was honored to share a stage/get to talk with him for a minute a couple of years ago. He was very kind.

— Theodore F. Leo (@tedleo) November 10, 2015

Paul on Allen Toussaint pic.twitter.com/MtmzRHFEAE

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) November 10, 2015

R.I.P. to the master #allentoussaint eternally grateful. @allentoussaint https://t.co/pz4PUX454X

— jim james (@jimjames) November 10, 2015

I’m so deeply saddened to hear of the loss of my dear friend, @AllenToussaint. He was one of the most gentle… https://t.co/2PVUamirkT

— Bonnie Raitt (@TheBonnieRaitt) November 10, 2015

It is with sadness that the great to have to tell you that the great singer,producer and composer Allen Toussaint… https://t.co/LMJ5pRYw4m

— Jack DeJohnette (@DeJohnetteMusic) November 10, 2015

This morning I learned of Allen Toussaint’s passing. We have lost a Titan, legend and kind soul. #RestInLove pic.twitter.com/dR1NkyYsZi

— Dee Dee Bridgewater (@ddbprods) November 10, 2015

we will never see the likes of the beauty of allen toussaint again. R.I.P.

— Flea (@flea333) November 10, 2015

Prayers up. RT @WendellPierce: We have lost one of the legends of New Orleans and giants of the music world; Allen Toussaint has died.

— Bun B (@BunBTrillOG) November 10, 2015