On Stage: New Orleans pianists Jon Cleary and Henry Butler

On Sunday, March 3, at 4 pm, KUVO’s performance series “On Stage” features two of New Orleans finest pianists, Jon Cleary and the late Henry Butler.

Both Cleary and Butler have visited KUVO many times over the years. So we’ve got a few of their authentic New Orleans classics on file. Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen visited in 2003, with Cornell Williams on bass and vocals, Derwin Perkins on guitar and Doug Belote on drums. Cleary also visited to play some solo piano and chat in 2016.

Henry Butler (whom we lost in 2018) lived in Denver for a short time after Hurricane Katrina, so KUVO was happy to be his radio home. His solo and ensemble performances date back to at least 2006 and continued up to 2016. Accompanists over the years included bassist Ken Walker, drummers Rudy Royston, Paul Romaine and Kevin Smith, guitarists Sam Mayfield and Paul Bollenback, and reed man Ricky Woodard.

Don’t miss the best of these sessions with Bayou piano men Jon Cleary and Henry Butler as they were produced LIVE in KUVO’s Phyllis A. Greer Performance Studio. That’s this Sunday afternoon at 4 pm  “On Stage,” a KUVO exclusive hosted by Susan Gatschet!