{ MORE }]]> It was 12 years ago today, April 11th, 2000, that Papa Grows Funk had their first jam session at the Old Point Bar. We have traveled the United State many times, having played Japan, France, Brazil, Germany, Czech-Republic but always returning home to New Orleans for the funky Monday nights, now at the Maple Leaf Bar.  Thanks to our wonderful family, friends and fans for supporting us through the years.  Couldn’t have done any of it without you. Yeah you right!!!

{ MORE }]]> New Orleans Funk Reaches New Heights
SierraSun.com
Concert review: Papa Grows Funk, Vinyl
By Nick Brown

Crystal Bay is still recovering from hurricane-force funk.

Hailing from New Orleans, Papa Grows Funk, alongside Bay Area band Vinyl, descended upon the Crown Room Saturday, March 10. The evening was full of improvisation with everything a funk lover could want and more.

Just like the name, Vinyl has a classic funky sound with touches of Latin soul added to the mix. This band was not afraid to let it all hang out, and each member made sure of it. Danny Cao, trumpet, and Aaron Saul, saxophone, fed off each other’s energy all night long giving the crowd a large dose of dueling horns and high pitched notes.

Bandleader Jonathan Korty, a Hammond organ player, kept the reins loose and let the band run wild as his fingers graced the keys and let out the screeching sound the Hammond organ is famous for. Before their time was over, Korty welcomed John “Papa” Gros, from Papa Grows Funk. The two sat side-by-side blasting keys getting the crowd primed for the main attraction.

Papa Grows Funk hit the stage running, and the audience kept on dancing. Known for their improvisation Papa Grows Funk entertained the crowd with everything they had, including a couple bonus songs off its soon-to-be-released fifth album, “Needle In The Groove,” dropping March 27.

Papa Grows Funk, the Maple Leaf’s Monday night staple on NOLA’s Oak Street appeared right at home among the pines. With influences like Fats Domino and Louis Armstrong, Papa Grows Funk is everything you would come to expect: funky and jazzy, making each song its own.

Guitarist hero June Yamagish looked as if he was having a musical epiphany; closing his eyes, his hands moving in a blur, leaving concert revelers marveling in his display.

Bassist Marc Pero, saxophonist Jason Mindledorff and drummer Jeffery “Jellybean” Alexander were no exception to the talent-packed night. The three of them had a trio battle with drums answering bass and notes screaming from the sax. At one point during the show, after his thirst had been quenched, Mindledorff picked up his empty Corona bottle and proceeded to beat his newfound instrument with a drumstick. The night was all about improvisation, and Gros was having fun, donning an ear-to-ear grin as he led the funky quintet through a meandering night of funk.

For the encore, West Coast met Cajun South as Vinyl and Papa Grows Funk morphed into one large super group.

Korty and Gros once again doubled up on the keyboards, leaving the rest of the musicians to fall inline. The crowd ate it up. Gros raised two fingers in the air, symbolizing peace and letting the audience know it was soon to be over.

Everyone squeezed in their last dance moves and, as quickly as it had started, it was over, leaving the Hammond organ resonating through concert revelers.

{ MORE }]]> Papa Grows Funk will perform with The Original Meters (Art Neville, Leo Nocentelli, George Porter Jr., & Zigaboo Modeliste) and the ReBirth Brass Band Saturday, May 5th at the Howlin’ Wolf during JazzFest. This will be the Meters first club show in New Orleans in 30 years. Tickets go on sale at 10am this Friday, February 3rd at theHowlinWolf.com

This will be the second event pairing Papa Grows Funk with the Original Meters, as PGF hosted THE after-party jam at the Mercury Lounge following the Meters Reunion November 11th, 2000 in San Francisco, CA. That historic night launched Papa Grows Funk on the jam scene with legendary jams featuring guests Art Neville, Ivan Neville and Russell Batiste Jr.

