Jon Cleary and The Absolute Monster Gentlemen have proudly released their first live album recording at The Vanguard in Sydney Australia in October 2007.  This searing live funk concert showcases JC & The AMG at its finest running down originals like When You Get Back, Mo Hippa, and New Orleans classics like Just Kissed My Baby, Tipitina's, much more.  

You can order the CD or download it direct from the web site here!

Check out the photo collection at Jambase to catch all the excitement of this years Jazz Fest. Among the melange of stellar musicians, Jon Cleary was captured jamming out with the Monster Gents.  Check out all the pics.

JC performed live at the 39th Annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival last weekend on April 26.  Highlights from the performance will be broadcast Saturday, May 3 at 2:00 PM and on archive in the near future.  Check out this performance here.

Cleary and The Gents have a slew of slamming shows during The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in support of the new Mo Hippa live album. Starting with an appearance on Saturday, April 26 at The Fairgrounds, that evening a return to Mid-City Lanes Rock-n-Bowl with Sonny Landreth and Kermit Ruffins, and Sunday, April 27 will be JC & AMG's first show at d.b.a. on Frenchman Street. Tuesday, April 29 JC & The AMG make a rare appearance at the Louisiana Music Factory promoting their new release Mo Hippa Live. Friday, May 2, brings JC & The Gents again hit the Rock-n-Bowl on a bill with Bonerama and Kermit Ruffins. Finally, Saturday, May 3 the band will host the Mo Hippa Album Release Party at The Maple Leaf Bar Uptown. Click here for a full list of dates with info.

This year's Keys To New Orleans; a tribute to New Orleans music, has invited some of New Orleans most treasured musicians to take the stage in a never before seen performance. Jon Cleary, joining forces with legendary producer, pianist, writer, arranger, singer and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Allen Toussaint and seven-time Blues Award nominee, Henry Butler, will take the stage to pay homage to New Orleans and New Orleans music. This show is not to be missed! For more info, check out the tour page.

Celebrating the kick off of this year's Jazz Fest, The Advocate ran a feature on Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen. The new release of the the live record, garnering much attention, has been long awaited by Cleary's fans. Providing an insight on touring and recording, Cleary talks about the new record, going back to the studio and life on the road. See the full article.

Revered as some of the most important summer festival series to catch in 2008, Panama Beach Concert Series and Twilight Alive plays host to "some of America's most esteemed roots music acts". On May 29th, Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen will take the stage to perform a smoking set, sure to keep Panama Beach, FL grooving for days to come! Following PBCS, JC and the Gents will play the Twilight Alive fest on June 5th, bringing New Orleans funk and R&B to Kingsport, TN. For more info, check out the tour page.

Celebrating Jon Cleary's tour and new album release, the Sydney Morning Herald ran a feature on Jon Cleary and the Gents in their weekly music column. "Pop stardom and its associated froth has never seemed important to Jon Cleary. His fascination has been the musical life and riches of old New Orleans, where big characters and inspired playing swirled with legend during endless late nights in smoky haunts near the Mississippi River." read more->

"Cool is not normally a term used to described a folk festival act, but it most aptly describes last  Friday's featured act at the Port Fairy Folk Festival - Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentleman. The New Orleans band combined a full-throttle funk feel with Cleary's husky, soul-drenched vocals and  keyboards." Click here for full article.

The Australian roots music magazine, Rhythms ran a feature on JC and the Gents in honor of the upcoming Bluesfest. "It was a tantalising taste for Cleary fans [Cleary's tour with Bonnie Raitt]- he and his Absolute Monster Gentlemen have not been to this country for a good five years. The great news is, we certainly won't be facing another five-year wait. The massive New Orleans musical parties that Cleary threw impressed more than one festival director and Cleary and the Monster Gents are returning this month to play Port Fairy, Bluesfest and more." To read the full article, click here.

On the heels of the tour down under, Cleary and the crew bring funk back to the motherland when the Gents play London's historic 100 Club.  The venue has hosted amazing talent over 50 years from roots artists including Muddy Waters, Brit Rock like The Kinks to punks like The Clash.  On April 6 and the lovely Exeter Theatre on April 5.  Then JC and The Gents return for a 2-night stand at Tobakken in Esbjerg, Denmark and with seminars at the Musical Institute.  Later that week there will be inaugural shows at Pavillonen in Grenaa, and Amager Bio in Denmark.

After a great tour back in October 2007, JC and The Gents return for dates down under including the East Coast Blues & Roots Fest, Port Fairy Folk Fest, The Basement and more.   Presented by Nathan Farrel and Code One Entertainment, the tour will make stops in Sydney, Brisbane, and Byron Bay starting March 7th and running through the 30th.  Click here for a full list of dates with info.

