Papa Grows Funk

Rarely is a band as funky as New Orleans, but Papa Grows Funk has taken both the nation and the genre by storm since growing out of an informal Monday night gig at New Orleans’ legendary Maple Leaf bar.

Headed by Hammond B3 player extraordinaire John “Papa” Gros (George Porter, Jr.) and supported by June Yamagishi (Wild Magnolias) on guitar, Jason Mingledorff (Galactic) on saxophone, Marc Pero on bass, and Jeffery “Jellybean” Alexander (Jon Cleary) on drums, Papa Grows Funk’s musical lineage is rooted deeply in New Orleans.

PGF’s style is pure southern funk, in the tradition of Dr. John and the Neville Brothers. The band is well versed in improvisation as well as the classic syncopated funk grooves.

Their propensity towards intimate clubs made it difficult for them to make a living in ravaged New Orleans, but the band is happy to be back on the road.