Allen Toussaint celebrates his 72nd birthday today. He received an early birthday gift when he was awarded the Grand Prix, Best Disc of the Year, from France's Académie du Jazz, for his 2009 Nonesuch debut, The Bright Mississippi. The awards ceremony took place this past Tuesday, January 12, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris with members of the Ministry of Culture and a diverse array of artists, including bassist Ron Carter, soprano Natalie Dessay, and rapper MC Solaar, in attendance. A representative of Warner Music France accepted on Allen's behalf.

The Académie du Jazz is the oldest and most independent awards organization in France. It was created in 1954, and its electoral college consists of 50 carefully selected jazz critics, observers, writers, and photographers. For more information on the organization and the award, visit academiedujazz.com.

In another accolade from France, TSF Jazz recently named The Bright Mississippi the Best Jazz Album of 2009. And in Australia, Rhythms magazine's 2009 Readers Poll named it the International Jazz Album of the Year. It came in at No. 2 on Dusted magazine managing editor Otis Hart's list of the year's best. "It’s the most enjoyable album of the year," says Hart.