The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
Jazz at the Phil
Swinging soul
As they say: there’s life in the old dog yet! The demise of great jazz orchestras has often been mooted, but has never actually come about. The finest example of this is the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, or CHJO for short, which was founded in Los Angeles in 1986. The conductor John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton lead their 19-piece orchestra through songs with the programmatic title »Jazz Power & Soul«. The Japanese Hammond organ virtuoso Akiko Tsuruga adds some very special timbres to the rich orchestral sound.
Founded by the composer and bassist John Clayton, his brother Jeff Clayton who died in 2020, and the drummer Jeff Hamilton, the orchestra has played with jazz greats such as Diana Krall, Charles Aznavour and Natalie Cole over the course of the past almost four decades – magnifying and, at the same time, refining their music. The CHJO was the resident jazz orchestra for the Hollywood Bowl between 1999 and 2001. Influenced by Duke Ellington and Count Basie, the large formation from America’s West Coast is known for its rich sound embodying both swinging elegance and heavy danceable groove.
Performers
The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
Akiko Tsuruga hammond organ
John Clayton conductor, co-leader
Jeff Hamilton drums, co-leader
Programme
»Jazz Power & Soul«
Subscription
Jazz at the Phil