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Gerald Clayton
Gerald was born on May 11, 1984 in Utrecht, The Netherlands and moved to the United States at a young age. He graduated from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) in the summer of 2002 and received a Bachelor's of Music from the Jazz Studies program at USC in the Fall of 2006.
Gerald grew up in a musical family (his father is bassist/composer John Clayton and his uncle saxophonist Jeff Clayton) and was exposed to a variety of musical styles from a very young age. He studied classical piano with Mrs. Linda Buck and jazz piano and composition with Shelly Berg, Kenny Barron and Billy Childs.
Gerald was the winner of the 2001 Music Center Spotlight Awards and received the 'Outstanding Soloist' Award during the Monterey High School Jazz Competition in 2001 and 2002. He was also selected for the Grammy High School Big Band, comprised of high school students from the entire United States. Gerald was presented with the "level 1" award by the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts (NFAA) in January of 2002. In the summer of 2002, he was named Presidential Scholar in the Arts and was asked to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. In June of 2002, Gerald performed at Steinway Hall in New York and was presented with a scholarship award by the Music for Youth Foundation. In September of 2002, Gerald received the Shelley Manne Award for emerging young artists from the Los Angeles Jazz Society. In September of 2006, Gerald received Second Place in the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute Jazz Piano Competition.
Despite his young age, Gerald has already performed extensively with numerous outstanding musicians in a wide variety of venues. Notable engagements include the performance of a composition for piano and orchestra with the Henry Mancini Orchestra at Royce Hall (August 2002) and Disney Hall (May 2006). The piece was composed by his father and commissioned by the Henry Mancini Institute for that purpose. In the spring of 2005, Gerald was asked to join pianists Benny Green, Mulgrew Miller and Kenny Barron for a series of duo concerts in Europe. He also performed with trumpeter Clark Terry in Switzerland later that year.
~~ TWO SHADE ~~ 2009 ~~
Rising star of postbop piano and a composer already making waves at the age of 25, Dutch born Gerald Clayton makes his thrilling debut for Emarcy with a set of sparkling originals that showcase both his command of the piano as well as his luminous mix of melody and improvisation. A quarter of the age of Jazz, Gerald Clayton stakes his claim in the history and the present of this vital music with the following words, "Tradition and innovation can peacefully coexist." In libraries and on drawing boards around the country this statement might be true, but with Gerald behind the piano this coexistence is anything but peaceful.
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Gerald Clayton, l'Oumigmag, Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol, Triology & more
by Marek J. Śmietański
Our 109th episode features new releases from North American artists. That's a rather traditional set with many inspirations from the '50s and '60s. It's nice to hear how young musicians treat tradition with respect, while also introducing a lot of fresh, creative ideas. Most of the material comes from the US, with a few Canadian albums and some roots from Netherlands, China and Turkey (homelands of two artists living in the US). And by the way, there will be small ...
Continue ReadingPitch, Rhythm and Consciousness, Fini Bearman, Gerald Clayton, Shamek Farra
by Cheryl K.
During this week's two-hour program of Jazz and improvised music, new releases from the improvisational ensemble Pitch, Rhythm and Consciousness; saxophonists David Murray and Kamasi Washington; singer-songwriter Fini Bearman; pianist Gerald Clayton; guitarist Roman Pilon; and from the first batch of resurrected releases from Strata-East, First Impressions by saxophonist Shamek Farrah. Playlist Joe Henderson “Canyon Lady" from Canyon Lady (Milestone) 10:10 Phil Bancroft “Testimony Part 5" from Testimony (Myriad Streams) 7:05 Steve Holt's Jazz Impact Quintet “The Lion's ...
Continue ReadingGerald Clayton plus music from Roxana Amed, Phil Haynes as well as Nnenna Freelon
by Hobart Taylor
A new Blue Note release from Pianist Gerald Clayton, a soulfully deep ballad from Nneena Freelon, rediscovering Strata East artist Shamek Farrah and celebrating the compositional acumen of Ingrid Laubrock. Playlist Ingrid Laubrock Composer Fay Victor Mariel Roberts “Koan 43" from Purposing The Air (Pyroclastic) 0:00 Trilogy “Luna" from The Slow Road (Cellar) 3:15 Tropos “ Between the Times" from Switches (Self Produced) 12:42 Host Speaks 20:48 Gerald Clayton “Just Above" from Ones and Twos (Blue Note) 23:13 ...
