YOU DIG? with Steve Wiest Episode: John Clayton — Bass, Arranging, Mentorship & The Music Life In this episode of You Dig?, Steve Wiest sits down with legendary bassist, composer, arranger, educator, and bandleader John Clayton for a deep and relaxed conversation about music, creativity, mentorship, and life inside the jazz community. From arts education and raising the next generation of musicians, to working with Paul McCartney and arranging for Diana Krall, this episode explores the mindset, craft, and humanity behind one of jazz’s most respected voices. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to You Dig? — It’s John Clayton Day 00:14 The John Clayton Canon: A Legendary Career in Jazz 02:37 John Clayton Arrives — Settling Into the Hang 04:55 Leading ISJAC & Supporting Jazz Writers 06:20 Greenville Fine Arts Residency 07:25 Why Arts High Schools Change Lives 09:50 Growing Up With Strong Music Programs 10:40 Gerald Clayton’s Musical Journey 12:13 Sound, Curiosity & Musical Imagination 13:00 Duo Magic — John & Gerald Clayton 14:40 The Art of Touch & Personal Voice 16:00 The “Two Duo” Concept 17:50 Standards & Performance Flow 19:00 Learning “Tale of the Fingers” 0:00 Teaching vs Guiding 21:50 Mentorship & The Next Generation 23:00 Playing for the Music 24:20 Bandstand Energy 26:40 A Life Lesson for Young Artists 27:30 Paul McCartney Sessions 31:20 Working With Sir Paul 33:45 Arranging “How Insensitive” 36:10 Tension & Release in Big Band Writing 38:30 Jeff Clayton & “The Jones Brothers” 41:00 Quincy Jones & Mancini Influences 43:20 Playing With Henry Mancini 44::30 The Jazz Village 45:00 Closing Reflections 45:48 What’s Next on You Dig? 46:30 Post-Show Blooper ABOUT JOHN CLAYTON John Clayton is an internationally celebrated bassist, composer, arranger, educator, and co-founder of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. His career includes work with Count Basie, Diana Krall, Paul McCartney, and many leading jazz artists. ABOUT YOU DIG? You Dig? with Steve Wiest is a long-form conversation series exploring creativity, jazz, composition, arranging, education, and the lives of artists shaping the music world. Hosted by Grammy-nominated trombonist, composer, author, and educator Steve Wiest. LINKS & RESOURCES Duke Ellington & Count Basie — Battle Royale https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= (add full link) Fine Arts Center Recital (John & Gerald Clayton) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= (add full link) You Dig? Sampler — John Clayton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= (add full link) John Clayton Artist Site https://johnclaytonjazz.com/ Gerald Clayton Artist Site https://geraldclayton.com/ Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra https://johnclaytonjazz.com/artist/chjo/ Paul McCartney — Kisses on the Bottom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kisses_on_the_Bottom #YouDigPodcast #JohnClayton #JazzPodcast #JazzBass #JazzEducation #BigBand #JazzArranging #MusicPodcast #SteveWiest
