Buck Clayton

Buck Clayton

Source:  Brown Bag Discussion Group

Born on 12 November 1911 in Parsons, Kansas, arranger and trumpeter, Buck Clayton, formed his first band in 1929 upon graduating from high school. Five years later he took off for Shanghai and played jazz with Chinese musicians. Upon his return he first recorded with Count Basie on January 21, 1937, in New York City: 'Honeysuckle Rose', 'Pennies from Heaven', 'Swingi' at the Daisy and 'Roseland Shuffle'.

Shortly after joining Basie, Buck also recorded with Teddy Wilson, therefore Billie Holiday as well. Clayton's first titles with Wilson's orchestra were on January 25, 1937: 'He Ain't Got Rhythm', 'This Year's Kisses', 'Why Was I Born?' and 'I 'Must Have that Man'. Future sessions followed with Wilson, after which Clayton would record with Billie Holiday & Her Orchestra.

Also free-lancing during his tenure with Basie, thus Buck progressed until he was drafted into the military in 1943. Upon honorable discharge he put together a band in New York City called the Buck Clayton Quintet and recorded four titles on June 7: 'Diga Diga Doo', 'Love Me or Leave Me', 'We're in the Money' and 'B.C. Blues'.

Recording prolifically with his own ensembles, Clayton began arranging for Basie in 1946, as well as Benny Goodman and Harry James. He also joined Norman Granz’s Jazz at the Philharmonic (JATP). The following year he served a residency at the Café Society in New York City.

Clayton took his band to France in 1949, then Italy in 1953. He also toured Japan, Australia and New Zealand in 1964, then England in 1965. During the fifties and sixties his career consisted of shuttling between France, England and the United States on various occasions.

Clayton had a lip condition, perhaps an injury, the cause of which I've not been able to discover, but it was painful enough to undergo lip surgery in 1969 which failed to solve his troubles, causing him to cease playing trumpet in 1972. He turned at that point turned to more arranging. He made an attempt to perform during a tour of Africa in 1977, but had to give it up permanently in 1979. Clayton published his autobiography, 'Buck Clayton’s Jazz World', in 1986, the same year he formed his last band, to tour internationally. Clayton died in his sleep in New York City on 8 December 1991.

Tom Lord: leading 30 of 338 sessions 1930-1977

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