John Clayton, co-founder of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and mentor to countless young jazz musicians, is one of the premier jazz bassists of the last half-century.
It’s been 60 years since Dizzy Gillespie’s candidacy injected music, levity, and a focus on civil rights into the 1964 presidential election. By now, you’ve read and heard quite a bit about the concert we’re presenting on Sunday evening, Oct. 27 to celebrate that anniversary. And by now, you know the legendary names leading the band: Faddis and McPherson.
Now it’s time to make like Art Pepper… and meet the rhythm section.
Anchoring the back line will be John Clayton, one of the most celebrated bassists of the last half century and the co-founder of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, one of the most influential big bands of the same time span.
Sam Hirsh dazzled the Saville Theatre crowd with his solo rendition of Cedar Walton’s “Holy Land,” and he’s poised to dazzle another Jazz 88 audience this time around at the Handlery Hotel on Oct. 27.
Joining Clayton are pianist Sam Hirsh, a Cedar Walton acolyte who, as a sideman for McPherson last fall, dazzled our Jazz Live audience with his take on Walton’s “Holy Land,” and drummer Kevin Kanner, a mainstay within the Clayton/Hamilton orbit and the longtime leader of Groove Pocket, widely considered the hippest jazz jam session in Los Angeles.
Drummer Kevin Kanner, like Hirsh, another bright young star in the Clayton-Hamilton constellation, will round out the Faddis McPherson Quintet’s rhythm section when they celebrate the 60th anniversary of Dizzy Gillespie’s run for president on Oct. 27 at the Handlery Hotel.
These three have logged serious time on shared bandstands, and have gotten to know each other so well that the chemistry between them during gigs is palpable.
But don’t just take my word for it. Come on out Sunday night, Oct. 27, and meet the rhythm section (and Jon Faddis and Charles McPherson) for yourself!
Tickets at jazz88.org/tickets or 619-388-3000.
