Many of today's top jazz artists adopted the music after being turned on by a great album, concert, or learning experience. Pianist Gerald Clayton was born into it. His father, bassist and arranger John Clayton, played in the Count Basie Orchestra before co-founding the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra “I was exposed to the lifestyle behind the music," says Clayton. “I saw a lot of sound checks and rehearsals and grown men showing each other so much love, just for the music."At the age of 26, Clayton, who plays Saturday as part of the Exodus To Jazz series, is one of the hottest young pianists on the scene. His first CD, “Two-shade," was highly acclaimed, and last year he placed first among “Rising Stars" (Piano) in DownBeat magazine's Critic's Poll. The concert celebrates the release of his new album, “Bond." Click here for complete story from rochestercitynewspaper.com.