Continue ReadingSimon Moullier: Elements of Light
by Angelo Leonardi
Nel quinto disco da leader, il vibrafonista francese--da tempo residente negli Stati Uniti--torna a proporre molte sue composizioni, come aveva fatto in Spirit Song, il debutto del 2020. Per l'occasione Simon Moullier sostituisce anche l'organico, confermando solo Jongkuk Kim, l'emergente batterista coreano che lo segue dall'album d'esordio. Il nuovo quartetto comprende il talentuoso giovane pianista Lex Korten (allievo di Benny Green e visto di recente con Tyshawn Sorey, Jaleel Shaw, Melissa Aldana) e il bassista Rick Rosato, (già ...
Continue ReadingOut Of/Into: Motion I
by Mike Jurkovic
Most supergroups happen and barely dent the dust. Despite those odds, one or two happen for a reason. That reason is Motion I by Out Of/Into. Formerly known as The Blue Note Quintet--pianist Gerald Clayton, alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, vibraphonist Joel Ross, drummer Kendrick Scott, and bassist Matt Brewer--hijack the lead track “Ofafrii" with a brazen romp of everything tuneful and tasty. Wilkins and Ross virtually ground the driving ethic while power-gliding above the whole enterprise. It is a hellion ride, considering ...
Continue ReadingGerald Clayton-Elena Pinderhughes Duo at Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society
by Roy Strassman
Gerald Clayton-Elena Pinderhughes Duo Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society Live performance Half Moon Bay Sunday, April 28, 2024 It is always a rewarding experience to attend a show at Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society in Half Moon Bay near San Francisco, both for the music and the beachfront location. As usual, president and artistic director Barbara Riching was the hostess and emcee, and the show, featuring Gerald Clayton and Elena Pinderhughes, filled the 200-seat ...
Continue ReadingGerald Clayton at Trinity University
by Katchie Cartwright
Gerald Clayton Trinity University / Ruth Taylor Hall San Antonio, TX November 7, 2023 Trinity University's Ruth Taylor Hall, with its intimate seating and warm wood-paneled acoustics, is a welcoming spot for a solo piano concert. Addressing the audience as he entered the stage, Gerald Clayton remarked on the geniality of the vibe. He was going try to catch some waves, he said, speaking metaphorically and as an ardent California surfer. Beginning quietly, almost tentatively, ...
Continue ReadingColumbus Jazz Orchestra Opens 2012-13 Swingin' With The CJO Season With Come Together: From Gershwin To The Beatles Featuring Gerald Clayton
Source:
Scott Vezdos
Columbus, OH – Under the direction of world-renowned band leader and trumpet virtuoso Byron Stripling, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, now in its 40th year, continues to break new ground while honoring the rich heritage of America's classical music – jazz. The Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) kicks off the 2012-13 Swingin' with the CJO season with “Come Together: From Gershwin to the Beatles" (October 25-28 at the Southern Theatre). Join the CJO for a magical mystery tour of the ...
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Gerald Clayton - Bond, the Paris Sessions (2011)
Source:
Something Else!
Like Joshua Redman, Ravi Coltrane, Anthony Wilson and all those Marsalis brothers, Gerald Clayton followed in his father's footsteps to become an accomplished jazz musician in his own right. The son of bassist John Clayton and nephew of saxophonist Jeff Clayton, Gerald studied classical piano from the age of 6 all through high school before enrolling at jazz studies at the University of Southern California. While there, he's studied under Billy Childs, Kenny Barron and Shelly Berg. He has gotten ...
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Hot Young Pianist Gerald Clayton Born into Jazz Experience
Source:
JazzStage.net
Many of today's top jazz artists adopted the music after being turned on by a great album, concert, or learning experience. Pianist Gerald Clayton was born into it. His father, bassist and arranger John Clayton, played in the Count Basie Orchestra before co-founding the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra “I was exposed to the lifestyle behind the music," says Clayton. “I saw a lot of sound checks and rehearsals and grown men showing each other so much love, just for the music."At ...
