Jon Cleary (musician)
Jon Cleary (born August 11, 1962)[1] is a British-born, American funk and R&B musician, based in New Orleans, Louisiana.[2] Cleary is an accomplished pianist as well as being a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and songwriter.[3]
This article is about the British-born musician. For the Australian writer, see Jon Cleary. For other uses, see John Cleary (disambiguation).
Jon Cleary
August 11, 1962
Cranbrook, Kent, England
Musician
Piano
1980–present
FHQ, Single Lock, Basin Street, Virgin/Point Blank, Ace
Cleary has performed with a number of prolific musicians including Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt,[4] Taj Mahal,[5] B.B. King,[6] Ryan Adams,[7] and Eric Burdon.[8] Compositions by Cleary have been recorded by such notable musicians as Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, and John Scofield on his 2009 album Piety Street.[9][10]
Cleary's current band is Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, who have released six albums.[11] Their album Go Go Juice won the Grammy Award for Best Regional Roots Music Album in the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.[12][13]
Early life[edit]
Cleary is originally from Cranbrook, Kent, in the south-east of England. He attended Colliers Green Primary School, Angley Secondary and then Cranbrook School.[14] His father played guitar but it was his uncle, returning from trips to America bringing recordings of Professor Longhair and others, who inspired his love for R&B. Cleary's focus was always more on art and music and everything that goes with it, than academic pursuits, and he soon left schooling behind to develop a life in music.[14][15]