Buck Clayton (born Wilbur Dorsey Clayton in Parsons,
Kansas on November 12, 1911-died in New York City on December 8, 1991) was an
American jazz trumpet player, fondly remembered for being a leading member of
Count Basie’s 'Old Testament' orchestra and leader of mainstream orientated jam
session recordings in the 1950s. His principal influence was Louis Armstrong.
Buck Clayton first rose to national fame as the lead
soloist with the first great Count Basie band that roared out of Kansas City in
late fall, 1936. Ironically, while Clayton’s understated, bell-like sound is
associated with the hard swinging Kansas City style, he actually spent little
time in Kansas City. By the time he arrived at the famed Reno Club, a small
dive on 12th Street, Clayton had already led a colourful career as a band
leader, ranging from Los Angeles to Shanghai.
Born in Parsons, Kansas, Clayton grew up in a musical
family. Clayton’s father, a minister, taught him the basics of music. Picking
up the trumpet as a teenager, Clayton performed with the church band, featuring
his mother on organ. He first heard the clarion call of jazz during a stopover
by the George E. Lee band in Parsons. After high school, Clayton followed his
muse to California, where he began his professional career.
In Los Angeles, Clayton joined Charlie Echols' 14-piece
band, playing taxi dances and ballrooms. Clayton and other band members soon
left Echols to join forces with Broadway producer Earl Dancer and work in
movies. When Dancer, a chronic gambler, disappeared with the payroll, Clayton
took over leadership of the group. Just 23 years old, Clayton led his new band
to China.
In 1934, the Clayton band opened at the palatial
Canidrome Ballroom in Shanghai, China, becoming one of the first bands to play
the Orient. Madame Chiang Kai- Shek and other celebrities flocked to the
Canidrome nightly to sway to a potent mixture of hot jazz and classical music
performed by the band, decked out in tails.
The Clayton band spent the next two years at the
Canidrome, with ashort jaunt to Japan. A melee with a former Marine that
turned the dance floor into a roiling free-for-all cost Clayton the job at the
Canidrome. Unable to find steady work in Shanghai, Clayton and what remained of
the band returned to the United States.
Back in the Los Angeles, Clayton reformed the big band
and played several seasons at Sebastian’s Cotton Club and Club Araby. In the
summer of 1936, Clayton left for New York to join Willie Bryant’s band at the
original Cotton Club. On his way east, Clayton stopped off in Kansas City and
joined the Basie Band at the Reno Club, replacing Hot Lips Page as star
soloist. Clayton’s solo excellence, arrangements and compositions bolstered the
national rise of the Basie band. Clayton remained with the Basie band until he
was drafted in 1943.
After his honourable discharge in 1946 he prepared
arrangements for Count Basie, Benny Goodman and Harry James and became a member
of Norman Granz’s 'Jazz at the Philharmonic' package, appearing in April in a
concert with Young, Coleman Hawkins and
Charlie Parker, and in October participated in JATPs first national tour of the United States. He also recorded at this time for the H.R.S. label. In 1947 he was back in New York, and had a residency at the Café Society, Downtown, and the following year had a reunion with Jimmy Rushing, his fellow Basie alumnus, at the Savoy Ballroom. Clayton and Rushing worked together occasionally into the 1960s.
Charlie Parker, and in October participated in JATPs first national tour of the United States. He also recorded at this time for the H.R.S. label. In 1947 he was back in New York, and had a residency at the Café Society, Downtown, and the following year had a reunion with Jimmy Rushing, his fellow Basie alumnus, at the Savoy Ballroom. Clayton and Rushing worked together occasionally into the 1960s.
From September 1949 Clayton was in Europe for nine
months, leading his own band in France. Clayton recorded intermittently over
the next few years for the French Vogue label, under his own name, that of
clarinetist Mezz Mezzrow and for one session, with pianist Earl Hines. In 1953,
he was again
in Europe, touring with Mezzrow; in Italy, the group was joined by Frank Sinatra.
in Europe, touring with Mezzrow; in Italy, the group was joined by Frank Sinatra.
Sidelined by lip surgery in 1967, Clayton focused on
composing and arranging for other groups. He returned to playing in the early
1970s and toured internationally with his own group. When his lip gave out for
good in the late 1970s, Clayton returned to directing, composing and arranging,
while teaching at Hunter College in New York.
In 1987, Clayton formed a big band to perform his compositions. Clayton continued creating and leading his “Swinging Dream Band” until his death in 1991.
In 1987, Clayton formed a big band to perform his compositions. Clayton continued creating and leading his “Swinging Dream Band” until his death in 1991.
(Info from All about jazz.com & Wikipedia)
3 comments:
For “The Chronological Classics: Buck Clayton 1945-1947” go here:
https://www.upload.ee/files/9183724/Clayton_45-47.rar.html
1. I'm In The Mood For Love
2. Sugar Hips
3. Diga Diga Doo
4. Love Me Or Leave Me
5. We're In The Money
6. B.C. Blues
7. Why Do I Love You
8. All My Life
9. Groovin' With J.C.
10. What's The Use?
11. Dawn Dance
12. Well-A-Poppin'
13. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
14. It's Dizzy
15. Basie's Morning Bluesicale
16. Saragota Special
17. Sentimental Summer
18. Harlem Cradle Song
19. My Good Man Sam
20. I Want A Little Girl
21. Jazz Band
22. Jazz Band
For “Buck Clayton And Friends – Jazz In Paris (1966)” go here:
https://yadi.sk/d/089tuBpMZArX2
01. Groovy Sunday
02. I can't think
03. Juggi buggi
04. Georgia on my mind
05. Boo boo
06. Just you, just me
07. One for Bonnie
08. Blue boy
09. Pat's party
10. Rosetta
11. These foolish things
Buck Clayton - Trumpet
Mickey Baker - Guitar
Wallace Bishop - Drums
Roland Lobligeois - Double Bass
Hal Singer - Sax (Tenor)
thank you very much
Great to find “Buck Clayton And Friends – Jazz In Paris (1966)” link still working three years later!
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