JON CLEARY; PIANO, BASS & DRUMS

Jon Cleary is a name synonymous with down and dirty New Orleans funk, whether it be solo with a grand piano, or fronting his renowned band The Absolute Monster Gentleman. West Coast Blues and Roots punters will be one of the first audiences outside of New Orleans to see his acoustic trio of piano, upright bass and drums. Simply called Jon Cleary: Piano, Bass & Drums, this new line-up includes New Orleans native James Singleton on double bass who’s played with legends like Aaron Neville, Professor Longhair, James Booker and Harry Connick Jr. With Cajun Country-born Doug Belote (Willie Nelson, Ivan Neville) on drums, his new trio is a powerhouse. Directly inspired by gigs with a pick up Australian band on his last visit, this new band is a chance for Cleary to flex a different set of musical muscles, the trio will include all the ingredients Australian audiences have come to love him for – soul, jazz and funk grooves, with that trademark piano style – but with fresh tropical flavours and a second-line street beat.