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Papa Grows Funk

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.

What started as an all-star jam session nine years ago 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.

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 is the guardian of New Orleans funk. PGF continually stretches the bounds of New Orleans music, turning ears and shaking hips wherever they perform.

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