Clay JENKINS

Clay Jenkins’ career as a jazz artist has covered a wide range of musical experiences. He attended the University of North Texas (then North Texas State University) where he earned his bachelor’s degree in music theory and studied trumpet with John Haynie. Upon completion of his degree, Clay got his first road experience playing the jazz trumpet chair with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. He recorded three live albums with the Kenton Band, “Artistry in Symphonic Jazz,” “A Time for Love,” and “The Lost Concerts, Vols. I & II,” and was also involved with the Stan Kenton Orchestra in Residence Jazz Camps.

Clay moved to Los Angeles in 1978, where he continued to play live and in studio recording sessions. It was at this time that he studied with the renowned trumpet teacher, James Stamp. From Los Angeles, he toured with the big bands of Harry James, Buddy Rich, and finally, the Count Basie Orchestra.

Clay earned his master’s degree in jazz studies from the University of Southern California, studying trumpet with Boyde Hood. He has taught at the Foundation for the Junior Blind, University of Southern California, California State University at Northridge, and California Institute of the Arts. He also served, from 1988 through the summer of 2000, as chairman of the music theory department at the Colburn School of Performing Arts.

Since moving to Rochester to join the Eastman faculty, Clay has continued to maintain an active performing and recording schedule. He has performed and presented workshops throughout the United States, and in other countries such as Japan, Italy, Korea, Germany, and South Africa. He is a charter member of the trumpet section of the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (which has included trumpet artists Snooky Young, Bobby Bryant, Chuck Findley, Oscar Brashear, Byron Stripling, Bijon Watson, Bobby Rodriguez, and Charlie Davis).

Clay’s solo recordings include: Rings, Give and Gather, Yellow Flowers After, and on the Jazz Compass label, Azure Eyes and Matters of Time. His ensemble with co-leader Kim Richmond has released two recordings: Range and Look at the Time. Other artists Clay has recorded with include Milt Jackson, the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Billy Harper, Lyle Mays, Peter Erskine, Ray Brown, Kurt Elling, Dr. John, Bob Sheppard, Jim Widner, Eric Reed, Gary Hobbs, Rich Perry, Bill Perkins, Joe LaBarbera, Bill Cunliffe, Billy Childs, Steve Houghton, Lennie Niehaus, Ernestine Anderson, and Miki Coltrane. Clay plays the “New French Besson” trumpet, produced by Boosey and Hawkes, Inc., and represents this company as a performing artist.