JOHN "PAPA" GROS

“One of THE best and most important funky bands in New Orleans. We couldn’t be prouder.” Quint Davis, producer of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. John 1 BW About Papa Grows FunkBooty shaking party music best sums up the inimitable Papa Grows Funk, one of the most successful funk bands to emanate from New Orleans. Rooted in improvisation, the group of all-star musicians led by Hammond B3 keyboardist and lead vocalist, John Gros, has built its enthusiastic vibe on a long-standing musical tradition that dates back to the hot jazz of the legends, Fats Domino and Louis Armstrong. Like Dr. John and the Neville Brothers, Papa Grows Funk keeps that New Orleans lineage alive while always funkifying towards the future. Papa Grows Funk has fused the individual talents of its members into one unique sound, but still retains the first spark they ignited in the beginning while jamming together at the Old Point Bar. “While we throw in New Orleans classics, now our songs and our groove are all our own,” says John Gros. “We still love playing together and that comes through in our music.” The band plays over 100 shows a year for its international and growing fan base. From the Highline Ballroom in New York City to the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, from the Nancy Jazz Festival in France to the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan, Papa Grows Funk has brought their “Mardi Gras in a bottle” music to iconic clubs from coast to coast and renowned festivals worldwide. With no play lists and no rehearsals every Papa Grows Funk performance is its own masterpiece of funk. On any given night, the band might change songs or grooves. But one thing is certain: whether it is jam band college kids or seersucker wearing professionals, five folks or 100,000, after John Gros announces “We’re Papa Grows Funk from the great city of New Orleans,” the crowd is going to go wild. Papa Grows Funk John Gros – Hammond B3 organ and lead vocals June Yamagishi- Guitar, backing vocals Marc Pero – Bass Jason Mingledorff – Saxophones, backing vocals Jeffery “Jellybean” Alexander – Drums, backing vocals Step into New Orleans' Maple Leaf Bar on a Monday night and through the smoky atmosphere emerges Papa Grows Funk. There are no playlists, no rehearsals; the only constant is the free and easy spirit of the Crescent City. Papa Grows Funk embodies the soul of New Orleans—fun, funky, unpredictable and energetic. From sultry summer nights, to Mardi Gras revelry, to the heart pounding Jazz Fest weekends, New Orleans follows PGF whether it is at their regular gig at the Maple Leaf Bar or Club Quattro in Tokyo, Japan. What started as an all-star jam session eight and a half year ago on a Monday night at the Old Point Bar on Algiers Point has blossomed into one of New Orleans' most successful funk bands. In 2001, the Monday night residency moved Uptown to the Maple Leaf Bar, where it has continued to this day. Without the help of a record label or distribution deal, the group has sold an impressive 30,000 combined copies of their four albums. Over the years, the band has accumulated a huge fan base through extensive touring averaging about 100 shows per year and producing fresh, original music. Papa Grows Funk's all-star lineup features New Orleans' finest musicians and funkiest characters, all of whom have deep roots in New Orleans music. Anchored around the slinky Hammond B3 grooves of band leader John Gros (George Porter, Jr. and Runnin' Pardners) is internationally renowned June Yamagishi (Wild Magnolias) on guitar, Marc Pero (Smilin’ Myron) on bass, Jason Mingledorff (Galactic) on saxophone and Jeffery “Jellybean” Alexander (Jon Cleary), who replaced Russell Batiste, Jr. in 2005, on drums. Influenced by Dr. John, the Meters and the Neville Brothers, Papa Grows Funk are the guardians of New Orleans funk. PGF continually stretches the bounds of New Orleans music, turning ears and shaking hips wherever they perform. As the Hammond B3 growls and Jellybean's cymbals ripple in the background, lead singer John Gros entices the crowd with the question, “can you feel the music?” Just as natural as breathing, the band transitions to another groove as Pero's knee-dropping beats hammer through Mingledorff's wailing saxophone. June's guitar riff signals another dynamic shift. What is in store for the crowd is an evening of New Orleans classics, original material, spontaneous jams and hip shaking, funky music that is Papa Grows Funk. Locally, Papa Grows Funk's memorable Maple Leaf shows are held in as high regard as the famous cuisine from Galatoire's. All the requisite ingredients for an ear-tickling musical gumbo are here: steaming Hammond, chinky guitar, wailing sax, and, of course, a rhythm section heavy enough to keep one anchored to the dance floor. Following the New Orleans music tradition, PGF keeps its music unbelievable tight and its beats syncopated but greases it up with loose, jazzy improvisation. In 2009 Papa Grows Funk will produce a fifth album and thus a new chapter for the band. The band will promote their fifth album and continue to bring the spirit of New Orleans funk with every performance. They have a loyal fan base and have earned respect from so many musicians. Russell Batiste, Jr. says it best about the band's future: “[Papa Grows Funk has] so much music waiting in the wings that people will have to hang around a long time to hear it. There's no limit to how far this group can go." ?