The Clayton Brothers

“It's always difficult to pick favorites out of a Clayton Brothers bouquet, given their well-deserved reputation for consistent excellence...” Dr. Judith Schlesinger, All About Jazz 

They grew up surrounded by music and now they pass it on to new generations, through live performance and education. John and Jeff Clayton lead one of the world’s reigning jazz big bands (with Jeff Hamilton) as well as a quintet known for its “consistent excellence.” For one night, two sets only, the Clayton Brothers Quintet will perform at the Dakota in downtown Minneapolis, featuring two generations of Claytons (John, Jeff and John’s son Gerald) along with trumpet titan Terell Stafford and up-and-coming drum star Obed Calvaire. 

Bassist John Clayton co-leads the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra with brother Jeff and drummer Jeff Hamilton, and the Clayton Brothers Quintet. He also serves as Artistic Director for the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival and for the Centrum Jazz Workshop. John took up the bass in his teens, ultimately studying with the great Ray Brown and joining the Henry Mancini Generation band (tv series). A graduate of Indiana University, John toured with Monty Alexander, Count Basie and then served four years as principal bassist with the Amsterdam Philharmonic. He’s arranged and/or composed for a long list of artists including Diana Krall, Quincy Jones, Natalie Cole, Nancy Wilson and Queen Latifah. A dedicated jazz educator, John is bass professor at the University of Southern California in the Jazz Studies Department. A seven-time Grammy nominee, he recently won the award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist ("I'm Gonna Live Till I Die" for Queen Latifah, from the album Trav'lin' Light).

Terell Stafford©Andrea Canter

Master trumpeter Terell Stafford was an anchor of Bobby Watson’s Horizon before breaking out as leader of his own quartet and quintet. Over time he has also played with McCoy Tyner’s Latin All-Stars, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, the Village Vanguard Orchestra, Mingus Big Band and Matt Wilson’s Arts and Crafts. Mentor Tyner noted, "Terell is one of the great players of our time, a fabulous trumpet player. He has his own voice on his instrument—a very personal sound.” 

Gerald Clayton©Andrea Canter

Drummer Obed Calvaire (Drums) graduated from the New World School of the Arts in Miami and received Bachelor’s degree and Master’s of Music in jazz drums at the Manhattan School of Music. He has performed with Steve Turre, Wynton Marsalis, Danilo Perez, Bobby Watson, Mark Murphy, Stefon Harris, Buster Williams, Lizz Wright and the Clayton Brothers Quintet, as well as large ensembles such as the Village Vanguard Orchestra, the Mingus Big Band and the Bob Mintzer Big Band.

The Clayton Brothers Quintet performs two sets on October 8th at 7 and 9:30 pm. Reserve tickets at www.dakotacooks.com