Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen

"We set out to capture that sound in the old-fashioned way: everybody in the room, playing together."

After thirty-five years at the forefront of the ever-evolving musical landscape of New Orleans, Grammy winner Jon Cleary decided to bring that sound back home — both figuratively and literally. He assembled the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, his acclaimed all-star big band, in his home studio in the Bywater, drew up a setlist of his most beloved songs plus some new favorites, and rolled tape.

The result is The Bywater Sessions, a tour de force showcasing the grit, funk and joy that has packed concert halls from New Orleans to Tokyo. Co-produced by Cleary and John Porter, whose credits include Roxy Music, The Smiths and Taj Mahal, it confirms his place in the New Orleans vanguard.

He is candid about why he expanded past the trio: there is a lot to be said for the lean, stripped-down sound of piano, bass and drums, but adding horns, guitar, percussion and a second keyboard let the arrangements bloom in new directions.

Good to know. Doors at 7 pm for an 8 pm show in The Warehouse. Standard tickets run $47–$57 and members $44–$54.