New Orleans has its fair share of musical ambassadors; but few are more rooted in the cracked sidewalks and crackling speakers of the Crescent City than John “Papa” Gros. Born and raised in the city, Papa Gros melds funk, rock, jazz, and blues to deliver a sound that is both innovative and unmistakably New Orleans. An award-winning and treasured pianist, organist, singer/songwriter, and band leader; Papa helms Papa Grows Funk, Papa Plays the Nite Tripper, and performs as a solo artist.  "...one of THE best, one of THE hottest and most important funky bands in New Orleans, we couldn't be prouder." -Quint Davis, producer of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival  From 2000-2013, John “Papa” Gros led the iconic power funk quintet, Papa Grows Funk. The  embodiment of the laissez faire spirit of the Big Easy, the group’s no rehearsal/ no playlist ethos and what became a twelve-year-long Monday night residency at the Maple Leaf Bar quickly made the band the stuff of legend.  Fun, funky, unpredictable, and energetic, the group made Mardi Gras magic, wowed every year at Jazz Fest, and carried an international following as far afoot as Brazil and Japan. Their penchant for improvisation was a beloved hallmark of the group and fostered a near-rabid response from their loyal fans.  “The pinnacle moments were every time the five of us got onstage, the way that we connected musically,” Papa Gros says. “We could raise the roof on any given night on any stage anywhere in the world.”  The ensemble—Papa Gros on Hammond B3 and vocals, June Yamagishi on guitar, Jason Mingledorff on saxophone, Marc Pero on bass and “Jellybean” Alexander on drums—released six albums before disbanding following a sold-out farewell show at the famed Tipitina’s.  They were also the subject of the acclaimed 2017 documentary, Do U Want It, chronicling the spectacular ascent of the band. Despite its “indefinite hiatus” status, the quintet remains in constant demand for reunion shows. “Everywhere I play, people want to know when Papa Grows Funk will perform again,” says Gros.