Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra

John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, and Jeff Clayton 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 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 Woodward -- tenor saxophone, clarinet

Charles Ownen -- tenor saxophone

Lee Callet -- bariton saxophone, bass clarinet

Bijon Watson -- lead trumpet

Sal Cracciolo -- 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 (no longer with CHJO but on this recording)

Christoph Luty -- bass

The CHJO has backed Diana Krall, Rosemary Clooney, John Pizzarelli and others, and most of the musicians in the orchestra, including the Clayton Brothers and Hamilton, have appeared on 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.

[edit] Discography

Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra Live At MCG Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, (MCG Jazz) 2005

Shout Me Out Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, (Fable/Lightyear) 2000

EXPLOSIVE! Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra w/Milt Jackson (Qwest) 1998

ABSOLUTELY! Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (Lake Street Records) 1993

Heart & Soul Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orch. (Capri) 1991

Groove Shop Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (Capri) 1990 (Grammy award nominee)