Home » Jazz Articles » Gerald Clayton
Jazz Articles about Gerald Clayton
Gerald Clayton: Tributary Tales
by Niccolò Lucarelli
"Se devi chiedere cos'è il jazz, non otterrai mai la risposta." Parole di chi la sapeva lunga in materia, ovvero Louis Armstrong. Parole che, pur con la loro aura di paradosso, racchiudono una verità, stante l'affascinante capacità del jazz di inglobare una pluralità d'influenze, stati d'animo, colori, suoni, da renderne difficile un'esatta definizione. È proprio questa caleidoscopicità l'essenza del nuovo album del pianista -olandese di nascita ma cresciuto a Los Angeles -, Gerald Clayton, che conferma la sua ...
Continue ReadingJackie Ryan: Listen Here
by C. Michael Bailey
There exists an intersection point in a vocal recording where four elements coalesce in excellence to produce a superb recording: the vocal, instrumental, material and sonic. Singer Jackie Ryan's Listen Here exists on this very point. AAJ critic Dan Bilawsky addressed the first two elements in his thoughtful review of Listen Here, calling Ryan, “a force of nature" and her instrumental support, “ damn good," observations easily echoed here and not improved upon. The latter pair of elements deserve a ...
Continue ReadingJackie Ryan with John Clayton & Friends: Listen Here
by Nicholas F. Mondello
With Listen Here, vocalist Jackie Ryan offers a diverse and delectable array of Great American Songbook and jazz classics, well-known but not regularly-recorded older hits, and superb original selections. Supported by Grammy Award-winning bassist John Clayton and most able friends (including Clayton's son, pianist Gerald, a three-time Grammy nominee), the overall effort soars. It's a tour de force of talent and taste.Ryan's voice is full, highly resonant and eminently inviting. It is also one of subtle shadings. Her ...
Continue ReadingJackie Ryan: Listen Here
by Dan Bilawsky
Jackie Ryan isn't simply a singer; she's a force of nature. Her voice possesses a weighty power, yet soars with grace and ease. Her ability to transmute into different characters and forms, as dictated by the song, lyrics and style, makes her one in a million and she's managed to parlay that unique gift into project after successful project with some of the best in the business backing her up. This date is no exception. Ryan recruited ...
Continue ReadingGerald Clayton Trio: Cologne, Germany, May 15, 2011
by Phillip Woolever
Gerald Clayton Trio Altes Pfandhaus Cologne, Germany May 15, 2011 The heralded, emerging Gerald Clayton and his current crew opened their European tour on a beautiful night in a beautiful, jazz specific venue, splitting well-spent time between Bond :The Paris Sessions (Emarcy, 2011), some finely retouched classics, and the pianist's Grammy-nominated Two Shade (Emarcy, 2009). Altes Pfandhaus is an intimate, “in the round" type venue with excellent sightlines. The lucky swarm ...
Continue ReadingMatt Slocum: Portraits
by AAJ Italy Staff
Otto composizioni originali sotto il segno del classico trio pianoforte-basso-batteria allargato ad uno o più sax. È l'impalcatura del buon esordio discografico di Matt Slocum, che non passerà inosservato nell'attuale panorama jazzistico. Vi si riscontra un apprezzabile gioco di dinamiche all'interno delle varie composizioni, che traggono altresì forza nella concezione ritmica aperta e circolare del leader, più che promettente allievo di Peter Erskine. Oltre che per la scelta felice dei compagni di viaggio, la sua proposta si rivela valida ed ...
Continue ReadingGerald Clayton: Two-Shade
by Ken Dryden
Gerald Clayton isn't like the average young jazz musician. He was immersed in music studies for a long time (his teachers include Kenny Barron, Billy Childs and Shelly Berg), while gaining experience playing duo piano concerts with Barron, Benny Green and Mulgrew Miller and also performing as a sideman with the legendary Clark Terry. If that's not enough, he has recorded more than once with the Clayton Brothers (co-led by father John and uncle Jeff) and contributed as pianist and ...
Continue Reading
