It’s a homecoming this week for John Clayton, one of the founders of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. The big band will be performing on Thursday night at Clayton’s Alma Mater: Cal State Northridge. Though they didn’t have The Soraya (Valley Performing Arts Center) when he was a student there. (The other founding members are John Hamilton and Jeff Clayton.)
The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra is a true big band. According to their website their typical configuration is 19 pieces as follows: 4 rhythm, 5 saxophones, 4 trombones, 5 trumpets and John as bass soloist and conductor. This band can swing! They have released six CDs so far.