There is every reason to call the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, formed in 1985, legendary, and the jazz lovers have been waiting for them to perform in concert in Hungary for years. No other major orchestra in the jazz world has had three leaders for decades. The band was led by bassist and composer John Clayton, drummer Jeff Hamilton and saxophonist Jeff Clayton until the latter's death in 2020. Hamilton has regularly worked with Oscar Peterson and Ray Brown, while John Clayton backed Count Basie's orchestra and is credited with the big band's varied arrangements that are full of surprises.
It is the concert programme that makes this evening really special, as the band will play new compositions written for this tour and will be heard together with two exceptional guests on this evening only. The playing of the Japanese organist Akiko Tsuruga herself is the answer to how this instrument, which is almost like a full orchestra, can enter into dialogue with a big band. The audience of the Liszt Fest will be particularly thrilled by the performance of Gigi Radics, the Hungarian pop and soul diva who is invited to the stage by the band especially for this evening. This is how masculine and feminine forces meet and intertwine, creating powerful yet soulful music.

Presented by: Müpa Budapest