Mavis Staples, Allen Toussaint to play ZooTunes double feature

ZooTunes

The pairing of Mavis Staples and Allen Toussaint at the Woodland Park Zoo is a gift for new and old fans of two American musical treasures. Staples turns 70 soon, Allen is 72, and both recently put out recordings that lovers of the blues — New Orleans piano-style in Toussaint's case, Chicago gospel-inflected in Staples' — should savor.

Toussaint's splendid new release, "The Bright Mississippi" (Nonesuch Records), departs from the esteemed and dapper piano man's songbook (he penned "Yes We Can Can," "Working in the Coal Mine" and dozens of other odes), to delve into the repertoire of fellow New Orleans giants Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet, plus jazz greats like Duke Ellington and Thelonius Monk.

And recently Staples, who started out with her dad and siblings in the legendary Staple Singers, issued one of the best discs of her long career. "Hope at the Hideout" (Anti Records), a sizzling live set from a hip Chicago nightclub, showcases her growly, soulful renditions of vintage protest songs ("Eyes on the Prize"), spirituals ("Wade in the Water") and blues (the bone-chilling "Waiting for My Child").

Listening to these artists on disc is a treat. But seeing them perform live on the same bill? Priceless. Mavis Staples and Allen Toussaint play today at ZooTunes at the Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle; $19 (doors at 5 p.m., show starts at 6; information, 206-548-2500 or www.zoo.org).

Misha Berson, Seattle Times arts critic