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Buck Clayton's remarkable career spanned over fifty years, during which time he firmly established himself as an indispensable part of the jazz world. Having played with such greats as Lionel Hampton, Lester Young, and as part of the Count Basie band, Clayton's musical genius was widely recognized and respected. This outing was recorded in Paris during May of '51, and features the trumpeter in the setting in which he is perhaps most comfortable -- the small combo. He is joined by Sir Charles Thompson (p), Jean Bonal (g), Gene Ramey (b) and Oliver Jackson (dms). They created a twelve song recording that is inventive, surprising, and above all beautiful. No one will want to pass this up!
Throughout his career, whether as a trumpeter or an arranger, Buck Clayton was synonymous with good taste. Although quite capable of hitting high notes (occasionally he would surprise audiences), Clayton was best known for his mellow and lyrical solos, which swung without shouting.
Born in 1911, Clayton started his career in an unusual way, organizing and leading a big band that played in Shanghai, China in 1934. After returning to the U.S., he was on his way to New York when he stopped off in Kansas City, met Count Basie, and joined Basie's band just as it was planning to go East. Clayton was a star soloist with Basie for the next seven years, also making notable recordings with Billie Holiday. Although he reluctantly left in 1943 when he was drafted, he would always be associated with Count Basie. Clayton, who had contributed arrangements to the band, also wrote for other orchestras including those of Benny Goodman and Harry James. After his Army service was completed, he led his own small groups, mastered dixieland so he could work more often in the early 1950s, and led a series of outstanding recorded jam sessions. His swing trumpet playing, which was unchanged from the late 1930s, came to symbolize “mainstream jazz.” Clayton continued playing in swing and dixieland settings (including with Benny Goodman, Mezz Mezzrow, Eddie Condon and Basie reunion groups) until the late 1960s. Physical problems with his lips ended his playing career when he was still in his late fifties. But although unable to play trumpet, after a few years he returned to music as an arranger-composer, leading a successful big band during his final days before his death in 1991.
Passport To Paradise was recorded in 1961 during a tour of France with a Count Basie alumni band. Clayton, who is accompanied by pianist Sir Charles Thompson (who also plays a bit of organ), rhythm guitarist Jean Bonal, bassist Gene Ramey and drummer Oliver Jackson, is in the spotlight most of the time. Other than two obscurities (including Sidney Bechet's “Passport To Paradise”), Clayton performs familiar standards. He often begins a song using a cup mute, and after the piano solo returns to play open horn. His solos are melodic but never completely predictable and his solos include moments of excitement.
"Buck Clayton gained his initial fame as Count Basie’s solo trumpeter during 1936-43. After a stint in the Army, he had a successful solo career and in the 1950s his swing playing led critic Stanley Dance to call his type of playing “mainstream.” Passport To Paradise, recorded during a 1961 tour of France, features Clayton and a rhythm section performing melodic renditions of standards and two lesser-known songs, including Sidney Bechet’s “Passport to Paradise.” Clayton’s work on trumpet, both open and with a cup mute, is tasteful and quietly creative.
Buck Clayton plays beautifully throughout this CD, sounding very much in his prime." -Scott Yanow
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