A group of New Yorkers have organized a tribute to Allen Toussaint for this Saturday, November 28.
According to the event’s Facebook page, the “traditional New Orleans Jazz funeral” will begin at noon at Holley Plaza in Manhattan’s Washington Square Park. Organizers of the gathering have noted that the tribute will include a procession and second line led by the Jambalaya Brass Band, which will follow a simulated coffin as it is carried through the park.
The tribute to Toussaint will be free and open to the public, but no alcohol is permitted in the park (this isn’t New Orleans). The event is also on a weather permitting basis, and a rain date has been scheduled for the following Saturday, December 5.
As previously reported, Toussaint passed away in Madrid earlier this month at the age of 77. The New Orleans icon was honored with a heartfelt, star-studded tribute show at the Orpheum Theater in New Orleans this past Friday.