John Clayton is an American double bassist and Grammy Award-winner. He has written and/or recorded with artists such as Milt Jackson, Diana Krall, Paul McCartney, Regina Carter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gladys Knight, Queen Latifah, McCoy Tyner, YoYo Ma and Charles Aznavour, to name only a few. John was the principal bassist in the Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra (The Netherlands) from 1980-1984, and co-founded the acclaimed Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra in 1986. In addition to his individual clinics and workshops, he also directs the educational components of Centrum, The Port Townsend Jazz Festival, and the Vail Jazz Workshop. John lives in Los Angeles and his children are 39 and 40 years old.
UKJazz News: What is the best advice you received about balancing/juggling parenthood and career?
John Clayton: I didn’t receive any advice about balancing being a parent and my career. I/we had to figure it out.
UKJN: What information or advice do you wish you’d received but didn’t (and had to learn through trial and error or on the go)?
JC: Follow your heart. Go with your instincts. You’ll learn to make your choices the right ones. Lean on others. Relatives, friends, colleagues–seldom do I hear of people turning down the chance to help those close to them.
UKJN: Your top tip(s) for other parents in jazz:
JC: Add to your musicianship level so that you continue to grow. Doors will open for you because your music is so strong. Don’t blame the situations, music business, lack of returned calls/emails, etc. Figure out what needs to be added to your music. Focus on that.
UKJN: Best general travel/gigging/tour-with-child advice:
JC: Show them love. Do it YOUR way. They’ll remember the love, always. They may not remember the stuffed toys.
UKJN: What is one way that figures or structures in the jazz industry could better support parents who are working jazz musicians?
JC: The government should have programs that support artists. Period.
UKJN: What has surprised you about becoming a parent and remaining engaged with your professional activities and ambitions?
JC: Nothing comes to mind because my wife and I always communicated and adjusted accordingly.
UKJN: What boundaries have you set for yourself as a parent in jazz (could be related to travel/touring, riders, personal parameters, child care decisions, etc.)?
JC: We discovered our boundaries by trying things. I might come home from a tour and my wife might say, “you being gone for 3 weeks was really difficult.” From that point on, I didn’t go on 3 week tours. That’s one example.
On January 8 2025, while in New York accepting the prestigious Jazz Visionary Award from Jazz Congress, John was informed that his home of 40 years was destroyed in the horrendous Eaton fire in Altadena, California. His friend and musical collaborator Jeff Hamilton, along with John’s longtime manager Gail Boyd, set up a “Go Fund Me” to assist John and his family. You can find out more at the link: Support John Clayton: Everything lost in Eaton Fire
(*) Parents in Jazz was started (first as ‘Mothers In Jazz’) by vocalist Nicky Schrire in August 2022. The initiative aims to create an online resource for jazz industry professionals with children, those contemplating parenthood, and jazz industry figures who work with and hire musicians who are parents. The insight of the musicians and administrators interviewed for this series provides valuable emotional, philosophical and logistical information and support that is easily accessible to all. “Parents In Jazz” shines a light on the very specific role of being both a parent and a performing jazz musician or jazz arts professional.