{ MORE }]]> It’s always interesting to hear what artists have to say when recalling past concert experiences and in particular, which ones stick out in their mind as “memorable”. After an evening up on-stage, musicians take home an entirelydifferent recollection of their live music experience from the faces in the crowd.By virtue of busy touring schedules (for an example, look up the tour dates for any of the hard-working artists featured below), some shows can just be forgettable and difficult to recall in retrospect. For whatever reason, in music, as is the case in just about any other line of work, some days don’t glue themselves to the long term memory bank like the others. However, on any given night, certain indescribable circumstances can converge, lightning-and-a-bottle can be captured, magic can happen, and an unforgettable live music experience is forged deep into the hippocampus for both the fans and artists themselves. These are the concerts, life events, and peak professional moments we hoped to capture in this feature by asking a few standard questions about the year in music to some of our favorite artists. Continue on below for reflections on their year with John “Papa” Gros (Papa Grows Funk),Brad Houser (Dead Kenny G’s), Neal Evans (Soulive), Jeff Harshbarger(Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey), Mike Dillon (Garage A Trois, Dead Kenny G’s, Illuminasti Trio, Hairy Apes BMX), Ted Joyner (Generationals), Brian Stoltz(funky METERS) and DJ Soul Sister.

JOHN “PAPA” GROS || PAPA GROWS FUNK

John “Papa” Gros @ Hogs for the Cause 2011 – Photo by Jeffrey Dupuis

3 Most Memorable Shows you played and/or witnessed in 2011?

My favorite set to see was Jeff Beck at Jazz Fest. Not only is it amazing what he can do on the guitar, but his musicianship and ability to transcend six strings into an emotional, lyrical voice blows me away, a true master.

April 10th Jammin’ for Japan Benefit at the Rock ‘n Bowl. I was privileged to be an organizer in this event. It was an amazing experience the way all the different people in our community (musicians, restauranteurs, bar owners, graphic designer, press, radio, tv, artists, music fans, etc) came together to help with little to no notice. Papa Grows Funk performed along with five prominent NOLA artists, over 900 fans attended and $52,000 was raised. One of the proudest moments of my professional life.

This was not a show, but the three days Papa Grows Funk spent working in the recording studio with Allen Toussaint will stay with me the rest of my life. It’s overwhelming when you spend your life working at a craft then have one of your heroes validate the lifetime of preparation. Thank you Allen.

What will you remember most about 2011

More was accomplished in 2011 than any other year I can remember, personally and professionally. I had some very long term goals achieved, not without great sacrifice and dedication. It is a rewarding feeling to cross major goals off the list with recording PGF’s Needle in the Groove being the biggest accomplishment.

Favorite NOLA festival set and/or moment?

We look forward to our JazzFest set every year. It was especially fulfilling being able to play new songs from Needle in the Groove and watching the crowd’s reaction.

What’s on tap for you guys in 2012?

Work, work, and more work. We have to tour Needle in the Groove and see how far it can take us. We need to start planning our next recording and we need to count our blessings that we have received after 12 years of jamming together.

Favorite festival of the year?

Besides Jazz Fest, we love The Oak Street Po-Boy Festival. You won’t find another festival like this anywhere in the world. It is unique to New Orleans and to Uptown. We have closed it out every year and after five years it feels like a tradition has started. This year, our dear friend and mentor, Walter Washington, jumped up and sat in with us. People like Walter make this such a special place to live in.

Most memorable festival set of 2011?

There are bunch that come to mind, but the reason they do is because of the reaction the audience gives us is nearly the same at all of them. The people tend to sit in their chairs waiting for their favorite band to come onstage but they have to listen to us first. They are patient, they start out talking, barely paying attention to us, but after two or three songs they start paying atention, then somewhere in the middle, they can’t help it anymore, have to move closer to the stage and they start moving around and begin to dance. By the end of the set they are screaming, hollering and yelling for more. Our connection with our fans is what allows us to do what we do. We are nothing without them.

Brad Houser || The Dead Kenny Gs

Brad Houser of Dead Kenny G’s

3 Most Memorable Shows you played and/or witnessed in 2011 (anywhere)?

Hairy Apes BMX at Dragons Den, w/ Simon Lott and Brian Coogan (during Jazz Fest), Illuminasti Trio w/ Coogan & Houser sitting in at the Voodoo Experience. Suzanna Choffel at Austin City Limits (great set, sweltering heat, drenched in sweat).

Album from this year you’ll probably still be listening to in 2021.

