Biography
Jon Cleary, born August 11, 1962, in Cranbrook, Kent, England, is a British-born, New Orleans-based pianist, vocalist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist renowned for his mastery of funk and R&B[1]. Growing up in a musical family—his father played guitar, and his uncle introduced him to New Orleans R&B records—Cleary was captivated by the sounds of Professor Longhair, Allen Toussaint, and other Crescent City legends from an early age[1][3]. He left formal education behind to pursue music, forming his first band, Delta Wing, at 16, and by 1981, he made a life-changing pilgrimage to New Orleans, where he began working as a painter at the Maple Leaf Bar before quickly transitioning to playing piano there[3][4]. Cleary’s deep immersion in the local scene led to session work with New Orleans greats like Earl King, Johnny Adams, and Dr. John, and he soon became a fixture in the city’s vibrant music community[2][4].
Cleary’s career took off in the late 1980s with the release of his debut album, Alligator Lips & Dirty Rice (1989), and he has since released several acclaimed records, both as a solo artist and with his band, The Absolute Monster Gentlemen[1][3]. His 2015 album Go Go Juice won a Grammy Award for Best Regional Roots Music Album, cementing his reputation as a leading exponent of New Orleans funk and R&B[1]. Cleary’s style is a dynamic fusion of traditional New Orleans piano, ’70s soul, gospel, funk, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms, always delivered with a fresh, contemporary edge[8]. He has toured globally with icons like Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal, and remains a beloved figure at local venues such as Tipitina’s and the Maple Leaf Bar, where he continues to draw crowds with his energetic performances[1][2]. Cleary’s legacy lies in his ability to honor the roots of New Orleans music while pushing its boundaries, ensuring its vitality for new generations[8].
Fun Facts
- Cleary’s first job in New Orleans was painting the exterior of the Maple Leaf Bar in exchange for access to the club’s piano—a gig that launched his career in the city[2][3].
- He is one of the few British musicians to have fully assimilated into the New Orleans music scene, earning respect from local legends and becoming a staple at iconic venues[1][2].
- Cleary’s band, The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, can expand to an eight-piece ensemble, often featuring a full horn section for larger shows[1].
- He appeared in the 2005 documentary Make It Funky!, performing a piano duo of 'Tipitina' with Allen Toussaint[1].
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Professor Longhair - Early inspiration through recordings brought by his uncle (N/A) [1970s]
- Allen Toussaint - Influenced Cleary's songwriting and piano style; performed together in documentary (Make It Funky! (film)) [2000s]
- James Booker - Admired for idiosyncratic piano style; Maple Leaf Bar connection (N/A) [1980s]
Key Collaborators
- Bonnie Raitt - Toured extensively as keyboardist; mutual admiration (Various tours and festival appearances) [1990s–2010s]
- Taj Mahal - Toured and recorded together (N/A) [1990s–2000s]
- Dr. John - Played guitar in his band; frequent collaborator (N/A) [1980s–1990s]
- Cornell C. Williams - Bassist and backup vocalist in The Absolute Monster Gentlemen (All band albums) [2000s–present]
- A.J. Hall - Drummer in The Absolute Monster Gentlemen (All band albums) [2000s–present]
Artists Influenced
- Annika Chambers - Played piano on her album Wild & Free (Wild & Free (2016)) [2010s]
- Nigel Hall - Occasional keyboardist with The Absolute Monster Gentlemen; stylistic influence (Live performances) [2010s]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen | 2002-05-07 | Album |
| Pin Your Spin | 2004-04-20 | Album |
| Dyna-Mite | 2018-07-13 | Album |
| So Swell | 2023-04-25 | Album |
| GoGo Juice | 2015-08-14 | Album |
| Mo Hippa Live | 2008-04-08 | Album |
| The Bywater Sessions | 2025-04-25 | Album |
| Moonburn | 1999-01-01 | Album |
| Occapella | 2012-04-17 | Album |
| Alligator Lips And Dirty Rice | 1994 | Album |
| New Kinda Groove~The Jon Cleary Collection | 2023-08-23 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Got To Be More Careful (Pin Your Spin)
- When You Get Back (Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen)
- So Damn Good (Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen)
- More Hipper (Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen)
- So Damn Good
- Uptown Downtown
- Sometimes I Wonder (Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen)
- Zulu Coconuts
- Frenchmen Street Blues (Treme: Music From The HBO Original Series - Season 2)
- 21st Century Gypsy Singing Lover Man (Dyna-Mite)
External Links
Heard on WWOZ
Jon Cleary has been played 11 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station. Showing the 10 most recent plays.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 26, 2025 | 12:14 | Bin A Lil' Minitfrom The Bywater Sessions | New Orleans Music Showw/ Black Mold or Bill DeTurk | |
| Nov 8, 2025 | 10:39 | Occapellafrom Occapella! | New Orleans Music Show - Saturday | |
| Oct 23, 2025 | 11:18 | port street blues | New Orleans Music Showw/ Michael Dominici | |
| Oct 20, 2025 | 11:34 | Fessa Longhair Boogaloofrom The Bywater Sessions | New Orleans Music Showw/ Murf Reeves | |
| Oct 18, 2025 | 18:05 | When You Get Backfrom Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen 2009 | Block Partyw/ Brice Nice | |
| Oct 17, 2025 | 12:11 | Fessa Longhair Boogaloofrom The Bywater Sessions | New Orleans Music Showw/ Black Mold or Bill DeTurk | |
| Oct 14, 2025 | 13:18 | So Damn Good 2025 | New Orleans Music Showw/ Cole Williams | |
| Oct 1, 2025 | 00:07 | I'm on the Wonderfrom A tribute to tHe King Of Zydeco | Over Night Musicw/ D Rootzmaster, MID - 3am | |
| Sep 30, 2025 | 11:07 | So Damn Good 2025 | New Orleans Music Showw/ Cole Williams | |
| Sep 22, 2025 | 13:41 | So Damn Goodfrom Jon Cleary And The Absolute Mons | New Orleans Music Showw/ Murf Reeves |