South of France Blues: Nico Wayne Toussaint in Quillan

Quillan is an unremarkable town straddling the banks of the river Aude, in the foothills of the French Pyrenees.

Pronounced key-an or, in the local dialect key-ang it was home to a large Formica factory. Now bare wasteland is all that can be seen of the former industrial glory and the little town struggles to find a place on the tourist trail.

Remarkably they hold some extravagant summer festivals ranging from an annual bikers club meeting to an International Folklore Festival, and it was at the annual, three night Quillan Jazz Festival, that I had the pleasure to see Nico Wayne Toussaint, and his quartet, in action.

In previous blogs I have tried to describe the low key, relaxed, atmosphere of events in France and this event, in Quillan, typifies the very pleasant way of life in the south.

A stage had been erected in a riverside car park. Normally this car park is hardly noticeable to those passing by. A couple of hundred collapsible metal chairs had been set out and that was it. No bar, no stalls, NO CHARGE! Yes, it was completely free.

Nico is a southern born boy so it was no surprise to me that this Pyrenean town adopted him as one of their own. By 9pm the concert area was packed and when all the seats were taken people sat on whatever they could find, and when these places were taken people were happy to just stand.

The band, comprising of Michel Foizon (guitar), Sam Tchang (guitar), Antoine Perrut (bass and sax), and Vincent Daune (drums) got started just after 9.30pm with an instrumental warm-up and introduction – and then Nico was on stage and the show really got going.

Nico with Michel Foizon

Most of all Nico is a great bluesman. Nico Wayne Toussaint is a unique French blues artist. A master of the Blues Harp he is one of the rare artists to have created a completely personal vocal and performance style. His current musical universe goes way beyond his earlier influences.

Seeing his explosive concert and his sheer talent it is easy to see how he has built a solid reputation in France and around the world (he tours regularly all over USA and Canada). His on stage charisma is exceptional and his music is largely inspired by America's deep south and peppered with African, and jazzy spices.

This guy is a real showman and he’s so amazing every time he plays live. He puts life into his music with his unique personality and with his amazing energy, but he has retained the soul of the music that has been pioneered by the masters of the Blues. Always singing in the language the song was penned he shows his deep respect for the legend.

Switching to swing for “When the Bobcat Play” he was soon back to blues for “Living on the Highway”.

Sam Tchang

Sam Tchang gave Nico a break with his very impressive version of “Turpentine”. A master of guitar improvisation Sam also has a remarkable voice and showed it with his gutsy rendition.

Nico changed the mood by switching to songs, in French, that he has written for his album Blues Entre les Dents (Blues Between the Teeth). A superb album that I bought on the spot.

Of course Nico and his band had to reply to the cries for more and I was truly amazed at how anyone can sing, play harmonica, smile and laugh most of the time, and jump and dance, both on the stage and within the audience. Remarkable stamina and remarkably good blues music.

Nico Wayne Toussaint is constantly touring, from Europe to the USA, and is really respected for his impressive live performances. He’s considered by a lot of European blues magazines as one of Europe’s best blues singer and harmonica player. I can unreservedly recommend you buy any of his seven albums from Dixiefrog Records that include originals and covers but always recorded with his very personal touch and his energetic temper.

Nico is due to return to the USA early October but there is still time to see him at:

25 September Tournon-d’Agenais, Lot-et-Garonne (47)

02 October Festival Blues en Vo, Deuil la Barre,

Île-de-France (95)