Gerald Clayton

Gerald Clayton

Gerald Clayton is a Netherlands-born jazz pianist from Utrecht, born in 1984. He works in contemporary jazz, jazz, jazz fusion and post-bop, and is associated with Kindred Spirits and Out Of/Into.

Background

He is the son of bassist and bandleader John Clayton and the nephew of wind player and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Clayton. He is best known for his work with Roy Hargrove.

Education and early recognition

Clayton studies classical piano with Linda Buck for eleven years, beginning at the age of six. He graduates from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts in 2002 and, at graduation, receives a scholarship from the Music for Youth Foundation as one of four young musicians selected for the award. In September 2002, he receives the Shelly Manne Award for emerging young artists from the Los Angeles Jazz Society.

Further study and recordings

In 2006, he earns a Bachelor of Arts degree through the Jazz Studies programme at the USC Thornton School of Music, where his father serves as senior lecturer. He also places second in the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Piano Competition. In 2009, he releases his debut album as a leader, Two-Shade.