YOU DIG? with Steve Wiest Episode: John Clayton — Bass, Arranging, Mentorship & The Music Life
In this episode of You Dig?, Steve Wiest sits down with legendary bassist, composer, arranger, educator, and bandleader John Clayton for a deep and relaxed conversation about music, creativity, mentorship, and life inside the jazz community.
From arts education and raising the next generation of musicians, to working with Paul McCartney and arranging for Diana Krall, this episode explores the mindset, craft, and humanity behind one of jazz’s most respected voices.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome to You Dig? — It’s John Clayton Day
00:14 The John Clayton Canon: A Legendary Career in Jazz
02:37 John Clayton Arrives — Settling Into the Hang
04:55 Leading ISJAC & Supporting Jazz Writers
06:20 Greenville Fine Arts Residency
07:25 Why Arts High Schools Change Lives
09:50 Growing Up With Strong Music Programs
10:40 Gerald Clayton’s Musical Journey
12:13 Sound, Curiosity & Musical Imagination 13:00 Duo Magic — John & Gerald Clayton
14:40 The Art of Touch & Personal Voice 16:00 The “Two Duo” Concept
17:50 Standards & Performance Flow 19:00 Learning “Tale of the Fingers”
0:00 Teaching vs Guiding
21:50 Mentorship & The Next Generation
23:00 Playing for the Music
24:20 Bandstand Energy
26:40 A Life Lesson for Young Artists
27:30 Paul McCartney Sessions
31:20 Working With Sir Paul
33:45 Arranging “How Insensitive”
36:10 Tension & Release in Big Band Writing
38:30 Jeff Clayton & “The Jones Brothers”
41:00 Quincy Jones & Mancini Influences
43:20 Playing With Henry Mancini
44::30 The Jazz Village
45:00 Closing Reflections
45:48 What’s Next on You Dig?
46:30 Post-Show Blooper
ABOUT JOHN CLAYTON
John Clayton is an internationally celebrated bassist, composer, arranger, educator, and co-founder of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. His career includes work with Count Basie, Diana Krall, Paul McCartney, and many leading jazz artists.
ABOUT YOU DIG?
You Dig? with Steve Wiest is a long-form conversation series exploring creativity, jazz, composition, arranging, education, and the lives of artists shaping the music world.
Hosted by Grammy-nominated trombonist, composer, author, and educator Steve Wiest.
LINKS & RESOURCES
Duke Ellington & Count Basie — Battle Royale https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= (add full link)
Fine Arts Center Recital (John & Gerald Clayton) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= (add full link)
You Dig? Sampler — John Clayton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= (add full link)
John Clayton Artist Site https://johnclaytonjazz.com/
Gerald Clayton Artist Site https://geraldclayton.com/
Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra https://johnclaytonjazz.com/artist/chjo/
Paul McCartney — Kisses on the Bottom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kisses_on_the_Bottom
#YouDigPodcast #JohnClayton #JazzPodcast #JazzBass #JazzEducation #BigBand #JazzArranging #MusicPodcast #SteveWiest
