Buck Clayton

Buck Clayton (born Wilbur Dorsey Clayton in Parsons, Kansas on November 12, 1911-died in New York City on December 8, 1991) was a American jazz trumpet player, fondly remembered for being a leading member of Count Basie’s 'Old Testmant' orchestra and leader of mainstream orientated jam session recordings in the 1950s. His principal influence was

Early Career

Clayton’s father was an amateur musician associated with the families local church, who was responsible for teaching his son to play the piano from the age of six. From the age of seventeen, Clayton learnt the trumpet, and was taught by Bob Russell, a member of George E. Lee’s band. In his early twenties he was based in California, and was briefly a member of Duke Ellington’s Orchestra and worked with other leaders. Clayton was also taught at this time by trumpeter Mutt Carey, who later emerged as a prominent west-coast revivalist in the 1940s.

Related Topics:
Piano - Bob Russell - George E. Lee’s - California - Duke Ellington’s - Mutt Carey - 1940s

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From 1934 he worked in Shanghai, China as leader of Earl Dancer’s band, and returning to the United States in 1936 he formed a group in Los Angeles under the name “Fourteen Gentleman from Harlem.” Later that year he accepted an offer from bandleader Willie Bryant in New York, but while moving east he stopped off in Kansas City, and was persuaded to stay by Count Basie, whose orchestra had a residency at the Reno Club, taking the trumpet chair recently vacated by Hot Lips Page. From 1937, Basie was in New York, which gave Clayton the opportunity to freelance in the recordings studios, and he participated in recordings sessions featuring Billie Holiday and was also present on Commodore (and later Keynote Records) sessions with Lester Young. Clayton remained with Basie until he was called up for war service in November 1943, and being based at Camp Kilmer near New York, he was able to participate in various all-star sessions, some of which were led by Sy Oliver.

Related Topics:
1934 - Shanghai - China - 1936 - Los Angeles - Willie Bryant - New York - Kansas City - Count Basie - Reno Club - Hot Lips Page - 1937 - Billie Holiday - Commodore - Keynote Records - Lester Young - 1943 - Camp Kilmer - Sy Oliver

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