Jon Cleary Tickets

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Jon Cleary

2 concerts

British blues pianist Jon Cleary, known for working with icons like Eric Clapton and Bonnie Raitt, thrived in New Orleans' music scene with his band Absolute Monster Gentlemen. Celebrated for integrating R&B, blues, and Latin influences.

Concert Info

Genre: Jazz

Catch the Jon Cleary concert in Evanston at Evanston Space on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 8:00 PM. Buy your tickets now!

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Jon Cleary was born in London in 1962. Not the first line you expect in a bio about a New Orleans piano great, is it? Not only that, but he's a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer as well. Guitar was his first love, starting in England at age 5, moving on to performing at 11, and graduating to working as a musician at 14.

Forming Delta Wing

At age 16, he formed Delta Wing with renowned blues slide guitarist Roger Hubbard. Muddy Waters had remarked in 1972 that "Roger Hubbard is as good as any blues guitarist in the UK or the United States." This would be the first of Cleary's many brushes with greatness.

Influence of Funk-Infused Music

As a teen, Cleary grew increasingly interested in funk-infused music. He discovered that three songs he particularly admired—LaBelle's "Lady Marmalade," Robert Palmer's version of "Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley," and Frankie Miller's rendition of "Brickyard Blues"—were attributed to Allen Toussaint as either the songwriter, the producer, or both. Cleary's knowledge of Toussaint's work expanded significantly when his uncle returned home to the U.K. after a two-year sojourn in New Orleans with a copy of a Toussaint LP and two suitcases full of New Orleans R&B 45s. The match was struck.

First Visit to New Orleans

In 1981, Cleary flew to New Orleans for an initial pilgrimage and took a cab straight from the airport to the Maple Leaf Bar, a storied venue which then featured such great blues-rooted eclectic pianists as Roosevelt Sykes and James Booker. Cleary first worked at the Maple Leaf as a painter but soon graduated to playing piano—the instrument for which he is known today.

Career as a Session Musician

His mastery of the New Orleans style landed him gigs playing as a session musician in the bands of local legends Earl King, Johnny Adams, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Snooks Eaglin, Ernie K-Doe, Jessie Hill, and as a guitarist for Mac Rebennack (Dr. John).

Recognition from Dr. John

"Listen, we got a guy by the name of Johnny Cleary who's been livin' in Nawlins for a long time. He's got the spirit. You can't beat that." - Dr. John