In the weekly blog, Living With Music, novelist Meghan Daum details her adoration for Jon Cleary's album, "Sometimes I Wonder". Daum, an inherant jazz, blues and classic rock fan lists Jon and the Gents in her top 10. Explaining her first encounter with "Sometimes I Wonder", she goes on to say, "I can't remember how I discovered this eponymously-titled album, but as soon as I got home with it I listened to the fourth track, "Just Kissed My Baby," approximately 65 times in a row and the first track, "Sometimes I Wonder," approximately 107 times in a row". To read the full article, follow this link.

Though New Orleans funk/soul pianist Jon Cleary was in town for last year’s Bluesfest, it was as a member of Bonnie Raitt’s touring band. Then Cleary returned for a whirlwind run of headline dates in October, a number of the dates having to be relocated to meet demand. It was a tantalising taste for Cleary fans - he and his Absolute Monster Gentlemen have not been to this country for a good five years. read more->

Make sure to catch Cleary's song "When You Get Back" airing in the latest episode of ABC's hit show, October Road. For times and information, visit http://abc.go.com/primetime/octoberroad/index?pn=index 

Make sure to catch Cleary's song "When You Get Back" airing in the latest episode of ABC's hit show, October Road. For times and information, visit http://abc.go.com/primetime/octoberroad/index?pn=index 

Be sure to catch Jon performing throughout the WWL TV morning show, this Wednesday morning from 7am to 9am Central Time. JC will be promoting his upcoming concerts during Mardi Gras, as well as, the Basin Street Records' Mardi Gras 2008 promotional CD.  WWL TV is broadcast on Cox 15 in the New Orleans area.

JC and The Gents return to Mid-City Lanes Rock-n-Bowl on February 22nd before heading out for a long tour down under and to Europe.  This will be their last show down NOLA way until Jazz Fest.  Come hurl some bowling balls at the pins while you shake your money maker to The Monster Gents.

On March 1st, The Gents take to the south to christen the recently opened BB Kings Blues Club in Orlando.  Leading up to that the band returns to the Bamboo Room in Lake Worth on February 28th and Skipper's Smokehouse on February 27th. Click here for all tour dates.

JC and The Gents get down at one of our favorite clubs, Tipitina's in celebration of their 30th Anniversary.   JC and The Gents will open for the legendary, Allen Toussaint at the Founders' Ball on Saturday, January 19.  This will be one night of New Orleans funky stuff.

"What can we say? This week an interview with the fabulous blues funk maestro from New Orleans hisself - Mr Jon Cleary. If you know Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, I don't have to tell ya that they're the funkiest thing on the planet. And if ya don't then grab a listen and you'll be converted. Starts about 30 mins in tone hounds, and heaps of other great tracks to satisfy your need for feed! I'm lovin it and hope ya dig it too, Salty."

New Year's Eve 2008 is a rare chance to see Jon Cleary perform a choice Solo Piano concert opening for the "Night Trippa" Dr. John at the Saengar Theatre in Mobile Alabama put on by the nice folks at Huka Entertainment.  Check it out and get funky for the New Year, y'all.

We are happy to announce that Jon Cleary and The Absolute Monster Gentlemen have signed with Blue Mountain Artists for exclusive booking in North America.  JC is proud to be on the roster with such great artists as Elvin Bishop, Bonerama, Eric Lindell, and Tab Benoit.  If you are looking to book JC and The Gents give Hugh and the crew
a shout.

JC will open for the Night Tripper hisself, Dr. John at the House of Blues, New Orleans on December 29.  On December 30 Jon and The Gents play a benefit for Renew Our Music at The Replublic down home in New Orleans.  Come out and get your last dose of the 2007 funk.

Gianluca Tramontana host of Mule Skinner Blues interviews Jon Cleary on the November 15th edition of Resonance FM. One of the most respected pianists living in the New Orleans is keyboard player Jon Cleary from the deep Southern swamps of….Kent! Mule Skinner Blues visits him at his home in the Crescent City where he has lived for almost thirty years.  Jon sits at the piano and talks about playing with the legends of R&B. Also he demonstrates some styles and sheds light on why the piano is so crucial in New Orleans music. You can listen to the interview here!

This weekend Jon will be playing back in the Crescent City for 2 solo piano gigs.  On December 7 at 11 PM, JC helps the Hard Rock Cafe celebrate their 20th Anniversary in New Orleans with a big home town celebration including Theresa Andersson and Henry Butler.  Also on Sunday, Dec. 9 Jon will play some solo piano at the Crescent City Farmers Market downtown.

Jon Cleary is proud to announce its new publish company, North Star Media.  North Star Media (NSM) is an innovative, broad-based media services company, providing music publishing/administration, project development, and business solutions for the film, television, advertising, videogame, and recording industries.  The North Star Media publishing catalogue includes hits by Rod Stewart, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Hornsby, and Cher; and NSM's Master Recordings feature legendary and groundbreaking artists including Taj Mahal, Dee Dee Ramone, Wayne Kramer, Coolio, Bobby Womack, Maxi Priest and Shabba Ranks.  We are happy to welcome NSM to the family.

