John Clayton is a ten-time Grammy-nominated bassist, composer, bandleader, and President of the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers, whose talents are consistently requested in the jazz industry.

Clayton’s serious study of the double bass began at age 16 when he studied with famed bassist, Ray Brown. He was the bassist for Henry Mancini’s television series “The Mancini Generation,” later touring with Monty Alexander and the Count Basie Orchestra, and holding the principal bass position in the Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra.

Clayton has composed & arranged music, often for the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, featuring Diana Krall, McCoy Tyner, Milt Jackson, Quincy Jones, Dr. John, Dee Dee Bridgewater (including her album “Dear Ella,” for which Clayton received a Grammy nomination), Natalie Cole (another Grammy nomination), Nancy Wilson, George Benson, Regina Carter and many others. He has been commissioned by many ensembles, including the WDR Big Band, Amsterdam Philharmonic, American Jazz Philharmonic, Metropole Orchestra, and the Carnegie Hall Big Band.

Clayton received a Grammy award for his arrangement of “I’m Going to Live Til I Die,” written for Queen Latifah, and was awarded a platinum record for his stirring arrangement of “The Star-Spangled Banner” performed by Whitney Houston for Super Bowl XXV.