Allen Toussaint and New Orleans Music on Fat Tuesday

On Tuesday night Colleen and I attended a fest of New Orleans style music at UCLA's Royce Hall.  It was the last night of Mardi Gras and they gave us a feel of the wonderful Fat Tuesday scene.  The Dirty Dozen, made up of seven musicians boomed out great toe tapping and clapping music...some danced in the corners...some paraded around the auditorium with the "Saints Go Marching In." 

Then Allen Toussaint and his three band members came out....Allen in a Red and Gold suit sat at the piano and showed that he still has it at the age of 75.  His most recent album, "Bright Mississippi," has him playing traditional New Orleans Jazz music with a great band and this concert had some of those songs.  He is all over the place on the grand piano, playing with energy and flare.  We were all swaying and moving with the music.  He ended his hour plus concert with a rendition of his famous "Southern Nights" and we all lightly floated on our way.  Twas a fun night!