Crescent City piano powerhouse John “Papa” Gros will honor a local legend during New Orleans Jazz Fest 2024 with a special tribute to the late Dr. John. The Papa Plays the Nite Tripper performance is set to take place at Toulouse Theatre on Wednesday, May 1st [get tickets].
John “Papa” Gros (pronounced like “grow”) is among the most revered artists in the modern Big Easy music scene. From his decades of sideman work with a who’s who of New Orleans superstars to his own lively band, Papa Grows Funk, the pianist has made a career out of spreading the gospel of NOLA music and culture far and wide. As Gros himself has said, “Sharing New Orleans with the world is my calling.”
The special performance at Toulouse Theatre will see Gros highlight one particularly celebrated New Orleans export, six-time Grammy-winner Malcolm “Mac” John Rebennack Jr., a.k.a. Dr. John. Heavily influenced by the theatrics and aesthetic of his early mentor, Professor Longhair, Rebennack adopted a flamboyant style on stage that stuck with him for the entirety of his career. Following a stint in Los Angeles as a member of the famed studio band known as the “Wrecking Crew,” Rebennack returned to New Orleans where he took on the “Dr. John The Night Tripper” persona and launched a legendary solo career centered around the combination of New Orleans funk, psychedelic rock, and jazz.
Tickets for John “Papa” Gros’ Papa Plays the Nite Tripper performance at Toulouse Theatre on Wednesday, May 1st during the “Daze Between” Jazz Fest weekends are now on sale here. Scroll down for complete show details.
Papa Plays the Nite Tripper is one of two unique tributes to the music of Dr. John on the 2024 Live For Live Music Fest by Nite series during New Orleans Jazz Fest. While Gros will bring his authentic local know-how to bear for his Dr. John tribute show, a Sunday, April 28th tribute performance by Montana-native “galaxy grass” outfit Kitchen Dwellers at Toulouse Theatre will explore Mac’s music through the lens of progressive bluegrass.
Related: Daze Between New Orleans Reveals 2024 Lineup: Gov’t Mule, Lettuce, John Scofield, More
Other shows previously announced as part of Live For Live Music’s Fest by Nite series include include the Daze Between New Orleans festival featuring Gov’t Mule, Lettuce, John Scofield, and more at Faubourg Brewery (4/30–5/1), Andy Frasco & The U.N. with special guests at House of Blues New Orleans (4/30), The Daze Between Band at Tipitina’s (5/1, advance tickets SOLD OUT), a three-night Tank and the Bangas run at Toulouse Theatre (5/2–5/4), Lettuce at The Joy Theater (5/3), and Break Science at Toulouse Theatre (5/4, technically early-a.m. 5/5). Keep an eye out for more Fest by Nite announcements in the coming weeks.
***SHOW INFO***
Show: Papa Plays The Nite Tripper: John “Papa” Gros Tribute to Dr. John presented by Live For Live Music & GMP Live
Band: Papa Grows Funk
Date: Wednesday, May 1st, 2024
Time: Doors: 8:00 p.m. CT / Show 9:00 p.m. CT
Venue: Toulouse Theatre – 615 Toulouse Street, New Orleans, LA, 70130
Tickets: General Admission Advance: $30 / General Admission Day of Show: $35
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