November 12, 1911 – December 8, 1991

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Trumpeter and composer Wilbur “Buck” Clayton was born on November 12, 1911 in Parsons, Kansas.

Clayton, who moved to Shanghai in the mid-‘30s, helped bridge the gap between Western pop and traditional Chinese music with the composer Lin Jinhui.

After moving back to the States, Clayton joined the big band of Count Basie as a trumpeter and occasional arranger.

Clayton’s post-WWII recordings, beloved by both jazz and pop fans, are some of the most notable examples of mainstream jazz.

He turned Europe, Japan and Australia and refocused his efforts on arranging and composing after health problems caused him put down his horn in the late 60s. He taught at Hunter College in NYC in the 1980s and continued to form and lead bands.

Recorded in 1961

Personnel:

Buck Clayton, trumpet
Emmett Berry, trumpet
Earle Warren, alto sax
Buddy Tate, tenor sax
Sir Charles Thompson, piano
Gene Ramey, bass
Oliver Jackson, drums

Clayton got around!

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