The cruise isn’t over yet, there are a few more concerts to
see, but I know which one I considered “the best” right now. It was Clayton,
Clayton and Hamilton.
John Clayton plays bass. He is a very good-looking, tall,
older man and he plays with grace and precision, and almost always with a smile
on his face. Where many bassists appear as if they are trying to master the
instrument, manhandling it into submission, never failing to show how hard
they’re working, John stands next to his bass as a secure man stands next to
his beautiful wife with his hand lightly caressing her neck. He is cool in a completely unaffected
way. There is power in his touch, but he
doesn’t overpower his instrument, simply leads it to the notes it wants to play. I have heard him many times (he tours with Diana
Krall) and even seen him on tv, but in person he effortlessly exudes class.
Imagine Sidney Portier on the bass.
Jeff Hamilton plays drums.
Oh my goodness, does he. I saw him several times this week, and each
time was mesmerized by his creativity and taste. His solos add to the song being played,
rather than stopping them for a display of skill.
The two Johns are normally joined by Jeff Clayton, John’s
brother , who plays the sax. But not for this concert. For this concert they
were joined by Gerald Clayton on piano, John’s son.
With his trademark dreads tied up on his head, Gerald is a
fine looking young man – but he still has that look of a puppy who hasn’t quite
become who he will be. He carries himself
like his father, clear about his talent for which he has received accolades,
critical attention and Grammy nominations, he seems unimpressed by himself. He has such ability he could be arrogant and
egotistical and you would understand but instead is open and gracious.
In announcing the set it was remarked that this was an
historic event of sorts. Father and son
have played together in the past, but not frequently as Gerald’s talent has
taken him on his own path. And Gerald spoke to that as well, saying that whenever
this “family” performed together it was a “butt kicking.” By the time it was over I was wondering who
had taken the butt kicking.
The set featured some of Gerald’s original music as well as
some breathtaking covers. I sat in front
with a bird’s eye view. At one point
during the first number I noticed that John and Gerald’s eyes were closed at
exactly the same moment - like they were paying attention to information that
was coming to them from another source.
John watched Gerald play and I wondered what was going thru his mind.
Certainly pride, and the wonder that happens to every parent when their child
finds their own way and produces a life of their own. And as a parent of a child who has an ability
to reach people with his creations, I have experienced that additional feeling
of … well I am not sure I can adequately explain that feeling. And of course I am not equating Tim with
Gerald Clayton. But there are equal parts gratitude, relief, astonishment and a
confirmation that as a parent you didn’t totally mess up.
Jeff Hamilton’s gaze was different. He laughs out loud while he is playing and
loves to do the unexpected. So, frequently he was laughing at having
thrown something out there while he and Gerald were trading eight bars and then
shaking his head in astonishment at Gerald’s response. Several times he looked at John and they both
shook their head in pleasure. All three of them were playing at an incredibly
high level, and yet having the time of their life.
Then there was the music itself. They started with “Con
Alma”, then “Celia” and a beautiful slow “If I Should Lose You”. But the best was the last number of the set,
john Lewis’ “Django”. It left me gasping but it was as the lights came up I
realized I wasn’t the only one. Everyone seemed aware that they’d heard
something special. The man behind me,
Enrique as I found out, was thunderstruck as he remembered hearing the Modern
Jazz Quartet play the tune when they had come to Chile when he was a boy.
The level of chatter in the room was high during the break -
which on this cruise indicates excitement and enjoyment. Several sets I
attended emptied out after the first set. For this one, no one lucky enough to
be there would have thought of leaving. Because I was so close, I had taken
many pictures, allowed as long as you didn’t use a flash. I caught one of Jeff
gazing at Gerald and Jeff’s smiling face reflected in the piano’s shiny
surface. When they returned to the stage, they started out with “Yesterdays” and then one of Gerald’s own. According to the NYTimes, “The source material was Billy Strayhorn’s “Upper Manhattan Medical Group,” and in Mr. Clayton’s playfully syncopated tribute, “Under Madhatter Medicinal Groupon,” he stayed fairly close to the original chord changes, with clear sonority but a crushed-velvet touch." I think I stopped taking notes but I know that “Night Mist Blues” by Ahmad Jamal finished the set.
There was riotous applause. And then after the musicians left the stage, there was a roar as everyone started telling everyone else what they had just heard. It was lovely, people yelling “Did you hear that?” and “That was IT!” and “I feel sorry for anyone who missed that set!!” I showed one woman my photos and she made me promise to send her one and gave me her email address.
I was on a high for sure – that elusive high that comes from experiencing great art of any kind, but in my case especially with great jazz.
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