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Grammy Nominee Gerald Clayton and His Trio Coming to the Exodus to Jazz Stage February 12th
Source:
Jazz@Rochester
Grammy nominee Gerald Clayton comes to Rochester to play a concert in the Exodus to Jazz series with his Trio of bassist Joe Sanders and drummer Justin Brown. The Trio will take the stage at 8:00 pm on February 12th at ETJ's new digs, the Reformation Lutheran Church on Chestnut in downtown Rochester, one of the great venues during the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival. Born in the Netherlands in 1984, Clayton grew up mostly in Los Angeles in a ...
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13th Annual Spirit of Jazz Concert Series Hosted by Oris Watches and WBGO - Jazz 88.3 FM Celebrates the Pianists
Source:
OUTHOUSE pr
ORIS Watches and Tourneau, the worlds largest watch store, in conjunction with WBGO - Jazz 88.3 FM, are paying homage to jazz legends and bringing some of the greatest jazz acts to busy midtown Manhattan for the 13th consecutive year.
Gerald Clayton Trio will perform a free, lunchtime concert highlighting the music of great jazz pianists such as Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Erroll Garner and Thelonious Monk.
A retrospective exhibit accompanies the live music concert that showcases rare and never-before-seen ...
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Gerald Clayton Supposes Tradition and Innovation Can Peacefully Exist
Source:
JamaicaMusic Offbeat
At one-forth the age of jazz, New York based jazz pianist Gerald Clayton stakes his claim in the history and the present of jazz. “Tradition and innovation can peacefully exist", supposes the son of famous bassist John Clayton. However, his biography states, 'with Gerald behind the piano this coexistence anything but peaceful.' 'His dynamic and award-winning sound has been praised in print by the Jazz Times and Los Angeles Times. The New York Times has saluted his ...
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Gerald Clayton Trio @ Village Vanguard
Source:
Lubricity
Blizzard be damned! Tonight, I'll be at the Village Vanguard to help put together WBGOs live broadcast of the Gerald Clayton Trio featuring Joe Sanders on bass and Justin Brown on drums at 9 pm . If you're snowed in (or just far away) you can check it out on our live audio/video stream and chat about the performance with yours truly, as well as Josh Jackson and Patrick Jarenwattananon.
I have raved about Clayton before, and I'm excited to ...
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Live Webcast Tonight: Gerald Clayton Trio at the Village Vanguard
Source:
Michael Ricci
Gerald Clayton met his bandmates in the Grammy Jazz Ensembles, a select group of all-star high-school musicians brought together to perform during the lead-up to the Grammy Awards. Last year, Clayton himself was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Improvised Jazz Solo ("All of You"), when Two-Shade was but a fan-funded independent recording. He didn't win, but he'll likely be back: He's presenting his own music this week at the Vanguard, which is a pretty high honor ...
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Gerald Clayton: Touring in Support of Two Shade
Source:
All About Jazz
Gerald Clayton will be touring in support of his debut album, “Two Shade", and bringing his trio into Europe for a couple of select dates. After being released on ArtistShare on July 1st, “Two Shade" has been getting tremendous feedback from fans and critics alike. The New York Times calls Gerald “musician of unusual polish and self-assurance", and “Two Shade" was recently put on the top 10 “Must Have" albums by Audiophiliac. The trio will be making stops in Switzerland, ...
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Gerald Clayton - Two Shade Voted Must Have CD of 2009
Source:
All About Jazz
Gerald Clayton's debut album was released on ArtistShare on July 1st. It has already been getting rave reviews by everyone from the New York Times to jazz.com. Recently, it was voted in the Top 10 Must Have CD's by the Audiophiliac, a part of C-Net. Two Shade made the list along with other acts like Elvis Costello and John Mellencamp.
Steve Guttenburg of the Audiophiliac had this to say about Two Shade:
'Clayton's nimble piano trio delivers hard-driving pieces and ...
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Moments With You
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Gerald Clayton
Instrument: Piano
Management: Music Works International