November 29th to December 1st, Jon Cleary will be performing for four nights at Yoshi's in San Francisco with American Blues musician, Taj Mahal as part of The Phantom Blues Band. From movies such as Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya- Sisterhood, to Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, to The Blues Brothers, Tah Mahal has contributed sonically and visually to a number of great American films, and his live show should not be missed! Tickets go on sale October 29th at 10 a.m. HERE.

While JC and the AMG were on tour in London they stopped off for a special studio session with noted BBC luminary Paul Jones. Every Monday evening Paul Jones administers a weekly dose of Rhythm and Blues, combining classics, new releases, specially recorded sessions, and the occasional interview. Monday October 22nd at 7 pm UK time, you can hear the live online interview with Jon Cleary or catch it anytime for the following week by clicking the 'Listen Again' button on the Paul Jones webpage HERE. You can also listen to exlusive online tracks and view pictures from the sessions HERE.

Jon Cleary spoke with BluesWax from his home in the Upper Ninth Ward of New Orleans. Read part one of the interview HERE.

The quarters were close, the energy was high, and the music was hot at the Water Rats Theatre in London, September 9th 2007. Darrall Parsons of the BluesinLondon.com reviews the JC & AMG live show and looks forward to their next return, which he writes, "can’t be too soon in my book." Read the show review HERE.

Joel Selvin of the San Francisco Chronicle praises Jon Cleary and this year's Hardly Strictly Blue Grass Festival in beautiful Golden Gate Park. This free annual event harbors great traditional acts such as Gillian Welch and Steve Earle, and wild cards such as Boz Scaggs and our own Jon Cleary, whom Mr. Selvin calls "amazing". Read more about the recent event HERE.

Cleary's track "Got to be More Careful" is featured on the official House M.D. Soundtrack in stores now. The album is also available now from iTunes and Amazon. The soundtrack includes tracks from Elvis Costello, Lucinda Williams, Ben Harper, and Josh Ritter. For more information please visit www.myspace.com/housesoundtrack.

Internationally acclaimed Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, all the way from New Orleans, are the latest big names in a long-and-ever-growing list of music industry notables booked to perform at the Caloundra Music Festival, October 19-21... Festival Director Richie Eyles said that Jon Cleary is an "awesome talent" and an "absolute monster." Don't we know it. Read what else the Australian Press, Sunshine Coast Daily, has to say HERE.

Saturday, September 29th, Jon Cleary joined a string of special guests at Tipitina's in New Orleans, for the Record Release Party of "Goin Home: A Tribute To Fats Domino". You can support the cause by buying a CD online, or reading more about the album HERE. The album features Jon Cleary on track number 10 of Disc 1 with Bonnie Raitt in: I'm in Love Again/All By Myself.

George Winston gives much of the credit for his successful recording career to New Orleans piano legends. He paid them back by making a tribute CD that's raising money for the recovery. In the liner notes, Winston cites not only Longhair, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Jon Cleary and others with a national reputation, but lesser-known pianists such as Tom McDermott, David Torkanowsky, Amasa Miller, Joe Krown and Josh Paxton. For the full article, click here.

As Jon Cleary and his band, the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, continue to mine the rich vein of New Orleans funk and soul, they are becoming one of the funkiest bands on the planet. To read the full article, click here.

"The artistic challenge really is to generate all of your energies into taking from the traditional and making something new, rather than rehash it. I think it's good to pay tribute to those stars who have gone before, but what I try and do is both really. When we play a show, we play some old traditional New Orleans music to our own tilt that ends up sounding a little bit different than others do. But the challenge is to play some new songs and new arrangements, to stretch all the musicians."
Read Part One | Part Two

Listen to an interview with Jon by CreativeLoafing.com's Arts and Entertainment editor David Lee Simmons.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE

In New Orleans, the funk always comes hard and heavy. But at the 2007 edition of the city's Jazz and Heritage Festival, local soul men hit the classic-rock and heavy-metal songbooks with a vengeance. Singer-pianist Jon Cleary, a British native long resident in the Crescent City, salted his mix of Meters and Professor Longhair covers with vintage U.K. blues rock: Free's 'All Right Now,' rearranged as if Allen Toussaint had written it for Lee Dorsey. ''You can hear Cleary's take on that Free number on his new demos EP, Hotel Room Ruffs (FHQ).

READ THE ARTICLE HERE

Jon and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen's set from this year's New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is now available as a digital download.

CLICK HERE

In between, touring with Bonnie Raitt, The Monster Gents, and working on his castle in swampurbia Jon made some recordings in hotel rooms along the way and fashioned them into a tasty new morsel called Do Not Disturb, a 4 song EP featuring a couple choice covers and a couple original numbers. Released during the 2007 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the CD and digital download are now exclusively available here. Click below for a taste of the classic track "All Right Now."