MUSIC

Continental Club presents Papa Grows Funk.

"…one of THE best, one of THE hottest and most important funky bands in New Orleans, we couldn't be prouder." -Quint Davis, producer of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

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.

Photo by Rick Oliver.