John Clayton is a ten-time Grammy© nominated, bassist/composer/educator whose talents are consistently requested in the jazz industry. In 2008, he received a Grammy © award for his arrangement of “I’m Going to Live Til I Die,” written for Queen Latifah.

“I’m flattered with any awards or recognition,” Clayton says, “but the real thrill comes from writing and hearing musicians breathe life into what I create.” He goes on, “When composing or arranging for the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, I am a disciple of Duke Ellington, Thad Jones, Oliver Nelson, Quincy Jones and Gil Evans, to name just a few. I write for the individual artist, not for the instrument.”

Clayton’s serious study of the double bass began at age 16 when he studied with famed bassist, Ray Brown. At age 19, John was the bassist for Henry Mancini’s television series “The Mancini Generation”. Later he completed his studies at Indiana University in 1975, graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Double Bass. Touring with Monty Alexander and the Count Basie Orchestra followed. Four years later, he held the principal bass position in the Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra for five years.

John has written and arranged music, often for the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, featuring Diana Krall, McCoy Tyner, Milt Jackson, Quincy Jones, Dr. John, Charles Aznavour, Dee Dee Bridgewater (including her Grammy award winning CD “Dear Ella,” for which John received a Grammy nomination), Natalie Cole (another Grammy nomination), Nancy Wilson, George Benson, Regina Carter and many others.

He has been commissioned by many ensembles, including Cleveland City Music Orchestra, the WDR Big Band, the Amsterdam Philharmonic, the American Jazz Philharmonic, The Pittsburgh Pops, The Iceland Symphony, The Metropole Orchestra, The Carnegie Hall Big Band, and The Tri C Jazz Festival.

John Clayton served as the Artistic Director of Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl from 1999 through 2001.

He is no stranger to platinum record status having been awarded one for his stirring arrangement of “The Star-Spangled Banner” performed by Whitney Houston during the Super Bowl in 1990. John is also the past president of the International Society of Bassists and served as President of the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers for five years.

Education is part of John’s lifeblood. He has taught at the Royal Dutch Conservatory in The Hague, Holland, UCLA, Cal State Long Beach and for 21 years at the University of Southern California.

John also served as the Artistic Director for the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival.

As founder and Artistic Director of the Vail Jazz Workshop, 12 top level high school students from across the nation are chosen and participate in an intensive week of learning to play jazz.

Recently retired from the role, John served as the Director of Jazz for Centrum, Port Townsend’s Jazz Camp for 20 years.

The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra has existed 40 years and was founded by its co-leaders, John, drummer Jeff Hamilton and recently deceased saxophonist Jeff Clayton, John’s brother. The CHJO has been named the Best Big Band in America by both DownBeat Magazine and JazzTimes Magazine.

To sum up John Clayton’s unique expertise: John Clayton does it all. He is equally comfortable in jazz and classical music, and hits the mark, whether it is as a composer, arranger, conductor, or teacher, in addition to his magnificence on his bass.

“I’ve been guided by a village of musicians who helped me understand the humility that goes along with playing music at the highest level you can. Ray Brown used to tell me to ‘Learn how to play the bass!!’ Just take care of the music and it will take care of you.”

— John Clayton

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