Jon Cleary

You couldn't possibly tell by his accent, and you wouldn't expect the kind of answer you’d get if you were to ask him about his favourite music, but Jon Cleary grew up in rural Cranbrook, Great Britain. Yep, one of the most prominent representatives and connoisseurs of New Orleans’ musical culture happens to be a Brit. And we have his uncle to thank for that. Cleary grew up in a musical family: his grandparents performed all over London, his dad played guitar (and inspired his son in the process) but it was his uncle who gave him a love of New Orleans r&b and funk through the scores of records he brought home from his travels. Professor Longhair, Fats Domino, Art Neville… It soon became clear: all roads in Jon Cleary’s life led him to New Orleans. In 1981, the then twenty-one year old troubadour took the only logical decision and jumped on a plane bound for the US Gulf Coast to never return again.

At the legendary Maple Leaf Bar, he soon raised his profile, in no time finding himself in great demand as a pianist - an instrument he had taught himself to play - by the likes of Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt, John Scofield and Taj Mahal. In 1989, the Brit also started writing his own songs, backed by his own band The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, who have been with him for over twenty years now. The ultimate recognition of his artistry came in 2016 when Cleary was awarded the Grammy for Best Regional Roots Album for his fêted 'Go Go Juice’ album. His last recording - 'Dyna-Mite’ - dates back to 2018, even though Cleary is at the top of his game. Needless to say, the musical foundation is New Orleans and its funk and r&b tradition which the songwriter supplements to his heart’s content with Afro-Caribbean, Cuban, gospel and even rock & roll influences. The upshot? Always funky, boundlessly interesting!