PAPA GROWS FUNK READY TO FUNK UP COLORADO

Papa Grows Funk, a veritable New Orleans supergroup, features John Gros (George Porter Jr.’s Runnin’ Pardners) on Hammond B3 and lead vocals; Russell Batiste, Jr. (funky Meters, Vida Blue) on drums; June Yamagishi (Wild Magnolias) on guitar; Jason Mingledorff (Galactic) on tenor sax; and alternating bassists Marc Pero and Peter V.

PGF spent 2001 gigging constantly, fine-tuning the group’s high-energy live set, and increasing its constantly expanding repertoire of original New Orleans funk. Music fans, journalists and industry types alike are quickly taking notice. After a string of sell-out shows in San Francisco and New York City last summer, PGF was featured in the cover story of Relix (September-October 2001) along with Medeski Martin & Wood, Soulive and John Scofield. Locally, PGF was recently nominated for “Best of the Beat” awards in three categories by Offbeat, the respected New Orleans music magazine: Best Funk Band, Best Emerging Funk Band, and Best Funk Album.

Doin’ It, the band’s critically acclaimed debut release, continues to garner rave reviews in publications such as Bass Player, Blues and Soul (Japan) and in newsprint around the country. Late last year, a Japanese distributor picked up Doin’ It for major distribution in Japan, and almost overnight, it became the top seller in the blues department of Tower Record/Osaka, and the #3 seller in the blues department at Tower Records/Tokyo, both in the month of December.

If PGF’s success during the past year is any indication, 2002 looks to be the break out year for Papa Grows Funk. After the band’s Colorado run, the winter tour resumes on February 14th, PGF returns to San Francisco’s Boom Boom Room for three nights (February 14th-16th), followed by east coast dates later in the month, including a February 28th showcase at BB King Blues Club in New York City. Also, PGF makes its debut appearance at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on Sunday, May 5th with other summer festival appearances likely to follow.

Playing their brand of low-slung New Orleans funk to capacity crowds around the country, Papa Grows Funk has firmly established itself as the premier live New Orleans act – particularly in their home-town Monday night gigs at New Orleans’ legendary Maple Leaf Bar. Given its marquis line-up, PGF continues to draw fans from among the ranks of well-known musicians who frequently drop by to sit in with the band or simply to check out the top-shelf musicianship and tightly woven arrangements which have become PGF’s trademarks.

As most Phish fans now know, Page McConnell joined PGF on stage last September while in New Orleans recording with PGF drummer Batiste and Allman Brothers bassist Oteil Burbridge on McConnell’s Vida Blue project. Other veterans recently taking the stage with PGF include jazz keyboardist Joe Sample, KDTU bassist Ron Johnson, legendary soul-jazz guitarist Melvin Sparks, and keyboardist Merl Saunders. At New York’s Tribeca Blues, Soulive’s Eric Krasno was seen groovin in standing room only crowd.

Of all the musicians who have sat sit-in with PGF, perhaps most notable –and most rewarding for the band members- the four original Meters; Leo Nocentelli, Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste, George Porter, Jr., and Art Neville - all sat in with the band at various times in 2001, suggesting a nod of musical approval, and, perhaps, a symbolic passing of the crown to New Orleans’ lofty funk throne.

For Info on Papa Grows Funk’s Colorado Tour, check out www.papagrowsfunk.com.

PAPA GROWS FUNK COLORADO TOUR DATES
January 10 - The Bluebird Theater – Denver
January 11 - Sherpa & Yeti’s – Breckenridge
January 12 - 8150 – Vail
January 14 - Tugboat Grill & Pub - Steamboat Springs
January 15 - Tugboat Grill & Pub - Steamboat Springs
January 16 - The Fox Theatre – Boulder

Matthew Kane
JamBase Colorado Correspondent
Go See Live Music!