Jon Cleary So Swell (CD)

(Single Lock) 12 tracks
Funk, jazz, R&B - these genres are so deeply rooted in New Orleans that it's no wonder young British pianist Jon Cleary was forced to move to the city to perform there. In the early 80's he painted the bar of the famous Maple Leaf Bar, where he listened weekly to James Booker play live while soaking up the sounds of great New Orleans pianists like Huey Piano Smith, Mac Rebennack, Fats Domino and Professor Longhair.

In 2023, four decades later, New Orleans welcomed Cleary as one of its own. For this recording, the circle is complete: Cleary is backed by the rhythm section of James Booker - from his latest studio album Classified - James Singleton on double bass and Johnny Vidacovich on drums. On some tracks, he's joined by James Rivers, a legendary New Orleans saxophonist who's been on many New Orleans funk and R&B classics, from Big Chief to Carnival Time.