Jay Clayton & Ray Gallon Trio

The Vermont Jazz Center continues its 2021-2022 Concert Season with Jay Clayton’s 80th Birthday Celebration featuring the Ray Gallon Trio.  Clayton has been key to the successful development of the Vermont Jazz Center’s vocal program. Dearly loved by her students, she combines a deep knowledge of the music with compassion for all. She swings like crazy, engenders the perfect emotion while singing a ballad, and has us on the edge of our chairs when creating on-the-spot improvisations, oftentimes including her original poetry. Downbeat Magazine says “her musicianship is impeccable;” that’s one of the reasons why she attracts such stellar support both on-stage and on-record. Clayton has 21 albums out as a leader/co-leader featuring pianists Stanley Cowell, Fred Hersch, Muhal Richard Abrams, and George Cables. A sample of other world-class musicians she has recorded with include Steve Reich, Jane Ira Bloom, John Cage, Norma Winstone, Houston Person, Gary Peacock, Jerry Granelli and Bobby McFerrin. Clayton co-teaches the VJC’s Summer Jazz Workshop with Sheila Jordan and shares her wisdom online during the pandemic.

The Jazz Center is grateful that Jay Clayton has chosen the VJC as the site to celebrate her 80^th birthday. For this performance she will be joined by pianist Ray Gallon along with Jay Leonhart (b) and Billy Drummond (d).

This year each concert will have both a limited in-person audience as well as a livestream component. You may purchase in-person tickets above and/or donate to the livestream below.  Please give generously and support live music.