John Papa Gros Band with The Rumble at The 8x10. VIP Ticket available. Includes Early Entry at 6:30 with Meet & Greet. Mardi Gras and Indian Funk Meets Brass Band and Gospel w/ John Papa Gros and his full band with horns> The Rumble featuring Big Chief Boudreaux Jr. John “Papa” Gros (pronounced Grow) is a New Orleans pianist, organist and singer-songwriter whose career reflects the city itself—resilient, rhythmic, steeped in tradition, and always evolving. For more than thirty years, Gros 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. Born in New Orleans, Gros embodies his hometown’s culture and deeply rooted traditions, absorbing its music and spirit. He began playing piano and French horn at age eleven and attended Loyola University in uptown New Orleans, graduating with a degree in French horn performance. While his formal training provided discipline and technique, Gros’ real education came from the school of hard knocks in the clubs and on the streets—learning the language of groove, feel, and restraint from the musical elders who had built the city’s sound. The Rumble: On Mardi Gras morning, your eyes may feast on the intricate and elaborate beadwork of the Black Masking Indians as they dance down the street, but the first thing you'll hear when they make their way toward you is the back line, known as "the rumble". Fronted by Big Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. of the Young Eagles Black Masking Indian tribe, the band seamlessly blends past, present, and future elements of New Orleans culture into their sound. The Rumble features an exceptional lineup of musicians: Aurélien Barnes on trumpet/percussion, José Maize Jr. on trombone, TJ Norris on bass, Ari Teitel on guitar, Andriu Yanovski on keys, and Trenton O’Neal on drums. Each member brings unique influences ranging from funk to hiphop to brass band, gospel, jazz, and classical. This results in a powerful synergy that captivates audiences with electrifying performances and call-and-response chanting rooted in Mardi Gras Indian traditions. Their music is a vibrant, authentic, and original expansion of iconic styles pioneered by groups like The Meters, Wild Magnolias, and Neville Brothers. Presented by The 8x10. This is an 18+ event.