Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
| Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra | |
|---|---|
|
CHJO in Rotterdam, The Netherlands | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Labels | Lake Street Records, Qwest, Fable/Lightyear, MCG Jazz, Capri |
| Website |
www |
| Members |
John Clayton Jeff Hamilton Jeff Clayton Keith Fiddmont Rickey Woodard Charles Ownen Lee Callet Bijon Watson Sal Cracciolo Snooky Young Clay Jenkins Gilbert Castellanos Ira Nepus George Bohanon Ryan Porter Maurice Spears Tamir Hendelman Christoph Luty Kye Palmer |
| Past members | Randy Napoleon |
John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, and Jeff Clayton (John's brother) brought together a group of Los Angeles-based musicians in 1985 and formed the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (CHJO). Reviewers and fans loved the big band, and the orchestra's first recording, Groove Shop (Capri), earned a Grammy Award nomination. CD Review named it one of the best recordings of 1990. David Badham of Jazz Journal International said "This is one of the finest modern big band issues I've heard." The orchestra has continued to earn critical acclaim.
The most recent CHJO CD is The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra: Live at MCG. The album was recorded during a four-night series of performances in Pittsburgh, PA at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild.
Personnel
For the recording of Live At MCG
- John Clayton—conductor, bass
- Jeff Clayton—lead alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, alto flute, flute
- Jeff Hamilton—drums
- Keith Fiddmont—alto saxophone, clarinet
- Rickey Woodard—tenor saxophone, clarinet
- Charles Owens—tenor saxophone
- Lee Callet—baritone saxophone, bass clarinet
- Bijon Watson—lead trumpet
- Sal Cracciolo—trumpet
- James Ford III—trumpet
- Snooky Young—trumpet
- Clay Jenkins—trumpet
- Gilbert Castellanos—trumpet
- Ira Nepus—lead trombone
- George Bohanon—trombone
- Ryan Porter—trombone
- Maurice Spears—bass trombone
- Tamir Hendelman—piano
- Randy Napoleon—guitar
- Christoph Luty—bass
For the recording of The L.A. Treasures Project
- John Clayton— conductor, bass
- Jeff Clayton—lead alto saxophone
- Jeff Hamilton—drums
- Keith Fiddmont—alto saxophone
- Rickey Woodard—tenor saxophone
- Charles Owens—tenor saxophone
- Lee Callet—baritone saxophone
- Bijon Watson—lead trumpet
- James Ford III—trumpet
- Jamie Hovorka—trumpet
- Brian Swartz—trumpet
- Gilbert Castellanos—trumpet
- Ira Nepus—Lead trombone
- George Bohanon—trombone
- Ryan Porter—trombone
- Maurice Spears— bass trombone
- Tamir Hendelman—piano
- Graham Dechter—guitar
- Christoph Luty—bass
The CHJO has backed Rosemary Clooney, Ernestine Anderson, Milt Jackson, Diana Krall, John Pizzarelli, Charles Aznavour, Trijntje Oosterhuis, Ernie Andrews, Barbara Morrison and others, and most of the musicians in the orchestra, including the Clayton Brothers and Hamilton, have appeared on numerous solo releases. Gerald Clayton, son of John Clayton, has performed and toured with the group as pianist. The following discography covers only those albums done by the CHJO.
Discography
- The L.A. Treasures Project: Live At Alvas Showroom – Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (Capri Records, 2014) – with guests: Ernie Andrews, Barbara Morrison
- Sundays In New York – Trijntje Oosterhuis with The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (Blue Note/EMI Records, 2011)
- Charles Aznavour & The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (Capitol Jazz/EMI Records, 2009)
- Dear Mr. Sinatra – John Pizzarelli with The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (Telarc Records, 2006)
- Christmas Songs – Diana Krall featuring The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (Verve/UMe Records, 2005)
- Live At MCG – Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (MCG Jazz Records, 2004)
- Shout Me Out! – Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (Fable/Lightyear Records/WEA, 2000)
- Explosive! – Milt Jackson Meets The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (Qwest/WB Records, 1999)
- Absolutely! – Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (Lake Street Records, 1994)
- Heart And Soul – Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (Capri Records, 1991)
- Boogie Down – Ernestine Anderson with The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (Concord Jazz Records, 1990)
- Groove Shop – Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (Capri Records, 1989) -note: Grammy award nominee