Ahead of his appearance at the 4th annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival — co-hosted by KCRW’s very own resident Jazzcat, LeRoy Downs — pianist, composer, and band leader Gerald Clayton is rolling through KCRW HQ. As a bonus, he’s brought the Jazzcat himself along for a chat.
The longtime friends break down Clayton’s piano prowess, and how he strives to honor the work of his renowned bass player/composer father — John Clayton — through his own original compositions. They also revel in the power of community, and give us a taste of what Clayton brings to the stage with “Celia (Live)” from the 2020 album Happening: Live at The Village Vanguard. We also put Clayton on the spot to share his ultimate boogie down cut, and he comes correct with The Cannonball Adderley Quintet’s “Rumplestiltskin.” “If you wait long enough,” Clayton proclaims, “it gets so funky. Get in there to experience it for yourself.