John Papa Gros & Funky Dawgz Brass Band

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Hartford

DETAILS

Fri, June 09, 2023
Hartford, CT
Doors: 7 PM
Show: 8 PM

Ticket INFO

Member Presale: 4/19/23 12 PM
Public Onsale: 4/21/23 12 PM

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GENRE

Funk / R&B / Soul

John Papa Gros

Connect with this artist:

www.johnpapagros.com

Artist Bio

“Sharing New Orleans with the world is my calling,” says pianist and organist John “Papa” Gros (pronounced grow). “That’s what I have been doing and that’s what I’ll do the rest of my life.”

For over three decades, Gros has brought his city’s celebratory culture to listeners around the globe. Gros mixes all the sounds of New Orleans – funk, trad jazz, brass band, blues – and makes it his own signature gumbo. His new solo album Central City, shows Gros capturing New Orleans’ distinct feel-good charm with help from some of its’ most renowned players.

Gros began playing gigs when he was just fifteen years old but didn’t truly kick off his career until after graduating from Loyola in 1989 with a degree in French Horn performance. During the seminal years that followed, the young man cut his teeth as a solo performer on Bourbon Street while also developing a reputation as a formidable sideman. He backed up some of the biggest names in the Crescent City,: such as Meters bassist George Porter Jr. and guitarist Snooks Eaglin. Studying under mentors decades his senior, Gros absorbed a lifetime of lessons in only a few years and quickly became part of the direct lineage of New Orleans music.

Between 2000 and 2013, Gros began his transition into the spotlight by leading Papa Grows Funk, a highly revered group that mixed hard-hitting funk grooves with often unpredictable jazz spontaneity. The band released six critically-acclaimed studio albums, including Needle in the Groove, which was co-produced by New Orleans legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Allen Toussaint. The group’s weekly gigs at the world-famous Maple Leaf became a staple for both locals and tourists alike, eventually leading to Gros touring in far off countries like Japan and Brazil.

Now, Gros is preparing to release Central City, his third solo album. The album is a collection of classic New Orleans songs, both new and old, filtered through his decades of dedication to his craft. The album features Gros’ feel good originals alongside his takes on beloved songs by Allen Toussaint, Lloyd Price, and John Prine. Joining Gros on the album are a who’s who in the keepers of the New Orleans tradition, including singer Ivan Neville (Dumpstaphunk), drummer Herlin Riley (Wynton Marsalis), banjoist Don Vappie, guitarist Brian Stoltz (Neville Brothers), trumpeter Mark Braud (Harry Connick Jr.), trombonist Mark Mullins (Bonerama), clarinetist Tim Laughlin, and his former boss George Porter Jr. (Meters). Together, they perfectly exploit the similarities between New Orleans jazz and early rock ‘n’ roll on songs such as “Yeah Yeah Yeah” and “Personality.”

Funky Dawgz Brass Band

Connect with this artist:

www.funkydawgzbrassband.com

Funky Dawgz are one of the premier touring acts on the live music scene today. It is impossible not to enjoy yourself during a show as they play a contagious upbeat mix of original music, hip hop, funk, and today’s top hits with a brass twist.

Emerging from Connecticut, they have toured internationally and have been featured in all corners of the live music scene. From playing sold out shows at Madison Square Garden as the horn section for Dispatch, to Okeechobee, to closing out The Peach Music Festival, their performances flow seamlessly from EDM festivals to jam band festivals. They were also recently featured multiple times on national televised programming on ESPN (house band for March Madness Tournament Challenge, opening segment of First Take) as well as on the Hulu and FX hit series "Fargo" starring Chris Rock.

The Funky Dawgz are dropping jaws. These high energy horns have been featured with Dispatch, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Galactic, Sammy Rae & The Friends, Lawrence, Vulfpeck, We The Kings, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Snarky Puppy, The Soul Rebels, Lettuce, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Rebirth Brass Band, Twiddle, and the list continues.

When the band is not playing shows, they are giving back to the community. The Funky Dawgz aim to connect, engage, inspire and rejuvenate music education in inner city schools across the country. The band frequently gives performances and master classes to young musicians in elementary, middle, and high schools across the region.

Come see what all the hype is about.

Ain’t no party like a Funky Dawgz party, ‘cus a Funky Dawgz party don’t stop!

Come see what all the hype is about.