“John “Papa” Gros is a bedrock New Orleans artist, a keyboardist, singer and songwriter who draws on funk, rhythm & blues and Americana songcraft; he also knows his way around the Mardi Gras music repertoire about as well as anyone.” – Keith Spera The New Orleans Advocate
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The Only Questions
I evaluate myself by asking: - Do I like what I am writing and playing? - Does it represent me? - Does it represent my family. - Does it represent New Orleans? Those are the only questions. It's really that simple.
read moreMore Than A Job
Music is not a job, it's a lifestyle.
read moreAretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin changed the world with her voice. She gives me chills every time. I am just as inspired by her piano playing. It’s understated, it supports the melody and it is always grooving. Because she was blessed, we were blessed. Rest in the Heavens, my Queen....
read moreJust Be Yourself
After college, I was very much into the New Orleans funk thing. But all I was playing was wedding & tuxedo high-society gigs, where you played a little of this and a little of that - some jazz, some dance music, and then you went home. I was doing well and making some...
read moreVocal Performance
In the old days it was common for my voice to go out. I couldn't sing more than two days in a row on the road, and often times my voice would go out by the end of the first show. I couldn't even talk. I wasn’t singing. I was yelling and screaming trying to be heard...
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