New Orleans piano legend Allen Toussaint will be one of the star attractions of the 2011 Brecon Jazz Festival, which is part of the Hay Festival season, which is sponsored by the Telegraph.

Toussaint, who is 73, is also a songwriter and record producer and one of the most influential figures in New Orleans music. Among the people he has peformed and worked with are Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, Mac 'Dr. John' Rebannac, Aaron and Art Neville, Joe Cocker, The Band, Little Feat, The Rolling Stones and Lee Dorsey.

Toussaint has also featured in the new HBO hit tv series Treme. His only two appearances in England are in London and at Brecon. In 2006 he was awarded an American Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award.

Femi Kuti and the Positive Force, Monty Alexander and Courtney Pine are also confirmed for Britain's premier jazz festival, which runs on 12, 13 and 14th August in Brecon.

Other acts appearing will include Maceo Parker with the BBC2 Big Band, The Robert Glasper Experiment, Alice Russell and Sarah Mitra and Christian Prommer.