John “Papa” Gros
New Orleans piano and organ man, once of Papa Grows Funk, carrying the city's funk, R&B and second-line rhythm through thirty years of clubs.
Festivals John “Papa” Gros is playing
About John “Papa” Gros
John “Papa” Gros, pronounced "Grow", is a pianist, organist and singer-songwriter born in New Orleans. He started on piano and French horn at eleven and earned a degree in French horn performance at Loyola University. Through the 1990s he worked as a sideman, playing in George Porter Jr.'s Runnin' Pardners and touring with Snooks Eaglin, Earl King, Irma Thomas, Anders Osborne and Better Than Ezra. His playing draws on Professor Longhair, Dr. John, Art Neville and Randy Newman.
In 2000 he formed Papa Grows Funk, which held a Monday night residency at the Maple Leaf Bar for twelve years. The band released six studio and live albums, among them Needle in the Groove, co-produced by Allen Toussaint. It broke up in 2013, and the documentary Do U Want It? tells its story. Gros then went back to sideman work alongside his own projects.
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John “Papa” Gros at a glance
What festivals is John “Papa” Gros playing in 2027?
John “Papa” Gros is booked at 1 festival: Whippersnap 2027.
Is John “Papa” Gros playing Whippersnap 2027?
Yes, John “Papa” Gros is on the Whippersnap 2027 lineup, February 17–20, 2027 at Brooksville, FL.
Where is John “Papa” Gros from?
John “Papa” Gros is from New Orleans, LA.
What kind of music does John “Papa” Gros play?
John “Papa” Gros is tagged funk, r&b and jazz.
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Holey Miss MoleyNeal FrancisSuper Sonic ShortiesPolyrhythmics + Adryon de LeónFunk YouAjevaVoodoo VisionaryCopeWho Is CopiousSoozaTasty VibrationsKanika Moore
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Better Than EzraAnders OsborneDOWNThe RevivalistsThomas DollbaumD. SabluLil WayneQuintron & Miss PussycatRebirth Brass Band$UICIDEBOY$Trombone Shorty & Orleans AvenueVisqueen
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