Orion Financial Free Concert Series ft. Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen

Schedule

Sat, 04 Oct, 2025 at 07:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

1928 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, United States, Tennessee 38104 | Memphis, TN

Advertisement
The Orion Financial Free Concert Series welcomes local, national, and international acts to the historic Overton Park Shell where legendary talent has left a timeless legacy.

About the Artist:

After thirty-five years of being at the forefront of the ever-evolving musical landscape of New Orleans, Grammy Award winner Jon Cleary decided to bring that sound back home, both figuratively and literally. He assembled his Absolute Monster Gentlemen (his acclaimed all-star big band) in his home studio in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans, drew up a setlist of some of his most beloved songs– and some new favorites– and rolled tape.
“We set out to capture that sound in the old-fashioned way: everybody in the room, playing together,” Cleary explains.
The result is The Bywater Sessions, a musical tour-de-force that showcases the grit, funk and joy that’s packed concert halls from New Orleans to Tokyo and beyond. Co-produced by Cleary and John Porter (Roxy Music, The Smiths, Taj Mahal), it’s a stunning collection of performances that affirms Cleary’s place in the New Orleans musical vanguard.
“There’s a lot to be said for the ‘lean and mean’ sound of a piano trio, stripped down to basics, simple and direct,” Cleary says. “But recently, I’ve been experimenting with different combinations; adding horns, guitar, percussion and even another keyboard player. This expanded line-up has allowed the arrangements to blossom in new directions.”
As for the musicians, it’s the best of the best. Long time Monster Gentlemen Cornell Williams and A.J. Hall anchor the band on bass and drums, respectively. They are joined by Nigel Hall (Lettuce) on Hammond organ, Pedro Segundo (Ronnie Scott’s All Stars) on percussion, Xavier Lynn (MonoNeon, Ledisi) on guitar, and an all-star horn section of Aaron Narcisse (Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra), Charlie Halloran (Squirrel Nut Zippers, Preservation Hall All Stars) and Jason Mingledorff (Galactic).
“Sophisticated, nasty, good-time, low-down funk is the folk music of New Orleans,” Cleary says. “Everyone playing on this recording is a New Orleanian by birth or by choice, having learned their craft at the feet of the masters who in turn were taught by the old lions in their day - it's a tradition stretching back over two hundred years. The roots go deep, but each generation, growing up with street parades and second-lines, absorbs the old and introduces the new, gently coaxing the essential essence into and out of each succeeding decade.”
It’s an apt description of Cleary’s career thus far. Born in London and on a plane to New Orleans before he turned twenty years old, he grew up absorbed by the sounds and rhythms of the Crescent City. His mastery of the city’s music landed him gigs playing as a session musician in the bands of local legends Earl King, Johnny Adams, Walter ‘Wolfman’ Washington, Snooks Eaglin, Ernie K-Doe, Jessie Hill– and as a guitarist for Dr. John. He later toured extensively with icons like Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal. His solo career began in earnest in 1989 and includes beloved records like their self-titled band debut and his 2015 Grammy winner, Go-Go Juice.
In fact, his first job in New Orleans was as a painter at beloved local club the Maple Leaf Bar, and it wasn’t long until he was playing piano in that very room. To this day, he and his band continue to pack that room to crowds that gather from around the world, playing their unique and ever-evolving take on New Orleans funk and R&B.
“These grooves are not museum pieces, they are alive, breathing and fresh - and that’s why joints like Tipitina’s, The Maple Leaf Bar and Chickie Wah Wah are always packed when the locals, young and old, come out to hear the Gentlemen do they thang,” Cleary proudly adds.
On The Bywater Sessions, the band that Rolling Stone’s David Fricke called “as broad, deep and rolling as the Mississippi river” is finally captured as intended– live, in the room and as funky as ever. And with that comes an invitation from Cleary himself:
“Close your eyes, imagine you’re in the room with us, me and the band, Mike Dorsey the engineer, John Porter the producer and Reed the manager. Turn it up and enjoy the experience. I hope you have as much fun listening as we did playing.”

🎶: https://overtonparkshell.org/eventpage/joncleary25
🤝 SPONSORS 🤝
A2H
🧡 COMMUNITY PARTNERS 🧡
Blue Sky Couriers
DECK PARTIES AVAILABLE
Want to experience the vibes and views like a VIP?
Pick your favorite show, and throw a deck party!
🎉: https://overtonparkshell.org/sponsorship-opportunities

Know Before You Go:
Food Trucks: Midtown Deli | Pok Cha | Carmelitas
Blue Sky Couriers will kick off the evening with an extra special delivery.
Picnic baskets, coolers, beverages, blankets, and lawn chairs are always welcome. We also offer food and beverage for sale in the Autozone Food and Beverage Concourse. Dogs on a leash are welcome in designated areas. Overton Park Shell is a nonsmoking facility.
Advertisement

Where is it happening?

