Buck Clayton Albums (19)
'Passport to Paradise'
Release Date 6/21/2009
Tracks 12
Label Inner City
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What The Critics Say
Trumpeter Buck Clayton was in Paris at the time of this tasteful and typically melodic quintet date. Joined by a four-piece rhythm section that features pianist Sir Charles Thompson and guitarist Jean Bonal, Clayton (who generally states the opening melody muted and then closes the piece with an open horn) never really cuts loose but is quite pleasing to hear on these standards. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'From New York to Paris: 1944-1953'
Release Date 6/14/2005
Tracks 18
Label Epm Musique
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'Fiesta in Blue'
Release Date 11/27/2002
Tracks 20
Label Past Perfect
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'Buck Clayton Swings the Village'
Release Date 2/5/2002
Tracks 12
Label Nagel Heyer
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What The Critics Say
Health problems had long since forced Buck Clayton to give up the trumpet by the time these live recordings were made in early 1990, but he still had a lot to offer as a composer and arranger. Leading a 16-piece big band made up of some of the best musicians playing regularly in New York City -- including trumpeter Warren Vache, alto saxophonist Jerry Dodgion, tenor saxophonist Frank Wess, baritone saxophonist Scott Robinson, and pianist Dick Katz (to name just a few) -- the leader's dozen originals provide fertile ground for his musicians. Sadly, this date also proved to be somewhat of a swan song for Buck Clayton, who died the year following the making of this CD. Promoted as a limited-edition reissue, this recommended CD initially appeared in 1996 as The Buck Clayton Swing Band Live From Greenwich Village, NYC. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
'Copenhagen Concert, Vol. 2'
Release Date 2/20/1996
Tracks 7
Label SteepleChase
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'Copenhagen Concert, Vol. 1'
Release Date 1/23/1996
Tracks 6
Label SteepleChase
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What The Critics Say
This double-CD documents a concert by a group of swing all-stars dominated by Count Basie alumni: trumpeters Buck Clayton and Emmett Berry, altoist Earle Warren, Buddy Tate on tenor, trombonist Dicky Wells, pianist Al Williams, bassist Gene Ramey and drummer Herbie Lovelle. While the group is fine on the first disc playing five instrumentals (including three of Clayton's lesser-known songs), they really come alive on the second CD when they are joined by the great swing/blues singer Jimmy Rushing. Mr. Five by Five not only is in strong voice on three standards and three famous blues but he inspired the other musicians to play some hard-swinging and colorful solos. It is for Rushing's performance that this set is chiefly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Swiss Radio Days Jazz Series, Vol. 7: Basel 1961'
Release Date 1/1/1996
Tracks 7
Label TCB
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What The Critics Say
In 1961, trumpeter Buck Clayton toured Europe with an octet filled with swing-era veterans, many formerly with the Count Basie Orchestra: trumpeter Emmett Berry, trombonist Dickie Wells, altoist Earle Warren, tenor saxophonist Buddy Tate, pianist Sir Charles Thompson, bassist Gene Ramey and drummer Oliver Jackson. This 1997 CD features the all-star band at a typical concert that was broadcast over the radio in Switzerland. Although mainstream swing was way out of style by 1961 (a period when the John Coltrane Quartet was becoming very influential, not to mention hard bop and soul-jazz), many of the swing-era stars were still in their musical prime; Clayton was still only 49. On the well-recorded set, the group jams through such numbers as Buck's catchy "Swinging at the Coppers' Rail," "Robbins' Nest," "Swingin' the Blues" and "St. Louis Blues" with spirit and consistently inventive ideas. Although Wells was a little past his peak, his statements are full of color and wit, and it is a pleasure to hear the contrasting trumpets of Clayton and Berry soloing on the same songs. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Buck Clayton Jam Session, Vol. : 1975'
Release Date 9/19/1995
Tracks 6
Label Chiaroscuro
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What The Critics Say
Jazz suffered a major loss when, in the late 1960s, Buck Clayton had to retire from playing due to problems with his lip. But instead of permanently retiring from jazz altogether, he continued to make his mark as an arranger, band leader and educator. Clayton doesn't play at all on A Buck Clayton Jam Session: 1975; instead, this blowing date finds him overseeing and directing a 12-piece band that includes Joe Newman and Money Johnson on trumpet, Vic Dickenson and George Masso on trombone, Buddy Tate, Buddy Johnson and Sal Nistico on tenor sax, Lee Konitz and Earle Warren on alto sax, Tommy Flanagan on piano, Milt Hinton on bass and Mel Lewis on drums. To be sure, that's a variety of musicians--some have strong swing credentials, others were primarily hard boppers, and you even have a musician who came out of the Cool School (Konitz) and went on to explore post-bop. But they manage to find common ground on this swing-oriented jam, which concentrates on Clayton's own compositions and emphasizes blowing, blowing and more blowing. Thankfully, the liner notes list the order of the solos. Originally a vinyl LP in the 1970s and reissued on CD in 1995 (when Chiaroscuro added two previously unreleased bonus tracks), A Buck Clayton Jam Session is less than essential but is an enjoyable jam that diehard swing fans will appreciate. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
