MARTINSVILLE, Va. (May 4, 2026) — Renowned New Orleans pianist John “Papa” Gros will bring his signature Big Easy sound to Piedmont Arts on Thursday, May 28.
Gros is a New Orleans native whose career reflects the city itself — resilient, rhythmic, steeped in tradition, and always evolving. For more than 30 years, he has served as both a keeper and a translator of New Orleans music, blending funk, R&B, jazz, blues, rock, and Americana into a sound that is deeply rooted yet forward-looking.
A founding member of Papa Grows Funk, a band that became synonymous with modern New Orleans funk, he has performed in tributes alongside acts such as Bruce Springsteen, Mavis Staples, Jason Isbell, and John Fogerty, and with two of his most influential mentors, Dr. John and Allen Toussaint.
His latest album, “Giants,” released earlier this year, is a groove-driven tribute to the artists who have shaped his musical style, including Toussaint, Dr. John, The Meters, Levon Helm, and Billy Preston. Recorded live in New Orleans with support from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and the Threadhead Cultural Foundation, the album captures songs refined through years of performance and delivered with equal parts reverence and risk.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Admission is $20 per person. Beer and wine will be available at the cash bar. Tickets are on sale now at Piedmont Arts and online here.
This event is sponsored by Move to Martinsville and Music in the Box. It is part of their French Quarter Musical Mini Series, an intimate, three-show celebration of New Orleans–inspired music. Each performance takes place at a different partner venue, offering a unique setting while highlighting the rich arts scene of Martinsville-Henry County. Other events in the series include:
For more information on exhibits and events at Piedmont Arts, click here.
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