Jazz Artist Clay Jenkins at Library
by Tom Keener
Esteemed jazz artist and University of Rochester’s prestigious Eastman School of Music professor Clay Jenkins uncorks dazzling trumpet solos at 7 p.m. Sunday, February 20, at the Allen Public Library Civic Auditorium, 300 N. Allen Drive, Allen, Texas.
Jenkin’s career as a jazz artist parallels his music’s energy. He recently returned from a 10-day New Zealand tour, where he performed the notoriously demanding Miles Davis/Gil Evans treatment of "Porgy and Bess."
"I really enjoyed it," said Jenkins of this late 1950s masterpeice. "It wasn't written to play live so it's really challenging. You've got to be in shape to do those numbers because it's like an hour-long concerto. It's on your mouth constantly the last 20 minutes. There are no breaks. If you get tired you're sunk."
Jenkin’s experience as a performer began with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. He recorded three live albums with Kenton’s band, Artistry in Symphonic Jazz, A Time for Love, and The Lost Concerts, Vols. I & II. Jenkins later moved to Los Angeles where he toured with the big bands of Harry James, Buddy Rich, and finally, the Count Basie Orchestra.
In 2000, Jenkins joined Eastman School of Music but continues to perform and record with Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, of which he is a charter member. Jenkin's solo recordings include Rings, Give and Gather, Yellow Flowers After, Azure Eyes, and Matters of Time. Additionally, his ensemble with co-leader Kim Richmond has released three recordings: Range, Look at the Time, and Crossweave. Collin College Professor Kris Berg notes, “Clay Jenkins is the real deal and is one of the premiere jazz trumpet players in the country today.”
A native Texan, Jenkins is a graduate of the University of North Texas where he earned his bachelor's degree in music theory. He later garnered a master's degree in jazz studies from the University of Southern California.
Sponsored by Bach to Books and the Collin College Jazz Program, this program is free but complimentary tickets will be issued at 6:30 p.m. Call 214-509-4911.
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