Jazz Festival at EIU with John Clayton
The 66th Annual Jazz Festival at Eastern Illinois University is where you can see John Clayton, the Grammy-winning bassist, composer, arranger, and producer. Clayton has worked with countless artists, including arranging Whitney Houston’s rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” at the 1990 Super Bowl performance. Clayton’s performance will be on Friday, February 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Dvorak Concert Hall.
In addition to winning a Grammy, he’s been nominated nine times, and has written and/or recorded with artists such as Milt Jackson, Diana Krall, Paul McCartney, Regina Carter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gladys Knight, Queen Latifah, McCoy Tyner, Yo Yo Ma, and Charles Aznavour, to name a few.
John was the principal bassist in the Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra from 1980-1984. In 1986, John co-founded the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and rekindled The Clayton Brothers Quintet. In addition to his individual clinics and workshops, he also directs the educational components of Centrum, The Port Townsend Jazz Festival, and the Vail Jazz Workshop.
John feels, “I’ve been guided by a village of musicians who helped me understand the humility that goes along with playing music at the highest level you can. Ray Brown used to tell me to ‘Learn how to play the bass!!’ Just take care of the music and it will take care of you.”
Tickets: $25/$20/$15/$10 for festival attendees.
To check ticket availability, visit: https://www.eiu.edu/doudnatix/