1928 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, United States, Tennessee 38104

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Overton Park Shell

Host or Publisher Overton Park Shell

It's more fun with friends. Share with friends

Discover More Events in Memphis

Mid Autumn Festival at Crosstown Concourse
Sat, 04 Oct at 06:00 pm Mid Autumn Festival at Crosstown Concourse

1350 Concourse Ave, Memphis, TN

FESTIVALS MID-AUTUMN-FESTIVALS
Mempho Festival - Sunday
Sat, 04 Oct at 06:00 pm Mempho Festival - Sunday

Radians Amphitheater At Memphis Botanic Garden

FESTIVALS TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Jazz, Jewels, and Fine Art Event
Sat, 04 Oct at 06:00 pm Jazz, Jewels, and Fine Art Event

Waterkolours Fine Art Gallery

ART FINE-ARTS
The Royal Rhythm Affair Music Producer Battle
Sat, 04 Oct at 06:00 pm The Royal Rhythm Affair Music Producer Battle

South Main Artspace Lofts

FOOD-DRINKS CALENDAR
Nick Zoulek: "Enter Branch"
Sat, 04 Oct at 07:30 pm Nick Zoulek: "Enter Branch"

1350 Concourse Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38104, United States

ART MUSIC
Eliane Elias Tickets
Sat, 04 Oct at 08:00 pm Eliane Elias Tickets

Memphis, TN

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
DURANGO FEST EN MEMPHIS
Sat, 04 Oct at 08:00 pm DURANGO FEST EN MEMPHIS

Memphis Coliseum

FESTIVALS
The Office Party
Sat, 04 Oct at 08:00 pm The Office Party

619 Chelsea Ave

PARTIES ENTERTAINMENT
Mempho Festival - Friday
Sun, 08 Sep Mempho Festival - Friday

FESTIVALS CONCERTS
1st Sunday Jazz Jam Pop Up Series
Sun, 02 Mar at 02:00 pm 1st Sunday Jazz Jam Pop Up Series

Center for Southern Folklore

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
A Date Night Adventure! - Historical Journey Through Memphis
Thu, 22 May at 08:00 am A Date Night Adventure! - Historical Journey Through Memphis

1928 Veterans Plaza Dr

TRIPS-ADVENTURES ART
Traveler: A Musical Journey of Reflection and Discovery
Tue, 30 Sep at 07:00 pm Traveler: A Musical Journey of Reflection and Discovery

3800 Central Ave, Memphis, TN 38111-7622, United States

LIVE-MUSIC CONCERTS
Sunny War presented by Folk All Y'all + Crosstown Arts
Tue, 30 Sep at 07:30 pm Sunny War presented by Folk All Y'all + Crosstown Arts

Crosstown Arts

MUSIC ART
Tue, 30 Sep at 07:30 pm Sunny War in Memphis

Folk All Y'all

ART LIVE-MUSIC
Wed, 01 Oct at 07:00 pm The Lowdown Drifters in Memphis

Hernando's Hideaway

ART LIVE-MUSIC
The Lowdown Drifters in Memphis
Wed, 01 Oct at 08:00 pm The Lowdown Drifters in Memphis

Hernando's Hide-A-Way

ENTERTAINMENT CONCERTS
Boot Scootin Boogie Nights [Big Room-Upstairs]
Wed, 01 Oct at 08:00 pm Boot Scootin Boogie Nights [Big Room-Upstairs]

282-284 N Cleveland St Memphis, TN 38104

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
FEA \/ Los Psychosis \/ Lips Speak Louder [Small Room-Downstairs]
Wed, 01 Oct at 08:00 pm FEA / Los Psychosis / Lips Speak Louder [Small Room-Downstairs]

282-284 North Cleveland Street Memphis, TN 38104

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Jazz Currents: Alex Upton Quartet
Thu, 02 Oct at 06:00 pm Jazz Currents: Alex Upton Quartet

1934 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, United States, Tennessee 38104

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Thu, 02 Oct at 06:00 pm Mempho Festival: Widespread Panic Tyler Childers Father John Misty & The Flaming Lips - 3 Day Pass

Radians Amphitheater At Memphis Botanic Garden

FESTIVALS CALENDAR

What's Happening Next in Memphis?

Discover Memphis Events