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 the classic sense. Rod and his band moved seamlessly from hit to hit. And you could tell he had a genuine appreciation for the festival atmosphere and the city.

I heard a lot of music! From the sounds of Mento and Zydeco to the world-renowned icons on the main stage, the 2026 festival was like all the other days of Jazz Fest I've witnessed. It was a day of phenomenal performances that personified the New Orleans spirit.

The Paul Leslie Hour is a talk show dedicated to “Helping People Tell Their Stories.” Some of the most iconic people of all time drop in to chat. Frequent topics include Arts, Entertainment and Culture.