We are delighted to feature multi-instrumentalist Clark Gayton in our “Jazz Generation Chats with the Cats” series.
Clark spent the majority of his upbringing in Seattle Washington."There was a bit of a scene there at that time. When I got to middle school, my instructor was Wadie Ervin, and he introduced me to Joe Brazil who was heading an organization called the Black Academy of Music, later becoming the Brazil Academy of music." Clark went on to gig with his big band around Washington State. He also played with an R&B group that played in the city - dances and functions - as well as playing in the Little and Junior Symphonies. "But I wasn't really doing much in that time, I was still in High School"
After attending Berklee in Boston, Clark moved across the country to the Bay Area.
"There was a great scene there in those days. I was still learning about what was going on, I was still very green. But the Bay Area allowed me to play in a lot of diverse situations all the time. I was playing with Salsa and African bands, while playing with Johnny Coles and Ed Kelly on jazz dates. Guys like Gaylord Birch, Joe Henderson, Eddie Henderson and Pharaoh Sanders were there too. I was in a house band at a club called Milestones owned by Sonny Buxton. We played 3 nights a week there, playing straight ahead! I really loved the scene there."
But then a point was reached when everybody around him was clamoring for him to move to New York. "They said if I didn't do it now, I would be stuck in Oakland forever. I felt good about where I was musically, so I made the jump to New York. Best decision I could have made. But, I still had a lot to learn."
Like so many musicians at this time, Clark has had his ups and downs in quarantine.
"It hasn't been easy. I just try and stick to my routine. Gym, eat, nap, record - I like to go for a short run before bed which puts me to sleep. I get bored sometimes, but it's really not that bad. I love playing my piano and tuba during the day - I'm just so ready to play again!! It's why I'm here."
Clark hasn't been letting this down time go to waste, recording and producing during this period. "I have a few more projects that I will produce, as well as some recording dates that I will do from home. It's been great to finally use all the gear I've acquired over the years. But no real gigs coming up outside of a gig in August with the BronX BandA, led by Arturo O'Farrill. Great project, for real."
"Rob Duguay turned me onto KeyedUp. He's a warrior, man! Great bass player, and easy to work with, knows a bunch of tunes. I always dig playing with Rob. He asked me to talk to the bar owners that I worked with and to get them involved. Many have gotten on board. The extra bread really helps, and keeps my burden a little lighter. I like to be able to tell a cat how much the gig pays at the end of the night. The music sounds and goes over better. It's really been a Godsend. I think what KeyedUp up is doing will save the music scene in New York, if giving the opportunity to lead the charge. The players are in the street, playing gigs for local people, and it's a real thing. It's not just throwing money at the situation. I'm a huge fan of the organization.