In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, New Orleans singer-keyboardist John “Papa” Gros played an outdoor show in Baton Rouge's Beauvoir Park.
Gros' reward for that performance included the promise of a post-pandemic indoor booking at the Manship Theatre.
“This is it,” Gros said of his appearance Thursday, April 11, at the Manship. “I’m looking forward to coming back to Baton Rouge with a whole new thing that represents everything I do.”
Gros performs with a funky full band featuring a three-piece horn section. His inclusion of horns follows the soulful examples set by classic New Orleans keyboard stars Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint and Huey “Piano” Smith.
“We can play the grooves and the tunes without the horns, but it’s more powerful with them,” Gros explained. “They elevate the sound and the show, and it’s part of our New Orleans rock ’n’ roll tradition.”
Gros also enjoys sharing the spotlight with talented musicians while he grooves in the rhythm section.
“It’s fun to just lay the groove down and let them shine,” he said. “The other thing is everything we do is based around my songs, but there are always one or two New Orleans classics somewhere in there. Everybody loves that, including me.”
A New Orleans native though Gros is, he spent much of his childhood in Baton Rouge. His pianist father earned a degree in special education from LSU and subsequently taught in the parish's public school system by day while playing gigs nights and weekends.
After Gros graduated from Catholic High School in 1984, he left Baton Rouge to study music at Loyola University. Quickly becoming a working musician in New Orleans, he’s lived there for the past 40 years. His dues-paying included 12 years on Bourbon Street, playing in a trio and as a soloist.
“I learned a thousand songs and developed my style and my focus,” he said of his formative years on Bourbon Street.
'We can play the grooves and the tunes without the horns, but it’s more powerful with them,' John 'Papa' Gros says.
In 1996, Gros began a seven-year run with George Porter Jr. and the Runnin’ Pardners.
“I tell everybody I got my bachelor’s degree from Loyola University and my doctorate from George Porter Jr.,” Gros said of the funk bass master. “He’s the greatest music teacher I’ve ever had. Anybody who has been in his band would say the same thing. And he’s not just the greatest bass player, he’s the greatest roadie. He can pack a truck or van better than anybody. I’ve seen him build a stage. It’s amazing all the things he can do to make music happen.”
In 2000, Gros formed Papa Grows Funk, the nationally touring band whose members included guitarist June Yamagishi, saxophonist Jason Mingledorff and the late drummer Russell Batiste. A pair of Papa Grows Funk fans, Josh Freund and Sam Radutzky, chronicled the group in the 2013 documentary “Do U Want It?”
After Papa Grows Funk’s breakup a decade ago, Gros concentrated on a solo career. His latest album is “Central City,” a love letter to New Orleans and its music. Other career highlights include playing organ in the house band for the all-star Dr. John 2014 tribute concert at the Saenger Theatre.
“That was such a week,” Gros said of the tribute. “It still gives me goosebumps thinking about it. I heard Bruce Springsteen trying to learn ‘Right Place Wrong Time’ in the dressing room an hour before showtime. We only had Mac (Rebennack, aka Dr. John) for the dress rehearsal and the show, but it was a great experience. I have memories and stories for a lifetime from it.”
Making the Dr. John tribute sweeter still, the late New Orleans singer, keyboardist and character is among Gros’ inspirations.
“Probably at the top of the list,” Gros said. “Mac was the complete musician. There was so much personality in everything he did. He had it all, but he never forgot who he was, where he came from or why he did what he did.”