Musical tribute planned in New Orleans as mourners remember singer, producer Allen Toussaint

NEW ORLEANS – A musical tribute is planned Friday for legendary New Orleans singer, recording artist and producer Allen Toussaint, (TOO-sahnt), who died last week.

Jasminne Navarre of Rhodes Funeral Home says visitation will begin at 8 a.m. at the Orpheum Theatre, with three hours of music starting at 11 a.m. Details on the expected performers were not immediately available.

Toussaint’s burial afterward will be private.

Rather than flowers, Toussaint’s family requests donations to New Orleans Artists Against Hunger and Homelessness.

Toussaint died in Spain of a heart attack not long after performing Nov. 10 at Madrid’s Lara Theater.

The hundreds of hits he wrote ranged from “Working in the Coal Mine” to “Southern Nights.”

After Hurricane Katrina, Toussaint toured to bring attention to New Orleans and its music.