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Jeff Clayton (February 16, 1954 – December 16, 2020) was an Americanjazzaltosaxophonist andflautist.
Clayton studied oboe atCalifornia State University before dropping out to undertake a tour withStevie Wonder.[1] Following this he recorded withGladys Knight,Kenny Rogers,Michael Jackson,Patti LaBelle, andMadonna.[1] With his brotherJohn Clayton he foundedThe Clayton Brothers in 1977, and later formed theClayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra withJeff Hamilton.[1]
He worked withFrank Sinatra,Sammy Davis Jr.,Ella Fitzgerald,Woody Herman,Lionel Hampton, Ethan Smith, andLena Horne, and played in theCount Basie Orchestra while under the leadership ofThad Jones.[1] From 1989 to 1991 he was a member of the Philip Morris Superband.[1] He also toured withGene Harris,Dianne Reeves,Joe Cocker,B.B. King, andRay Charles.
Clayton died on December 16, 2020, after suffering fromkidney cancer.[2] He was 66 years old.
In December 2009,Brother to Brother by The Clayton Brothers received aGrammy Award nomination in theBest Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group category.
