Jon Cleary's new album will be 'Dyna-Mite'
A first chance to hear new music from the New Orleans-based blues pianist
New Orleans-based Blues man Jon Cleary is back with a new album this July. The Kent born pianist says 'Dyna-mite' is inspired by the nickname of one of his heroes, Etta James, and features Cleary on a host of instruments across 10 original tracks. He says: "The idea for Dyna-mite and the whole first verse came to me, unbidden and complete, on a plane as we were about to take off for an overseas tour. The rest of the song came pretty easily and I had in the back of my mind an image from an old gig poster on my wall of Etta James, billing her as 'Li'l Miss Dyna-mite'. I've wanted a new tune in the set that had that funky old Caribbean groove and we nailed it in the first take, live vocals and all."
After winning a Grammy for his 2015 debut GoGo Juice, there are big expectations for the English musician, who's made The Big Easy his adopted home. Cleary says he spent his early years with the city's great musicians for company, growing up in the small town of Cranbrook which couldn't seem further away. After graduating from high school he immediately jumped on a plane to New Orleans, and has never looked back - and the city's embraced him as well.
'Dyna-mite' was recorded at Music Shed Studios, The Parlor and Cleary's own Funk Headquarters studio in New Orleans' historic Bywater neighbourhood. It features an array of local musicians, as well as a collaboration with legendary Harlem jazz and blues guitarist Taj Mahal.
Below, you can listen to the first single (the title track)Â from the album which is out on 13Â July.