Straight Out Of NOLA, Pianist Jon Cleary Gives Taste Of 'GoGo Juice' August 14th

When pianist Jon Cleary was just 17-years-old, he moved from England to New Orleans to start a career as a musician. Upon stepping off the plane, he drove straight to the Maple Leaf Bar where he was offered a job painting walls for half-priced drinks and five dollars an hour. When R&B great and Maple Leaf-regular James Booker pulled out of a set one night, Cleary took the stage and the rest is history. He has gone on to record eight albums in total, between his solo records and those with his band.

On August 14th, the multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter will release 'GoGo Juice' (Thirty Tigers). Produced by Grammy-winning producer John Porter (B.B. King, Keb Mo, Ryan Adams), this nine-song LP showcases Cleary's genre-bending, southern-infused R&B/soul/funk.

Initially recorded at Dockside Studio deep in the bayou of Louisiana, Cleary finished the album at Funk Headquarters, his studio in the old Bywater neighborhood of NOLA. Written by Cleary and recorded with the help of a group of local New Orleans musicians, 'GoGo Juice' is packed with soulful vocals and showcases Cleary's masterful piano skills.

Album trailer:

On "Beg Steal or Borrow," Cleary's piano soars over a powerful bass line. "Pump it Up" brings Cleary's soulful voice to the forefront, shining on top of an energetic, brass-heavy track. On "Get'cha GoGo Juice" he gets funky, adding his piano and New Orleans croon to a memorable hook.

Cleary says, "I wanted to infuse 'GoGo Juice' with a sound that was true to the city I've grown to love. It's the kind of record that could only be made in New Orleans."

Rolling Stone said Cleary's music is "full of hooks and syncopation descended from James Booker and Professor Longhair" and Relix said he's "nothing short of amazing." His career includes writing and performing with B.B. King, John Scofield and Taj Mahal, playing in Bonnie Raitt's band for ten years, and also appearing alongside Norah Jones, Ben Harper, Alison Krauss and more on Raitt's album 'Bonnie Raitt and Friends.'

Cleary is currently touring extensively and will hit both Bonnaroo and Mountain Jam this summer. Full dates below.

Jon Cleary Tour Dates:
6/02 - Bed-Stuy, NY @ Bar Lunatico - SOLO
6/03 - Fairfield, CT@ StageOne - TRIO
6/04 - Bethlehem, PA @ Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks - TRIO
6/05 - Hunter, NY @ Mountain Jam - AMG
6/09 - New Orleans, LA @ Chickie Wah Wah - SOLO
6/12 - Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo NOLA Themed Party - TRIO
6/13 - Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Show - AMG
6/27 - Worcester, MA @ Paulie's New Orleans Jazz n' Blues Festival - AMG
7/11 - Madison, WI @ La Fete de Marquette - AMG
7/24 - Boca Raton, FL @ The Funky Biscuit - AMG
8/06 - Brooklyn, NY @ BAM Rhythm & Blues Festival - AMG
8/20 - Manchester, UK @ Band on the Wall - AMG
8/21 - London, UK @ Ronnie Scott's - AMG
8/22 - London, UK @ Ronnie Scott's - AMG
8/28 - Iowa City, IA @ University of Iowa - AMG
8/29 - Shreveport, LA @ Riverside Warehouse (TBA) - AMG
9/12 - Urbana, IL - Krannert PAC @ ***CO-HEADLINE WITH JOHN SCOFIELD
9/26 - Bogalusa, LA @ Bogalusa Blues Festival - AMG

** Additional New Orleans dates and full schedule available at: http://www.joncleary.com/tourdates

KEY:
SOLO - Solo Show
TRIO - Jon Cleary & Absolute Monster Gentlemen Trio
AMG - Jon Cleary & Absolute Monster Gentlemen Full-Band

Jon Cleary On The Web:
http://shorefire.com/client/jon-cleary
http://www.joncleary.com/
https://www.facebook.com/jonclearymusicofficial
https://twitter.com/jonclearymusic