Jeff Clayton

For those of a similar name, see Geoffrey Clayton (disambiguation).

Jeff Clayton
Clayton in 1989
Background information
Born(1954-02-16)February 16, 1954
DiedDecember 16, 2020(2020-12-16) (aged 66)
GenresJazz
OccupationMusician
Instruments
Years activemid-1970s–2020
Formerly of

Jeff Clayton (February 16, 1954 – December 16, 2020) was an American jazz alto saxophonist and flautist.

Career

Clayton studied oboe at California State University before dropping out to undertake a tour with Stevie Wonder.[1] Following this, he recorded with Gladys Knight, Kenny Rogers, Michael Jackson, Patti LaBelle, and Madonna.[1] With his brother John Clayton he founded The Clayton Brothers, in 1977, and later formed The Clayton–Hamilton Jazz Orchestra with drummer Jeff Hamilton.[1]

He worked with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Ella Fitzgerald, Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton, Ethan Smith, and Lena Horne, and played in the Count Basie Orchestra while under the leadership of Thad Jones.[1] From 1989 to 1991, he was a member of the Philip Morris Superband.[1] He also toured with Gene Harris, Dianne Reeves, Joe Cocker, B. B. King, and Ray Charles.

Clayton died on December 16, 2020, after suffering from kidney cancer.[2] He was 66 years old.

Awards and recognition

In December 2009, the album Brother to Brother by The Clayton Brothers received a Grammy Award nomination in the Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group category.

Discography

With The Clayton–Hamilton Jazz Orchestra

  • Boogie-Down (1989), with Ernestine Anderson
  • Groove Shop (1989)
  • Heart and Soul (1991)
  • Absolutely (1995)
  • Explosive! (1999), with Milt Jackson
  • Christmas Songs (2005), with Diana Krall
  • Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra: Live at MCG (2005)

With The Clayton Brothers

  • Music (1991)
  • Expressions (1997)
  • Siblingity (2000)
  • Back in the Swing of Things (2005)

With others

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 47. ISBN 0-85112-733-9.
  2. ^ West, Michael J. (December 18, 2020). "Jeff Clayton 1955–2020". JazzTimes. Retrieved July 1, 2021.

Further reading

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