Jon Cleary returns home for five UK shows for Gogo Juice album
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Jon Cleary, the UK-born, New Orleans-based keyboardist, vocalist and songwriter, makes his return to his native land this month, bringing his trio the Absolute Monster Gentlemen to play at Manchester’s Band on the Wall (20 August, 7.
30pm), and four shows over two nights at Ronnie Scott’s (21 & 22 August, 6pm/10.30pm). Growing up in rural Kent before moving to New Orleans whilst still a teenager, Cleary quickly established himself on the local scene and now lists John Scofield, Dr. John and Taj Mahal among those he has worked with, alongside a 10-year period performing and co-writing withBonnie Raitt.
Cleary and his band will perform material from the new album Gogo Juice, Cleary’s sixth album as leader, due for release on 14 August and made up entirely of his original compositions, demonstrating influences of New Orleans R’n’B, ‘70s soul, funk, gospel and Afro-Caribbeanmusic. Among those featured are Cleary himself on piano and vocals, Grammy award-winning producer John Porter, the horn arranging talents of Allen Toussaint and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, praised by Rolling Stone as “broad, deep and roiling as the Mississippi River.”
– Ed Rice
For more info and tickets visit www.joncleary.com