I am excited to announce that I have begun recording the new John Papa Gros record at Dockside Studios in Maurice, LA. It will be released in the 1st quarter of 2016.
For the last year I have been writing songs with my longtime friend, Mark Carson, have dug up some hidden gems written years ago and will re-record a couple of unrecognized favorites. I have recruited a stellar team of close friends, mentors and award winning peers. The musicians are Brian Stoltz (The Neville Brothers, Bob Dylan, Aaron Neville) on guitar, Eric Vogel (Big Sam’s Funky Nation) on bass, Russ Broussard (The Continental Drifters, Susan Cowsill, The Cowsills) on drums and Mike Dillon (Ani DiFranco, Primus) on percussion. The production team is an all-star, Grammy award winning cast of Producer, Tracey Freeman (Harry Connick Jr., ReBirth Brass Band), Recording Engineer, David Farrell (Irma Thomas, Buckwheat Zydeco, Dr. John) and Mixing Engineer, Trina Shoemaker (Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Joe Cocker, Indigo Girls).
Together, we will sculpt, shape and present the sounds and influences that make me the musician I am today. I’ll be singing, playing piano, Hammond B3, assorted keys and even some French horn, my collegiate instrument. My influences, my musical DNA, inspired the process so expect to hear hints of Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Leon Russell, Peter Gabriel, Steve Winwood, Randy Newman, Tom Waits and others. I’ve embraced my past and am looking forward to the next phase in my career. I’m very excited about this project and can’t wait to share it with the world.