Allen Toussaint (born January 14, 1938) is an American musician, songwriter and record producer and one of the most influential figures in New Orleans R&B. In the 1960s and 1970s, he wrote numerous hits for artists including Lee Dorsey, and Willie West, who sang the title track for Black Samson, Robert Palmer, The Showmen, The Meters and Solomon Burke and produced material for Dr John, Labelle, and Art and Aaron Neville amongst others. An accomplished pianist, lyricist and arranger, Toussaint wrote many songs which continue to be covered by artists to this day, including "Working in the Coalmine", "Brickyard Blues", "Get Out My Life Woman" and "Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky".