Allen Toussaint

(The 48th Stamp in the Black Heritage Series)

First Day of Issue Ceremony
January 30, 2025
New Orleans, LA

From left, Quint Davis, producer of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Irma Thomas, Chief Postal Inspector Gary R. Barksdale, Alison Toussaint-LeBeaux and Clarence "Reginald" Toussaint and sing song writer and friend of Allen, Elvis Costello. (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)

On January 30, 2025 the U.S. Postal Service celebrated the iconic New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint (1938-2015) as the 48th honoree in the Black Heritage stamp series. As a virtuoso pianist, singer, songwriter, composer, arranger and producer, Toussaint played a pivotal role in shaping the unique sound of New Orleans music and introducing it to a global audience. A dedication ceremony for the stamp was held at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center in New Orleans.

Allen Toussaint Bio

Chief Postal Inspector Gary R. Barksdale speaks during the unveiling of the Allen Toussaint Black Heritage stamp (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)

Alison Toussaint-LeBeaux and Clarence ÒReginaldÓ Toussaint stand by a poster of their father during the unveiling of the Allen Toussaint Black Heritage (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)

Brian "Breeze" Cayolle introduces Allen Toussaint Orchestra during unveiling (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)

Alison Toussaint-LeBeaux and Clarence ÒReginaldÓ Toussaint speak about their father during the unveiling (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)

Singer and songwriter Elvis Costello speaks during the unveiling of the Allen Toussaint Black Heritage stamp (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)

Emcee Brian "Breeze" Cayolle introduces speakers to a crowd during the unveiling of the Allen Toussaint Black Heritage (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)