A multi-talented musician,
John Clayton deserves much more recognition. A brilliant bassist whose bowed solos are exquisite,
Clayton is also a top-notch arranger and composer. A protégé of
Ray Brown (whom he recorded with on a couple of occasions, including a late-'90s collaboration with fellow bassist
Christian McBride),
Clayton picked up important early experience playing with Count Basie's Orchestra for two years. He has co-led
the Clayton Brothers with his younger brother, altoist
Jeff, off and on since 1977, and in 1985 put together
the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, along with
Jeff Clayton and drummer
Jeff Hamilton.
Clayton's charts for the big band, which are sometimes a little reminiscent of
Thad Jones, give it its own musical personality.
John Clayton has also worked extensively as a freelance bassist and arranger. ~ Scott Yanow