About this episode

The episode reviews performances by Rod Stewart, Irma Thomas, and Rockin' Dopsie Jr. at the 2026 Jazz Fest.

Rod Stewart, Irma Thomas, Rockin' Dopsie Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters It was great. Like any day you spend at Jazz Fest of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. It was Sunday, April 26, 2026. Hot, humid and beautiful. I got to see the tail end of the New Orleans Nightcrawlers set. I really enjoyed hearing them play! Then I finally got to see Rockin' Dopsie Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters live and in person. Dopsie is a performer who channels James Brown with unimaginable energy. He brings a relentless drive to the washboard and managed to keep the crowd in a state of constant motion. Next, I had the privilege of seeing the "Soul Queen of New Orleans," Irma Thomas once again. There is a profound sincerity in her voice. There's no one quite like her. She shared a poignant moment with the audience, noting that while she may have never had a million-selling record, but she has millions of fans. We all cherish what she does. The day concluded with a headline performance by Rod Stewart. Seeing a legend of his stature in the context of the Fair Grounds was something I won't forget. He delivered a set that felt like both a grand finale and a celebration of showmanship in…

People in this episode

Host: Paul Leslie

Topics covered

• music
• live performance
• Jazz Fest
• New Orleans
• soul music
• Zydeco

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Zydeco Twisters

Places: New Orleans

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Paul Leslie Hour podcast page.