Jon Cleary

Jon Cleary is a pivotal figure in the preservation and evolution of New Orleans R&B. Born in England but a resident of New Orleans since the early 1980s, Cleary underwent a self-imposed apprenticeship at the Maple Leaf Club, eventually becoming a premier exponent of the city's unique piano tradition.

His sound is a sophisticated synthesis of Professor Longhair's rhumba-boogie, James Booker's classical-inflected blues, and the hard-hitting funk of The Meters. As a session musician, he has been the secret weapon for artists like Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal, lending a specific 'Big Easy' authenticity to their records. His own work, particularly with his band The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, is characterized by high-level musicianship, complex syncopation, and a deep integration of Caribbean and West African rhythmic influences. Critical consensus views Cleary as one of the few contemporary artists capable of bridging the gap between traditional Dixieland/blues roots and modern, high-fidelity funk and soul.