IRMA THOMAS IN CONCERT:
As the legendary ìSoul Queen of New Orleans?, Irma Thomas has been serving up pure rhythm and blues fire for more than half a century. In concert she lives up to her larger-than-life reputation, delivering passionate performances that showcase her rich, powerful voice and radiant personality. Thomas is a prodigiously gifted singer, and she surrounds herself with only the finest talentóher backing band is a razor-sharp group of jazz and blues virtuosos who expertly strike a balance between respectful restraint and unbridled gusto as they kick out groovy basslines, scorching horns, and funky beats. Ticket buyers looking to witness a soul legend in her prime wonít want to miss the iconic Thomas and her incredible band any time they work their magic in concert.
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BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Louisiana-born Irma Thomas grew up singing in a Baptist church choir before landing a gig singing with New Orleans bandleader Tommy Ridgley. After scoring a deal with local label Ron Records, a 19 year-old Thomas released her 1960 debut single ì(You Can Have My Husband but) Donít Mess with My Man)?. The song was a hit, cracking the Top 40 on the R&B charts and paving the way for a string of successful mid-?60s singles including ìWish Someone Would Care? and ìTime Is on My Side?. Thomas relocated to California in the ?70s and released singles on various local labels, and in the early ?80s she returned to New Orleans and opened her club the Lionís Den (a NOLA institution until it was wiped out by Hurricane Katrina in 2005). She earned GRAMMY nominations in 1991 for the album Live! Simply the Best and in 1999 for the bluesy Sing It!, and in 2007 she took home the win for Best Contemporary Blues Album GRAMMY for her critically acclaimed LP After the Rain. Since then sheís been inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, wowed fans with several appearances at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and won two Blues Music Awards.