The Dead Kenny Gs – Operation Long Leash

What will you remember most about 2011?

The epic Texas heat and drought.

What’s on tap for you in 2012?

In 2012 I look forward to more Dead Kenny G shows, and evolving as a musician. I also look forward to the end of the world.

NEAL EVANS || SOULIVE

Neal Evans of Soulive

3 Most Memorable Shows you played and/or witnessed in 2011 (anywhere)?

Bowlive, the West Coast Lettuce run, Royal Family Ball at the SF Fillmore, and the Groove Connection shows in Japan.

An album from this year you’ll probably still be listening to in 2021.

Album from this year that I’ll be listening to next year in reverse as well isCaveman’s debut album CoCo Beware.

What will you remember most about 2011?

Seeing the Royal Family Affair come to fruition will definitely be one the most memorable events of the year.

Favorite NOLA show of the year?

Best NOLA show was when the Royal Family took over at the CAC during Jazzfest.

What’s on tap for you in 2012?

2012 I plan on producing, recording, and getting out as much music to listeners as I’m physically able to do.

Jeff Harshbarger || Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey

Jeff Harshbarger of Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey

3 Most Memorable Shows you played and/or witnessed in 2011 (anywhere)?

Wayne Shorter Quartet at SF Jazzfest
Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer and Zakir Hussein at Yardley Hall
Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey at The Jazz Standard

An album from this year you’ll probably still be listening to in 2021.

Miles Davis Quintet – Live in Europe

What will you remember most about 2011?

Recording and touring JFJO’s Race Riot Suite

Favorite NOLA show?

Playing with Nikki Glaspie, Will Bernard and Marco Benevento at Saucefest.

What’s On Tap For You in 2012?

World premiere of my score for the play The Candidate
World premiere of the new Owen/Cox Dance Group piece
Release of the People’s Liberation Big Band DVD of Battleship Potemkin
JFJO European tour

Favorite show you played during Jazz Fest this year?

Helen Gillet CD release party at The Zeitgeist

MIKE DILLON || GARAGE A TROIS, DEAD KENNY G’S, ILLUMINASTI TRIO, HAIRY APES BMX

Mike Dillon with Garage A Trois @ Megalomaniac’s Ball 2011 || Photo by Jimmy Grotting

3 Most Memorable Shows you played and/or witnessed in 2011 (anywhere)?

Witnessed…

1. Flaming Lips and Primus. Red Rocks.
2. Aloke Dutta – The Blue Nile
3. Fishbone @ Voodoo Experience

Played…

1. Dead Kenny Gs at The Mix in Seattle. A year of touring pays off with a well executed performance.

An album from this year you’ll probably still be listening to in 2021.

tUnE-yArDs – Bizness

Favorite NOLA show?

1. Illuminasti Trio at Voodoo Experience
2. James Singleton Quartet at Snug Harbor. Playing creative music with my hero.

What’s On Tap For You in 2012?

New LP from The Dead Kenny Gs

Favorite show you played during Jazz Fest this year?

1. Garage a Trois at The Howlin’ Wolf @ Megalomaniac’s Ball (5/4/11). Total blast of a Jazz Fest night.
2. Hairy Apes BMX – The Dragons Den late night. Once again we destroy all the posers.

TED JOYNER || GENERATIONALS

Generationals || LMB NOLA Artist of the Month (April 2011)

3 Most Memorable Shows you played and/or witnessed in 2011 (anywhere)?

We played a show in Spain on this hill overlooking these vineyards as the sun was going down. Then like a week later we played this show in a barn in Iowa literally in a corn field as the sun went down. This last show we did at One Eyed Jacks was fun.

An album from this year you’ll probably still be listening to in 2021.

No idea. I feel like I might have fallen behind a little on new music this year. I really like that Craft Spells record. Also, definitely Gardens and Villa.

What will you remember most about 2011?

Spain!

Favorite NOLA show?

Getting to play Jazz fest for the first time was pretty cool for us.

What’s On Tap For You in 2012?

We will start recording a bunch of new stuff in January 2012.

Favorite festival you played in 2011?

Hopscotch in Raleigh was definitely a fun one. The Fun Fun Fun Night show in Austin we played with Mates of State was a fun show too. And of course Jazz Fest.

