John Clayton was away accepting a jazz award when his house burnt down in California, US
A fundraiser has been established to help US jazz double bassist John Clayton who, while he was accepting the Bruce Lundall Visionary Award from the Jazz Congress in New York, soon learnt that his house and all his possessions had been destroyed by the Eaton fire in Altadena, California. All of Clayton’s instruments were destroyed in the fire, including a double bass bequeathed to him by legendary jazz bassist Ray Brown, who had used the instrument for his recordings.
Set up by his friend Jeff Hamilton and personal manager Gail Boyd, the fundraiser aims to raise $340,000 to support Clayton and his family. At time of writing, it has already raised more than $319,000 within five days. Over 1,800 donations have been made, including by composer and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.
Clayton has led an illustrious career, performing with ensembles including the Count Basie Orchestra, the Clayton Brothers, and the Monty Alexander Trio, as well as the principal bassist of the Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. He has collaborated with artists including Paul McCartney, Natalie Cole, Nina Simone, Whitney Houston, and many more. In 2007, Clayton received a Grammy Award for the best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying a Vocalist for the song ‘I’m Gonna Live Til I Die’ by Queen Latifah, and a further nomination in 2009 for Best Jazz Instrumental Album. He also served as president of the International Society of Bassists from 1991–1993.
Clayton expressed his gratitude for the support he has received in a video message on 16 January:
‘I am almost speechless. I just want to reach out to you to say my whole-heart thank you - not only from the bottom of my heart, but my whole heart.
‘I’m just so beautifully overwhelmed and touched by your standing at my side the way you have, uplifting me in order to help me and my family get back on our feet, and to do all the important things that have to happen after something tragic like this occurs. So, I just can’t thank you enough.
‘If I were to write a tune, it would be a joyous tune right now, one of the gratitude that I’m feeling and that has me celebrating you, and I wish I could give all of you a really big hug right now… There are no words. I’ll definitely make music with you in mind, buoyed by your support.’
Read: Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers withdraws from performances due to Los Angeles fires
Read: LA Phil cancels concerts, as musicians lose homes in wildfires
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