Happy Birthday, Papa Jon Gros!

Singer-songwriter, pianist, guitarist and French horn player John “Papa” Gros was born in New Orleans on September 9, 1966, began playing gigs when he was just fifteen years old, and graduated from Loyola in 1989 with a degree in French Horn performance. For years he performed solo on Bourbon Street and developed a reputation as a talented sideman, backing up New Orleans legends. But it was as an organist and pianist for George Porter Jr.’s Runnin’ Pardners in the 1990s that he really kicked off his career. In 2000, after a series of impromptu jam sessions with friends, Gros formed Papa Grows Funk with guitarist June Yamagishi, sax player Jason Mingledorf, bassist Marc Pero and drummer Russell Batiste, Jr., who was later replaced by Jeffery "Jellybean" Alexander. For 13 years, the legendary band performed weekly at the famous Maple Leaf Bar, mixing the smooth sophistication of a jazz quintet with the wild, anything-goes spirit of Mardi Gras. Papa Grows Funk performances became a staple for locals and tourists alike, and eventually led to six albums and an international tour. In 2004, he kicked off his solo career with the album Day's End, while continuing to perform with PGF. The band called it quits in 2013, but subsequent years they frequently reunited for performances on the Monday following the second weekend of Jazz Fest.

After PGF’s run ended, Gros continued working as sideman for New Orleans artists, as well as and playing organ during a pair of all-star tributes to Dr. John and the Neville Brothers. The 2014 Dr. John tribute, The Music Mojo of Dr. John, was later released as a critically-acclaimed live album that featured Gros playing with Bruce Springsteen, Mavis Staples, Jason Isbell, and John Fogerty. The tribute concerts allowed him to play alongside his two biggest influences, Doctor John and Art Neville, both of whom passed in 2019. After the tribute concerts, Gros focused again on his solo career and released his second solo album River’s On Fire in 2016. And in 2020, he released his third solo album Central City, which is a collection of Gros’ feel good originals alongside his takes on beloved classic songs, and featuring numerous New Orleans luminaries including Ivan Neville, Don Vappie, Brian Stoltz, Mark Mullins, and George Porter Jr.

Gros has brought his city’s celebratory culture to listeners around the world, and today we all celebrate this amazing artist’s birthday with him!

Essence Festival! June 30 - July 5, 2022

The Essence Festival, known as "the party with a purpose", is an annual music festival which started in 1995 as a one-time event to celebrate Essence, a magazine aimed primarily towards African-American women. It is the largest event celebrating African-American culture and music in the United States. Locally referred to as the Essence Fest, it has been held in New Orleans, since 1994 except for 2006, when it was held in Houston, Texas due to Hurricane Katrina. It features artists simultaneously performing on a main stage as well as four standing-room only superlounge stages.

Celebrating Juneteenth!

Juneteenth is the commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. It was on June 19, 1865, that Union troops overcame the resistance in Galveston, Texas, and announced the Civil War was over and enslaved people were free. While the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863, it wasn’t until this day, two and a half years later, over two months after General Lee surrendered, that federal forces that were able to influence and overcome the resistance in Galveston, and enforce President Lincoln’s Executive Order.

Today Juneteenth is a national day of pride that celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. On Juneteenth we acknowledge the African American spirit and pay tribute to the roles and contributions which have enriched our society. And for New Orleans, we have a lot to celebrate!

New Orleans Pride - June 9 - 12!

New Orleans Pride fully embraces the message of “One CommUNITY” as they celebrate our history and promote the future prosperity of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast Region. They use public awareness and education about the LGBT+ community as a way to combat “phobias” and discrimination. Their programs, seminars and events leading up to, and during Pride weekend, are meant to include individuals from all walks of life.

New Orleans Pride raises money to put on the New Orleans Pride Festival for the LGBT+ Community of New Orleans and its allies.

Tremé / 7th Ward Arts & Culture Festival - May 28 -29!

From NewOrleans.com:

Tremé and the 7th Ward have given life to some of New Orleans’ (and the world’s) most famous works of art, music, and culture. To celebrate these historic, thriving areas, the Tremé/7th Ward neighborhoods host an annual, free spring festival (usually every Memorial Day Weekend) that features neighborhood tours, bar crawls, a Gospel breakfast, and a Congo Square second line!

Under the Bridges Arts and Culture Festival

This free two-day music festival is open to the public and takes place in the spring under I-10 between Basin Street & St. Bernard Avenue along North Claiborne Avenue. Attendees can expect to see live music legends, local cuisine, and crafts, as well as community organizations and city partners who will share the history and significance of these neighborhoods.

Additional Information

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a Gospel breakfast, Congo Square second line, tours of the neighborhoods, panel discussions, and more.

Celebrating World Cocktail Day!

World Cocktail Day is a global celebration of cocktails, and the common myth is that they originated in New Orleans in the 1830’s. The story goes that Antoine Peychaud ran an apothecary shop in the French Quarter and sold his own homemade bitters. After a time, he recognized that his bitters tasted especially good mixed with cognac, sugar and water. And, since he measured out this concoction with an egg cup, or "coquetier" in French, the “cocktail” was born.

However, World Cocktail Day marks the date, May 13, 1806, that the first definition of a cocktail was published in the New York tabloid The Balance and Columbian Repository. A cocktail was defined as "a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water and bitters".

Whether you believe cocktails originated sometime around 1806, or in the 1830s in New Orleans, I’m just thankful someone created them! Cheers!