DJ SOUL SISTER || WWOZ “Soul Power” DJ

The Queen of the Rare Groove – DJ Soul Sister

3 Most Memorable Shows you DJ’d and/or witnessed in 2011?

“That’s a hard question, but if I had to pick my 3 most memorable shows of 2011, I’d list opening for Bootsy Collins at Tipitina’s, opening for Ellis Marsalis at the Contemporary Arts Center, and a combination of just about any random Saturday night for my “HUSTLE!” party at Mimi’s in the Marigny, which will celebrate 8 years next year. A combination of good feelings, good people, unforgettable moments, spot-on mixing, and creative song selections, which I never plan out, make these the best. One thing folks might find interesting is that I sprained my foot the night before the Bootsy show. I was in a special kind of intense pain that night. LOL! But no one would have ever noticed because I was flying high on happy, opening up for my Funk hero and wanting to give it all I could. And that was a helluva show. Special mention goes to concert co-presentations of Dam-Funk & Master Blazter and of The Foreign Exchange that I was involved in, as well as the roller skating party I hosted, featuring DJ Dave Soul with proceeds benefiting Hagar’s House for women and children of New Orleans.”

What will you remember most about 2011?

“I’ll most remember being told that I’m here to remind people to have fun. And being compared to DJ legend Ron Hardy. And meeting Erykah Badu.”

Most memorable festival show you saw this year?

“The Original Meters at Voodoo Music Experience. I knew it before, but now 300% convinced that George Porter Jr. is a divine life force of The Funk.”

What’s On Tap For You in 2012?

“More right on party situations and sound scenes, more expanding musical minds via WWOZ, more ‘soulful takeover’ events like concert co-presentations, film screenings, and other fun events that I believe in where I’m not necessarily DJing; and some other things in the works that haven’t materialized yet, but will.

Favorite Local Festival of 2011?

“The New Orleans J*** and Heritage Festival, though I won’t use the “J” word anymore. Curious why? Read these two blogs: http://nicholaspayton.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/1319/ and http://marcusstrickland.wordpress.com/category/b-a-m-faq/

What’s new at WWOZ in 2012?

“For me at WWOZ, in addition to continuing my “Soul Power” show on Saturday nights, which is going on somewhere around 18 years now, I’ve been filling in on lots of “j***” shows, and expanding my musical offerings to listeners, as well as getting them to hear soulful sounds in a different way. It’s all about Black American Music – always soulful.

A special thanks from LMB NOLA to each participating artist’s publicity and management teams for helping to facilitate the interviews captured in this feature.

BRIAN STOLTZ || I-12 ALL-STARS / funky METERS

Brian Stoltz with George Porter Jr. @ Tipitina’s Uptown – 1/14/11 || Photo by Jimmy Grotting

3 Most Memorable Shows you played in 2011?

1) Brian Stoltz & The I-12 AllStars, French Quarter Fest, April 10, 2011 Abita Stage

2) Benevento, Porter, Stoltz & Deitch (<– DOWNLOAD LINK), The Parish, Late Night May 6, 2011

3) Solo set at the 1st Annual Maui Jazz & Blues Fest, Sept. 24, 2011

An album from this year you’ll probably still be listening to in 2021?

Byrdawg – Raining On The Sunshine

What will you remember most about 2011?

You really don’t want to know, but I will talk about it when it’s over.

Favorite NOLA show of the year?

Benevento, Porter, Stoltz & Deitch, The Parish, Late Night May 6, 2011

What’s on tap for you in 2012?

Starting January 2nd working on tracks for an upcoming Johnny Indovinaalbum, a couple of records I am being considered to produce, a few funky Meters shows and hopefully more I-12 AllStars dates.

{ MORE }]]> OffBeat Magazine honored Papa Grows Funk with three nominations in their 2012 Best of the Beat Awards. PGF was nominated for Best R&B/Funk Artist, Best R&B/Funk Album and John Gros was nominated for Best Piano/Keyboardist. (He won this award in 2011.)

Now it is up to the general public to vote the winners. All you need to do is click here, register to vote, scroll to our nominated categories and vote. You can only vote once, so pass it along to your friends and family, too. Thanks for your support.