John "Papa" Gros

John "Papa" Gros is a New Orleans piano powerhouse and groove architect who's been keeping the city's funk legacy alive for over three decades. Best known as founder of the beloved jam band Papa Grows Funk (2000-2013), Gros has since carved out a solo career blending swampy R&B, jazz-inflected grooves, and soulful storytelling. His 2020 solo album *Central City* – which includes tracks like "River's on Fire" and "Days End" – serves as both a love letter to his hometown and a showcase for his warm, bluesy vocals and barrelhouse piano chops. A true collaborator at heart, Gros has shared stages with everyone from Trombone Shorty to The Meters, while maintaining his role as a keeper of New Orleans' musical flame through weekly residencies at local clubs. Whether leading his own band or paying homage to Allen Toussaint covers, his music always carries that unmistakable Crescent City strut.