New Orleans Soul is a musical style derived from soul music, which also has a large influence on Gospel (music). New Orleans soul has elements of pop and soul and is influenced by boogie-woogie style. The songs are commonly accompanied by a piano and a saxophone. This became known mainly in the postwar era in the Crescent City.

This genre stands out for its pop base (which can be seen in the structures of the genre) and rock rhythms that have become influenced by the "second line" hits, which are very popular in the city. Caribbean music and Latin music from the '60s earned great importance in the city and also inspired this genre of soul to develop more exotic rhythms, however mid-tempo rhythms exist as well. Musicians place greater emphasis on melody and tone than on the letter. The background vocals are commonly feminine, consisting of one or two women.^[1]

Origins

The first songs of this style of soul emerged from the hands of songwriter and producer Allen Toussaint in 1960. Soon, however, this musical style assumed great importance among other local and regional authorities. In the 1990s, New Orleans Soul attracted the attention of many singers from other genres of soul music. The success of this genre was originally developed in New Orleans, with little influence outside the city.

Despite this, some musicians from Memphis have named the genre as a major element in the development of their type of soul. It also influenced Northern Soul and British soul. Around 1965, when the Soul of New Orleans had only five years of operation, Toussaint, the mentioned operator of this kind of soul, produced a slower version of the genre, which caused much of the birth of Funk.^[1]

Notable artists

• Irma Thomas
• Dr. John
• Harry Connick, Jr.
• Dave Bartholomew and Fats Domino
• Walter "Wolfman" Washington
• Jessie Hill
• Mahalia Jackson