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Jon Cleary’s love and affinity for New Orleans music goes back to the rural British village of Cranbrook, Kent, where he was raised in a musical family. Cleary’s maternal grandparents performed in London in the 1940s, under the respective stage names Sweet Dolly Daydream and Frank Neville, The Little Fellow With The Educated Feet – she as a singer, and he as a crooner and tap dancer. As a teen Cleary grew increasingly interested in funk-infused music and discovered that three such songs that 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. 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 there – even though his first instrument was the guitar, which he still plays and has recently reintroduced into his live performances. As word of Cleary’s burgeoning talent began to spread around town, he was hired by such New Orleans R&B legends as Snooks Eaglin, Earl “Trick Bag” King, Johnny Adams, and Jessie “Ooh Poo Pah Doo” Hill, while also gaining the respect of the great Crescent City pianists Dr. John and the late Allen Toussaint. Years later, in 2012, Cleary recorded a critically acclaimed album of all-Toussaint songs entitled Occapella. Today, Cleary’s work pays obvious homage to the classic Crescent City keyboard repertoire created by such icons as Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Art Neville, Dr. John, and James Booker – while also using it as a launching pad for a style that incorporates such other diverse influences as ’70s soul and R&B, gospel music, funk, Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Cuban rhythms, and much more. Deciding to stay in New Orleans, Cleary recorded his first album of nine, to date, in 1989. His ever-elevating profile led to global touring work in the bands of Taj Mahal, John Scofield, Dr. John, and Bonnie Raitt. Cleary has led his own group, the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, for over two decades now, but he still collaborates frequently with these old friends. At the 2018 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, for instance, Cleary performed alongside Raitt in a heartfelt tribute to Fats Domino.
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New Orleans Piano, New Orleans Funk And Groove, Funk
What an absolute legend. Bringin’ a little Naw’lins wherever he goes with swagger and style . Love love love.
Tanks Arts Centre Edge Hill, AustraliaHis piano playing and the entire percussion were the highlights of that show for sure!
De La Luz Soundstage Holyoke, MAWhat talent Jon and the band possess Big shout out to Pedro on percussion
Meeniyan Town Hall Meeniyan, AustraliaGreat show, cool venue. Recommend a short intermission to refill drinks.
Usher Hall Edinburgh, United KingdomAmazing show! Such great energy and tremendous talent!
The Bitter End New York City, NYYes, Jon Cleary is currently on tour. If you're interested in attending an upcoming Jon Cleary concert, make sure to grab your tickets in advance. The Jon Cleary tour is scheduled for 32 dates across 19 cities. Get information on all upcoming tour dates and tickets for 2026-2027 with Hypebot.
Jon Cleary is scheduled to play 32 shows between 2026-2027. Buy concert tickets to a nearby show through Hypebot.
Jon Cleary's tour starts Apr 01, 2026 and ends on Jan 16, 2027. They will play 19 cities; their most recent concert was held in New Orleans at Chickie Wah Wah and their next upcoming concert will be in Victoria at Royal Theatre.
As part of the Jon Cleary tour, Jon Cleary is scheduled to play across the following venues and cities:
