Artistic Director John Clayton

(John Clayton works with a student at Jazz Port Townsend 2011.  Photo by Jim Levitt)

Grammy nominated bassist/composer/conductor John Clayton has written and arranged music for Diana Krall, DeeDee Bridgewater, Natalie Cole, Milt Jackson, Nancy Wilson, McCoy Tyner, Quincy Jones, George Benson, Dr. John, Regina Carter and many others.

John’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." In 1975 he completed his studies at Indiana University, graduating with a bachelor of music in double bass. Touring with Monty Alexander and the Count Basie Orchestra followed.

John has been commissioned by many ensembles including the Northwest Chamber Orchestra, the American Jazz Philharmonic, The Iceland Symphony, The Metropole Orchestra, The Carnegie Hall Big Band, The Richmond Symphony, the WDR Orchestra, and the Amsterdam Philharmonic. John was awarded a platinum record for his stirring arrangement of "The Star-Spangled Banner," performed by Whitney Houston during the Super Bowl in 1990.

John has won numerous awards such as the Golden Feather Award, and the Los Angeles Jazz Society's Composer/Arranger award.  Most recently, John won a Grammy for his arrangements on Queen Latifah's, Trav'lin' Light.  John has served as the musical director of several jazz festivals including the Sarasota Jazz Festival, the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival, the Santa Fe Jazz Party, and the Vail Jazz Workshop.

John is a co-founder of the Grammy-nominated Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, which is co-led by John, his brother, saxophonist, Jeff Clayton, and drummer, Jeff Hamilton. Also, John and his brother Jeff co-lead the Clayton Brothers Quintet, who have been nominated for two Grammy awards.

John is a passionate jazz educator who shares his artistry and wisdom at workshops and music clinics around the world.

Visit www.johnclaytonjazz.com.

(John Clayton works with a student at Jazz Port Townsend 2011.  Photo by Jim Levitt)

Grammy nominated bassist/composer/conductor John Clayton has written and arranged music for Diana Krall, DeeDee Bridgewater, Natalie Cole, Milt Jackson, Nancy Wilson, McCoy Tyner, Quincy Jones, George Benson, Dr. John, Regina Carter and many others.

John’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." In 1975 he completed his studies at Indiana University, graduating with a bachelor of music in double bass. Touring with Monty Alexander and the Count Basie Orchestra followed.

John has been commissioned by many ensembles including the Northwest Chamber Orchestra, the American Jazz Philharmonic, The Iceland Symphony, The Metropole Orchestra, The Carnegie Hall Big Band, The Richmond Symphony, the WDR Orchestra, and the Amsterdam Philharmonic. John was awarded a platinum record for his stirring arrangement of "The Star-Spangled Banner," performed by Whitney Houston during the Super Bowl in 1990.

John has won numerous awards such as the Golden Feather Award, and the Los Angeles Jazz Society's Composer/Arranger award.  Most recently, John won a Grammy for his arrangements on Queen Latifah's, Trav'lin' Light.  John has served as the musical director of several jazz festivals including the Sarasota Jazz Festival, the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival, the Santa Fe Jazz Party, and the Vail Jazz Workshop.

John is a co-founder of the Grammy-nominated Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, which is co-led by John, his brother, saxophonist, Jeff Clayton, and drummer, Jeff Hamilton. Also, John and his brother Jeff co-lead the Clayton Brothers Quintet, who have been nominated for two Grammy awards.

John is a passionate jazz educator who shares his artistry and wisdom at workshops and music clinics around the world.

Visit www.johnclaytonjazz.com.