Legendary New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint has passed away. The pianist and composer was on tour in Europe and performed last night at the Lara Theater in Madrid, Spain, before suffering a heart attack. Emergency services were called to his hotel but were not able to revive Toussaint. He was 77.

Toussaint was a staple of the New Orleans jazz and rhythm and blues scene for decades, writing and playing with everyone from Glen Campbell to Dr. John to, more recently, Elvis Costello. He also composed the hit songs “Working in a Coal Mine” and “Lady Marmalade.” Toussaint was an active performer even in his later life.

Several musicians have taken to social media to pay their respects to Toussaint, including The Meters’ George Porter Jr., who had recently played with Toussaint at New Orleans’ Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival. View Porter’s poignant tribute below, along with others that will be added as they are posted.

George Porter Jr.:

Today’s news of Allen Toussaint’s passing while he was on tour in another place other then home shakes me to the core and saddens me very much. We have chosen to live a life we love and for some reason want to do it for more than the money. We do it really for the love we get from the world and the smiles on the faces of people when we play our songs. Musicians that live on the road do have some fears, that we may not get back home safe, being away from home when our family needs us or being on the road alone when sad things happen. The two people I have loved longest in my life passed away while I was not home almost a year apart. Losing my Brother and my mother when I was not home was terribly hard. Now I have once again lost someone I care about while I am sitting alone in a hotel room. I still need to get through the flights home before I can comfort my wife and grieve my friend.

Still I am going to keep doing what I do, maybe that is crazy but it is what I love. Allen would expect no less, he lived and loved this life too for the same reason, the happiness music can bring. Todays News broke my heart, it is a real shock. When I played with AT at this years Blues & BBQ I told him I needed him to help me with some music that I have run into a brick wall with, he smiled and said send it to me. I got busy and did not send it, I always thought there was time, Allen seemed so happy and healthy. So sudden it is hard to believe. Thank You Allen Toussaint for the music that you gave me a chance to play with you, as well as the music that I have come to play because of what I learned from seeing up front and close how you could get the best out of an artist. You could get them to find stuff in themselves that they didn’t know was there. You inspired me in so many ways. Your talent as a musician and a producer has been a major role model in how I approach my own music and how I interact with other musicians on stage and in the studio. Allen, Your music will live on and your teaching will continue to inspire. You are a true legend and have left a legacy like no other. gpjr

Galactic:

RIP Allen Toussaint. Sad day for New Orleans music. We were fortunate enough to perform and record with him for our YA-KA-MAY album. A tue legend, Allen, you will be missed.