Jazz at Centrum

Grammy Congratulations to John Clayton and Paquito D'Rivera

Last night was a strong night for jazz at the Grammys. Herbie Hancock took honors for Album of the Year, and two Jazz Port Townsend artists took home statues as well.

Congratulations to artistic director John Clayton, who won a Grammy for Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s): "I'm Gonna Live Till I Die," John Clayton, arranger (Queen Latifah).

...and kudos to Paquito D'Rivera, whose quintet scored a Grammy for Latin Jazz Album: 'Funk Tango.'

Diana Krall with John Clayton

[Diana Krall playing piano with John Clayton on bass]

Diana Krall, who as a youth attended Jazz Port Townsend workshops, is joined here on the bass by John Clayton, Jazz Port Townsend's Artistic Director.

Jazz P.T. will be happening in 2008 the week of July 20-27. Our faculty list is nearly complete (see below), and we'll be taking workshop registrations soon.

Can't wait for a taste of some Port Townsend jazz? Centrum's next jazz event will be a special November 10 performance in choro, a Brazilian cousin of jazz noted for a rich improvisational style soaked in both African and European traditions. For Tickets, call 360.385.3102, x117 or buy tickets on our secure online server.

Everybody's Got Something To Say (A True Story)

It is known that I had a close relationship with Ray Brown.  One of the lessons I learned from him came out of a personally embarrassing experience.

As a teen, the more I learned about Ray Brown, the more I wanted to do what he did. It was probably that, more than being "like" him.  I wanted to play bass, travel with Oscar Peterson, play on movie soundtracks and television shows--all of it.  He could be who he was, but I just wanted to be like him.  On top of his lifestyle, I truly love/loved his music.

This whole "need to belong and be accepted" thing that takes over your life as a teen surfaced when Ray and I were talking one day.

Ray asked me,

"Did you go hear the bass player from our class that we were talking about the other day?"
"Yes, I did."
"How did he sound?"
"He sounded okay, I guess.  His groove was a little funny, the intonation wasn't really good, solos were a bit weak, too."
"Hmm.  Well, how was the piano player? I remember he's blind."
"The piano player was alright--about as good as a blind piano player can be."

Ray looked at me, eyes VERY wide, and he said,

"Have you ever heard of Art Tatum?"
"No, I don't think so."
"You go out and get some Art Tatum records.  We'll talk after that."

I did and we did.  Of course, I heard some of the most miraculous piano playing I had ever heard on those recordings.  It wasn't just the technique, it was the content.  Art Tatum was a "baaaad Motor Scooter," as we like to say on the street.

Ray's lesson concluded with,

"We musicians can be our own worst enemies, if we're not careful.  We need to support each other.  With all of the piano playing that Art Tatum could do, he would get in a taxi and ride across town to hear a piano player play blues with one finger.  EVERYBODY has something to say in music.  It's important for us to support each other in this music business."

Thank you, Ray Brown.
Amen.

Having Serious Fun With Jazz

Diana Krall reminds Jeff Hamilton and myself that when she was a teenager, we used to drum into her (egad--the unintended puns are starting already) the importance of keeping in sight that we "get" to do this. There are so many people who don't have the opportunity to express themselves with this music. As jazz lovers, we all love to listen to it. As jazz artists, we have another kind of experience, another component that keeps us marching.

A vital part of the experience is realizing that the fun that we have is quite serious. It's still Fun. We can laugh, get silly, express ourselves however we want, but it's as much serious as it is fun. In order to perform on a high level, there's no way around learning scales, chords, arpeggios, repertoire and transcribing. This has to  be done in healthy balance with performances, jamming, playing in various ensembles, etc. It's all about the balancing act of knowing when to have enough of all of the necessary ingredients.

I'm reminded of this Serious Fun bit because I just finished some weeks with Diana and Jeff, Anthony Wilson and, for nearly a week in  Las Vegas, with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. As serious as I was, I couldn't stop smiling.  --John Clayton. www.johnclaytonjazz.com

Artistic Director John Clayton

Centrum is honored to have John Clayton as our Artistic Director for Jazz. John was Artistic Director of Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl from 1999–2001. He has written, performed, and arranged music for Diana Krall, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Natalie Cole, Milt Jackson, Nancy Wilson, Quincy Jones, George Benson, Dr. John, and others. He co-leads the Clayton Brothers Quintet with his brother, saxophonist Jeff Clayton, and the brothers lead the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra with drummer Jeff Hamilton. He is Artistic Director of the Vail Jazz Workshop and teaches at USC.