​Bassist John Clayton was born on August 20, 1952, in Venice, California near Los Angeles. He began taking lessons from legendary jazz bass player Ray Brown at the age of 16 and before the end of his teens was playing with Henry Mancini. In the years since Clayton has become one of the most respected musicians, composers and jazz educators in the business.

After graduating from Indiana University in 1975, Clayton toured with the Monty Alexander Trio and the Count Basie Orchestra before taking a position as principal bass in the Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. After returning from Europe John Clayton, along with his brother saxophonist Jeff, formed the Clayton Brothers band. In 1985 John co-founded the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra with drummer Jeff Hamilton.

During his career Clayton has been the artistic director for the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho and the director of the Jazz Port Townsend Summer Workshop in Washington state. In addition, he has served as the Artistic Director of Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and taught at the University of Southern California. He is past president of the International Society of Bassists.

John Clayton has composed and arranged for the Count Basie Orchestra, Diana Krall, Ernestine Anderson, Quincy Jones and the Tonight Show Band. He won a Grammy in 2007 for his work with Queen Latifah. His son Gerald is an accomplished jazz pianist.
​
Here is a link to John Clayton directing the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra at a performance in Europe:

"SQUATTY ROO"