Papa Grows Funk is a funk band from New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...

. The band was started by frontman John "Papa" Gros early 2000, developing from a series of Monday night jam sessions helmed by Gros at New Orleans’ Maple Leaf Bar

Maple Leaf Bar

The Maple Leaf Bar is a music performance venue in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is also a bar and hosts a variety of other events.The Maple Leaf is on Oak Street in the Carrollton neighborhood of Uptown New Orleans. Opened on Feb 24, 1974, it is one of the longest continuing operations of New...

. Gros would invite some friends down to play, and the impromptu jams became a common bond for a handful of musicians, including guitarist June Yamagishi

June Yamagishi

June Yamagishi is a Japanese guitarist based in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is the guitarist for bands Papa Grows Funk and the Wild Magnolias.-History:...

, sax player Jason Mingledorf, bassist Marc Pero and drummer Jeffery “Jellybean” Alexander, who now make up Papa Grows Funk.

They will be playing in front of a hometown crowd at The Voodoo Experience held at City Park in New Orleans over Halloween weekend 2009.

Discography

• Doin' It (2001)
• Shakin' (2003)
• Live at the Leaf (2006)
• Mr. Patterson's Hat (2007)