Rhythms perennial favourite, Grammy award winning multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and producer Jon Cleary returns for his first Australian tour in five years with his band The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, to celebrate twenty years since the band’s inception and first album.
London born, but a longtime resident of New Orleans, Jon has enjoyed a dizzying career, having graced stages alongside Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Allen Toussaint, Dr John, Brian May, Robert Plant, D’Angelo, Eric Clapton, Mavis Staples, Boz Scaggs, James Taylor, Charles Brown, Ike Turner… The list goes on.
With an exhaustive list of accolades and praise under his belt, Jon’s music continues to captivate audiences worldwide as he tours extensively with his band, while maintaining a robust local schedule in New Orleans.
Australian fans will have the chance to witness Jon and The Absolute Monster Gentlemen as they make their jubilant return to venues across the country in May 2024.
His dizzying career has included on-stage performances and studio recordings with a veritable who’s who of the business; Rufus Thomas, John Lee Hooker, D’Angelo, Heavy D, Eric Clapton, Keb-Mo, Ryan Adams, Levon Helm, Zigaboo Modeliste, Mavis Staples, Ann Peebles, Allen Toussaint, Dr John, Brian May, Robert Plant (Cleary’s one and only gig as a drummer!), Warren Storm, Bobby Charles, Boz Scaggs, Maria Muldaur, Walter Trout, Norbert Scrod, Little Milton, Ike Turner, Henry Butler, Charles Brown, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Junior Wells, Irma Thomas… and the list goes on and on.
In addition to his aforementioned GRAMMY, Cleary has spent the last 20 years consistently winning New Orleans music awards including Best Piano/Keyboard Player, Best Louisiana Artist and Record of the Year from OffBeat, as well as several Gambit New Orleans ‘Best Of”’s. In 2017 he was presented with the prestigious Ascona Jazz award. In 2020 he was named the “Best International Blues Act” by UK tastemaker JazzFM.
Today, the music continues. Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen tour all over the world on an almost never ending basis, while maintaining a robust local schedule in New Orleans. In addition, Cleary’s solo piano performances remain a fan favorite at venues like Chickie Wah Wah and the Saturn Bar.
TOUR DATES
MAY 2024
FRIDAY MAY 10: TANKS ARTS CENTRE, CAIRNS
SATURDAY MAY 11 – MEENIYAN TOWN HALL, VIC – TICKETS HERE
SUNDAY MAY 12 – MEMO MUSIC HALL, MELBOURNE, VIC – TICKETS HERE
THURSDAY MAY 16 – BRUNSWICK BALLROOM, MELBOURNE, VIC – TICKETS HERE
FRIDAY MAY 17 – BRUNSWICK BALLROOM, MELBOURNE, VIC – TICKETS HERE
SATURDAY MAY 18 – KINGS BEACH TAVERN, CALOUNDRA, QLD – TICKETS HERE
TUESDAY MAY 21 – LIZOTTES, NEWCASTLE, NSW – TICKETS HERE
WEDNESDAY MAY 22 – THE FACTORY, SYDNEY, NSW – TICKETS HERE
FRIDAY MAY 24 – FREO SOCIAL, WA – TICKETS HERE
SUNDAY MAY 26 – THE GOV, ADELAIDE, SA – TICKETS HERE