In 2000, the keyboardist worked steadily as a member of George Porter Jr.'s band, co-leader of the rock band MuleBone and as a solo act on Bourbon Street. To fill his open Monday nights he launched an informal New Orleans funk project, Papa Grows Funk, at a weekly residency at the Old Point Bar, later moved to the Maple Leaf.

Papa Grows Funk is now Gros' main gig, with three CDs -- 2001's "Doin' It", 2003's "Shakin' ", and the new release “Live at the Leaf” -- and 200... more