John ‘Papa’ Gros

John “Papa” Gros is a quintessential New Orleans pianist, organist, and singer-songwriter whose music reflects the resilience and rhythmic tradition of his hometown. Blending funk, R&B, jazz, blues, and Americana, his keyboard style follows in the heavy footsteps of Professor Longhair, Dr. John and Art Neville, while forging a completely modern sound. Though classically trained, Gros’s true education came from the city’s clubs, learning the language of groove and restraint directly from the musical elders who built the New Orleans sound.

In the 1990s, Gros cut his teeth as a first-call sideman for revered artists like George Porter Jr., Earl King, and Irma Thomas. He cemented his own legacy in 2000 by forming Papa Grows Funk, a band that became synonymous with modern New Orleans groove. Anchored by a twelve-year residency at the fabled Maple Leaf Bar, the group toured globally, released six albums, including one co-produced by Allen Toussaint, and was immortalised in the documentary film Do U Want It?.

Following the band’s run, Gros expanded his solo career and contributed to high-profile tributes, sharing stages with Bruce Springsteen, Mavis Staples, and John Fogerty. His journey has been marked by profound resilience; navigating the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Ida, he consistently channeled his experiences into deeply rooted solo albums like River’s On Fire (2016) and Central City (2020). He built his own Silent S Recording Studio, where he tracked his latest release, Giants (2026); a live, groove-driven tribute to the artists who shaped his musical DNA.

Toulouse Lautrec is proud to present a true torchbearer of New Orleans music. A masterful live performer, John “Papa” Gros bridges generations, honouring the city’s rich past by making it move loudly and joyfully in the present.