Gerald Clayton supposes tradition and innovation can peacefully exist

At one-forth the age of jazz, New York based jazz pianist Gerald Clayton stakes his claim in the history and the present of jazz.
“Tradition and innovation can peacefully exist”, supposes the son of famous bassist John Clayton. However, his biography states, 'with Gerald behind the piano this coexistence anything but peaceful.'

‘His dynamic and award-winning sound has been praised in print by the Jazz Times and Los Angeles Times. The New York Times has saluted his “Oscar-Peterson like style” and “huge, authoritative presence” and Down Beat Magazine’s 2008 Readers’ Poll named him one of the top up-and-coming pianists to watch'.
As a composer, his work has been commissioned by the Jazz Gallery in New York City and performed overseas by the BBC Orchestra. He has received many honours including the US Presidential Scholar in the Art.
Born in the Netherlands in 1984, Gerald grew up mainly in Los Angeles with a musical family that includes his father, bassist/composer John Clayton, and uncle, saxophonist Jeff Clayton.

Gerald began an 11 years study of classical piano at age 6, later enrolled in a Jazz Studies program at the University of Southern California. Still later he would study piano and composition under masters like Kenny Barron
A current member of the siblings Clayton Brothers Quintet, Gerald can be heard on the Brothers latest release, Brother to Brother, as well as on Roy Hargrove’s 2008 Earfood, and Diana Krall’s From This Moment On. But, it is Gerald Clayton’s own New York City based trio, comprised of Justin Brown (drums) and Joe Sanders (bass) that provides the most direct opportunity to explore and expand his own thoughts in music.
Gerald Clayton’s Two-Shades CD drops in June.
Live at the Smalls: youtube.com!

Frank Consola: WDNA's walking encyclopedia of jazz

He hosts 88 Jazz Place Morning, Monday - Friday 6 - 11 am, on Miami's WDNA 88.9 FM, Frank Consola, known as "the walking encyclopedia of jazz", had transplanted to Philly and ingrained himself into serious R&B and Rock & Roll. Later, however, a romantic interest would play for him a record Herbie Man at the Village Gate it was a big turn on to jazz.

Growing a jazz collection, Frank went to Miami in 1982 where he discovered WDNA, the serious jazz radio, and, in his own word, "becoming a sort of pest" he wrangled himself behind the microphone, he with his stack of jazz record. In 1989, as a volunteer, he started hosting a once a week jazz show and today Frank Consola's morning mix on the longest running jazz show in Miami brings musical order to the testy Miami morning commute

Tune in the next time you find yourself in some heavy traffic, Miami or anywhere. And if Miles, Coltrane, Parker, Kirk, and the rest of the legends don't soothe your soul, chances are you're too much of a hothead for even the coolest of jazz.

Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival 2010 honours Sonny Bradshaw

The approaching 20th Annual Jamaica Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival 2010 is fittingly being organised in a celebration of the life and work of music icon and event founder Cecil "Sonny" Bradshaw.

Festival co-founder, devoted and constant partner Myrna Hague heads the 'Jazz the Real Deal' 30 jazz events to be held across the island during Jazz Week, June 13-20, 2010.

Traditionally, the festival underscores valid jazz presentations by both local and international musicians and will be taken to jazz fans along Jamaica's north, south and east coasts and corporate area Kingston. In the works a 'Jazz Village', 2-day Jazz Symposium, Jazz-Art & Photo Exhibition displayed throughout the week, as well as the viewing of jazz films and videos.

Nightly jam sessions, wine & fashion, jazz Cruise, jazz Dinner, jazz Dance, visitors streaming into the island, live radio, are few of the activities of this milestone jazz festival. Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival opens at the Jamaica Pegasus Gardens (June 13) and the curtains will coming down on Fathers Day Jazz in Ocho Rios.

For the details: Visit www.ochoriosjazz.com!