(Preview by Russell)
Wilbur ‘Buck’ Clayton, trumpeter, composer. Born 1911,
died 1991. A young Clayton played piano for a while, encouraged by his musician
father, but the trumpet was to be the instrument to bring him fame in the jazz world.
Several years with the Count Basie band ended with war-time service in the US
Army. Post war, JATP engagements and a busy recording studio scheduled enhanced his
profile. Trips to Europe followed and he was immortalised in the 1960 film Jazz on a Summer’s Day.
It was Clayton’s European travels that led to an
enduring friendship with Old Etonian all round good egg trumpeter Humphrey
Lyttleton. The pair worked together, theirs more a genuine friendship than any
‘on the gig’ civility. Following Clayton’s death in 1991, the urbane Lyttleton
(musician/broadcaster/writer) continued to champion the American and his
contribution – his legacy – to the music.
In recent years musician/broadcaster/ writer Alyn
Shipton has picked up the baton touring with an all star European band playing
the music of, and associated with, Buck Clayton. On Friday October 30 the Buck
Clayton Legacy Band returns to Sage Gateshead to play a celebratory concert: A Celebration of Duke Ellington. The
focus of the evening will be on an often overlooked aspect of Ellington – music
for the small combo. Shipton’s interest is personal having been given a box
full of Clayton’s arrangements by the man himself. The band is adaptable,
playing other programmes, including a Billie Holiday set, but this Sage
Gateshead date is about the Clayton-Ellington association.
The greats will be remembered, but don’t expect it to
be a maudlin occasion – music at its best uplifts, restoring faith in humanity.
This Sage gig features Shipton (double bass) and his co-bandleader and Matthias Seuffert (reeds), together with Ian
Smith (trumpet), Adrian Fry (trombone), reeds duo Alan Barnes and Robert Fowler, master pianist Martin
Litton and drummer Bobby Worth making for as expert an ensemble of small group
exponents either side of the Atlantic.
The band’s previous visit to Gateshead received
glowing reviews and this October date is sure to do likewise. Tickets are going like hot (jazz) cakes. So, to be sure of your seat
telephone the ticket office: 0191 443 4661. And there is still time to book
your place on the following day’s workshop led by Shipton & co before they
dash down the M1 to play an evening gig at the Pizza Express, Maidstone. Hugely
recommended.
Russell.
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