The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival’s Gospel Tent was full as Irma Thomas took the stage for her 50th Anniversary performance on Saturday, April 27. The New Orleans legend was greeted by enthusiastic cheers from her audience, as she called out to familiar faces and longtime fans. 

This year’s Jazz Fest features hundreds of artists from across the world, but few with as long a history at the festival as Thomas, who has performed at the festival with musicians such as Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight. Thomas first graced its stages in 1974 when she was a guest musician for pianist and bandleader Tommy Ridgley, who is widely credited with discovering Thomas in the 1950’s.  

“I was blessed with someone else giving me an opportunity,” Thomas said, as she paid it forward by inviting her back up singers to take center stage. 

Thomas was supported by her children who joined the crowd to cheer her on and who have been attending the festival with her since the late ‘70s, her daughter, Andrea Gibbs, told Verite News. “We blend in with the rest of the fans and love her,” said Gibbs, whose son Isaiah escorted his grandmother onto the stage to an enthusiastic welcome.

PHOTOS: The “Soul Queen of New Orleans” performs at Jazz Fest

Thomas filled the room with praise and joy with songs like “Oh Happy Day,” as the crowd stood to clap along. 

“When you hear all these beautiful voices singing with you, you can’t help but feel the spirit,” Thomas called back to them. 

The “Soul Queen of New Orleans” will continue her reign at the Jazz Festival main stage on Sunday April 5.

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PHOTOS: Irma Thomas’ 50th Anniversary at Jazz Fest

by Lue Palmer, Verite News
April 29, 2024

<h1>PHOTOS: Irma Thomas’ 50th Anniversary at Jazz Fest</h1> <p class="byline">by Lue Palmer, Verite News <br />April 29, 2024</p> <p><a href="https://www.nojazzfest.com/">The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival</a>’s Gospel Tent was full as Irma Thomas took the stage for her 50th Anniversary performance on Saturday, April 27. The New Orleans legend was greeted by enthusiastic cheers from her audience, as she called out to familiar faces and longtime fans. </p> <p>This year’s Jazz Fest features hundreds of artists from across the world, but few with as long a history at the festival as Thomas, who has performed at the festival with musicians such as Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight. <a href="https://veritenews.org/2024/04/25/irma-thomas-new-orleans-jazz-fest/">Thomas first graced its stages in 1974</a> when she was a guest musician for pianist and bandleader Tommy Ridgley, who is widely credited with discovering Thomas in the 1950’s.  </p> <p>“I was blessed with someone else giving me an opportunity,” Thomas said, as she paid it forward by inviting her back up singers to take center stage.&nbsp;</p> <p>Thomas was supported by her children who joined the crowd to cheer her on and who have been attending the festival with her since the late ‘70s, her daughter, Andrea Gibbs, told Verite News. “We blend in with the rest of the fans and love her,” said Gibbs, whose son Isaiah escorted his grandmother onto the stage to an enthusiastic welcome.</p> <h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-photos-the-soul-queen-of-new-orleans-performs-at-jazz-fest">PHOTOS: The "Soul Queen of New Orleans" performs at Jazz Fest</h4> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter" data-effect="slide"> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container"> <ul class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper"> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-13806" data-id="13806" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PHOTO-2-Backstage-before-the-show-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Irma Thomas takes a selfie with a friend, before taking the stage for her 50th year at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 27, 2024</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-13807" data-id="13807" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PHOTO-3-Coming-on-stage-w-Grandson-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Irma Thomas takes the stage at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival accompanied by her grandson Isaiah Gibbs, on April 27, 2024</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-13812" data-id="13812" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PHOTO-4-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">A handful of weeks after recording her next gospel album, Irma Thomas performs at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Gospel Tent on April 27, 2024</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-13808" data-id="13808" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PHOTO-5-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Irma Thomas soulfully performs for a group of enthusiastic attendees at the Jazz and Heritage Festival Gospel Tent on April 27, 2024</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-13816" data-id="13816" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PHOTO-6-Audience-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Revelers and fans clap for Soul Queen Irma Thomas at the Jazz and Heritage Festival Gospel Tent on April 27, 2024</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-13813" data-id="13813" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PHOTO-8-Audience-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Attendees applaud Irma Thomas at the Jazz and Heritage Festival Gospel Tent on April 27, 2024</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-13809" data-id="13809" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PHOTO-9-Irma-Soprano-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Irma Thomas listens to her one of her backup singers at the Jazz and Heritage Festival Gospel Tent on April 27, 2024</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-13803" data-id="13803" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PHOTO-11-A-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Irma Thomas looks out at her audience passionately as she sings under the Gospel Tent at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 27, 2024.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-13804" data-id="13804" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PHOTO-13-Irma-Emile-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Irma Thomas and husband Emile Jackson greet family and fans backstage after her 50th Anniversary performance at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 27, 2024</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-13815" data-id="13815" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Photo-12-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Irma Thomas exits backstage after an energetic performance at her 50th Anniversary at the New Orleans Heritage and Jazz Festival on April 27, 2024</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-13811" data-id="13811" src="https://veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PHOTO-14_-Irma-Emile-1024x683.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Irma Thomas walks to her trailer with husband Emile Jackson after her 50th Anniversary Performance at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 27, 2024</figcaption></figure> </li> </ul> <p><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a aria-label="Pause Slideshow" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause" role="button"></a></p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white"></div> </div> </div> <p>Thomas filled the room with praise and joy with songs like “Oh Happy Day,” as the crowd stood to clap along. </p> <p>“When you hear all these beautiful voices singing with you, you can’t help but feel the spirit,” Thomas called back to them.&nbsp;</p> <p>The “Soul Queen of New Orleans” will continue her reign at the Jazz Festival main stage on Sunday April 5.</p> <p>This <a target="_blank" href="https://veritenews.org/2024/04/29/photos-irma-thomas-50th-anniversary-at-new-orleans-jazz-fest/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://veritenews.org">Verite News</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://i0.wp.com/veritenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/cropped-Verite-icon.png?fit=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;"><img id="republication-tracker-tool-source" src="https://veritenews.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=13818&amp;ga4=G-MBPTYVCMYR" style="width:1px;height:1px;"></p> Copy to Clipboard

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