Locals take that primacy for granted: Mr. Joel was preceded by Allen Toussaint, the New Orleans piano man, singer-songwriter and hitmaker.

WSJ: Beneath a Pop Skin, Jazz's Heart Beats | New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival | By Larry Blumenfeld

Later on in the program, musicians Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint talk about their trans-generational and transatlantic collaboration, but first, the state secrets privilege.

NPR: Invoking the State Secrets Privilege

The hard kick and snare is patterned after Allen Toussaint's classic "Get Out Of My Life, Woman" breakbeat, sampled on dozens of hip-hop songs.

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