"My belief is a musician should be as proficient on their instrument as the music they want to create so the emotions can flow through the musician without the restrictions of the body and mind."

John "Papa" Gros: The Sound of NOLA

New Orleans has its fair share of musical ambassadors; but few are more rooted in the cracked sidewalks and popping 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. Papa launched his career as a solo performer in the early 1990s, quickly gaining attention from marquee artists such as George Porter Jr. and Snooks Eaglin, both of whom brought him on board as a supporting musician. As he sat behind the keys, backing up some of the city’s most iconic musicians, he soaked in a lifetime of experience and continued to develop his craft. He released his solo debut, Day’s End, in 2004. The next dozen years would be dedicated to leading and recording six albums with his band, Papa Grows Funk. He returned to solo work with 2016’s River’s On Fire and cemented his legacy as a part of the direct lineage of New Orleans music with 2020’s Central City. The complete self portrait of John “Papa” Gros has been revealed.               (John "Papa" Gros / Photo by Zack Smith)

In keeping with the energy and spirit the Big Easy is known for, Papa Gros is a consummate live performer. His infectious band shows have been the highlight of festivals and venues across the U.S. and Europe, showcasing versatile musicianship, relentless grooves, and eclectic song-craft of the highest order. Drawing on the full breadth and depth of his extensive catalog, Papa’s live performance marries style with substance, bringing that unique, can’t-put-your-finger-on-it magic of New Orleans and infusing the audience with a joyous energy few artists can match.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the American Roots Music influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

To me, American Roots Music is the combination of all indigenous, regional music across America: blues, jazz, country, rhythm & blues, etc… Each genre represents different people and cultures and each culture uses its music to celebrate and/or escape normal life. The more I travel and meet people from all over the world, the more I realize how similar people are. We are more the same than we are different.

How do you describe your sound and songbook? What characterize your music philosophy?

My sound and songbook is my version of the sound of New Orleans. It incorporates rhythm & blues, rock n roll, funk, jazz & blues. The songs I write and perform are a composite of all the sounds I’ve heard and absorbed throughout my lifetime. More specifically, my compositions are in the style of Dr. John, The Meters, Allen Toussaint, Fats Domino mixed with the popular music of my youth, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Peter Gabriel, Yes, and too many more to mention.

What's the balance in music between technique and soul/emotions? What touched you from the sound of the 66 B/W keys?

My belief is a musician should be as proficient on their instrument as the music they want to create so the emotions can flow through the musician without the restrictions of the body and mind.

I think the sound produced by pressing a key on the piano and having the hammer strike the string then the sound resonating through the wood into a room is one of the most beautiful sounds ever created. After hearing the sounds Beethoven, Professor Longhair, Randy Newman, Dr. John achieves pressing the same keys inspired me to find my own sound.

"Be true to yourself and your audience. Give yourself a reason to play and your audience a reason to listen. The rest should take care of itself." (John "Papa" Gros, New Orleans LA / Photo by Zack Smith)

Why do you think that the NOLA's music continues to generate such a devoted following?

New Orleans music is culturally alive and still represents a living and breathing city.  Although some of New Orleans’ most famous songs are 50-100 years old, they are still played everyday here, evolving each time they are played. Plus, new music is coming out of New Orleans every month that is representative of the music and people that came before it while defining the city in 2023. New Orleans is alive and our music tells the story.

What moment changed your music life the most?

Discovering the joy of music at a very early age. I can remember how happy I was the first time I heard “They All Asked for You”, “Personality”, “Iko Iko”, Johnny Horton’s “The Battle of New Orleans” and the Beatles “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer.” Those songs made me happy and I decided very early I wanted to make other people just as happy with music I would create.

What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

Highlights in my life are my two beautiful daughters and my lovely wife. They give me purpose and meaning everyday.

Probably the biggest achievement in my career is I still have a career. I feel like I still have potential and my best years are still to come. Highlights over the years have been conceiving and implementing Papa Grows Funk. I earned a music career with the sweat equity investment of time devoted to PGF.

I have met and performed with many of my musical heroes Dr. John, The Meters, Allen Toussaint, Little Feat, Snooks Eaglin, Steve Winwood, Jimmy McGriff to name a few. Probably the most important highlight is when a fan, especially one I haven’t met, tells me they love and listen to my music. It’s the biggest compliment and the single reason I still have a career.

"New Orleans music is culturally alive and still represents a living and breathing city.  Although some of New Orleans’ most famous songs are 50-100 years old, they are still played everyday here, evolving each time they are played. Plus, new music is coming out of New Orleans every month that is representative of the music and people that came before it while defining the city in 2023. New Orleans is alive and our music tells the story." (John "Papa" Gros, New Orleans LA / Photo by Zack Smith)

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

I miss organic live music. Coming up in New Orleans music, there was so much great music in the neighborhood bars and clubs. Being able to hear New Orleans greats any night of the week year-round was the best music education for a young musician.

Because of technology and immediate access to any style of music, old or new, music listeners are not as invested in a single piece of music as they once were. In the days of only listening to music on vinyl or cassette or cd, friends would share and talk about music more with each other. They would only listen to one record until they could buy another record or visit a friend’s house. Listener’s would spend hours and hours on my album. Today’s listener has a much shorter attention span, so they are not as attached to the music. I also believe because of this, the younger generation is not as interested in live music because music has been given to them so easily and freely, the value of it is not as important to them.

One of my biggest fears is the segregation and demise of the live audience. Music is meant to bring people together. Corporate greed by corporate music producers and venue owners separates audiences by selling tickets in tier pricing systems through VIP, general admission, seated, and comfort seats, etc. It goes against the fundamental purpose of music all for a larger profit.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Be true to yourself and your audience. Give yourself a reason to play and your audience a reason to listen. The rest should take care of itself.

John "Papa" Gros - Home

(John "Papa" Gros / Photo by Zack Smith Photography)

Upcoming Dates: Renowned New Orleans pianist John "Papa" Gros is embarking on a U.S. Tour, with a local performance at the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern, 15711 Waterloo Road, Ohio / Thursday, March 2. 

March 2 (Thur)      BEACHLAND BALLROOM                   Cleveland OH 

March 3 (Fri)         MOONDOGS PUB                               Pittsburgh PA 

March 4 (Sat)        THE CAVE@SPORTSMENS TAVERN      Buffalo NY 

March 6 (Mon)       CITY WINERY                                     Chicago IL 

March 7 (Tue)        THE BUR OAK                                    Madison WI 

March 8 (Wed)       DAKOTA JAZZ CLUB                           Minneapolis MN 

March 10 (Fri)        OFF BROADWAY                                St. Louis MO 

March 11 (Sat)       ROUTE 51 BREWERY                          Carbondale IL 

March 31 (Fri)        TIPITINA'S                                         New Orleans LA