Clay Jenkins

Clay Jenkins (October 4, 1964) is an American jazz trumpeter and jazz professor at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.

He has performed on over one hundred recordings—under his name; as a co-lead with Gene Bertoncini, Kim Richmond, and Don Aliquo; and working in the bands of Stan Kenton, John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, and Jim Widner.

Jenkins is also a co-founder of California-based recording label Jazz Compass.

Jenkins received his Bachelor's Degree in Music Theory from the University of North Texas, where he studied with trumpeter John Haynie. He also made a few recordings with the North Texas State University Lab Band in the mid-1970s with Mike Ross (bass); Lyle Mays (composer); Leon Breeden (director); Steve Houghton (drums); Sterling Procter (French horn); Jeff Davang (guitar); Greg Smith, Jeff Richey, Jim Clouse, Phil Garonzik, Sam Riney (saxophone); Pat Coil (piano); Bill Guthrie, Bill Yeager, Dave Glenn, Fred Sturm, Gerard Carelli (trombone); and Dave Zeagler, Gene Dutkin, Mark Van Sickle, Ray Sasaki (trumpet).

In 1993, he got his Master's Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Southern California, studying trumpet with Boyde Hood.

After completing his education, he toured with the Stan Kenton Orchestra, playing the jazz trumpet chair.

The Stan Kenton Orchestra

Jenkins was involved in three live recordings with Stan Kenton's band:

• 1977: Artistry in Symphonic Jazz, Tantara Records. Recorded with Michael Bard (alto + soprano saxophone); Alan Yankee, and Greg Metcalf (baritone saxophone); John Worster (bass); Gary Hobbs (drums); Ramon Lopez (percussion); Gary Clinton, and Roy Reynolds (tenor saxophone); A. G. Robeson, Allan Morrissey, Dennis Brunk, Dick Shearer, and Lloyd Spoon (trombone); and Bob Doll, Chuck Schmidt, Jay Sollenberger, and Steve Campos (trumpet)
• 1978: A Time for Love, Tantara Records. Recorded on April 21, 1978, at William Rainey Harper College, Palatine, Illinois, with Michael Bard (alto + soprano saxophone, flute); Jack Stuckey, Lisa Hittle (baritone saxophone); Jon Ward (bass); A. G. Robeson (bass trombone); Allan Morrissey (bass trombone, tuba); Ramon Lopez (congas); Jay Cummings (drums); Don Landis, Roy Reynolds (tenor saxophone); Dennis Brunk, Roger Homefield, Tom Lacey (trombone); and Bob Coassin, Bob Doll, Bruce Haag, Tom Baker (trumpet).
• 1978: The Lost Concerts, Jazz Heritage Rercords. Recorded on March 18, 1978, at Hotel Ambassador's Cocoanut Grove in Los Angeles with Michael Bard (alto saxophone); Dan Landis, Jack Stuckey (baritone saxophone); Kirk Smith (bass); Alan Morrissey (bass trombone); Jay Cummings (drums); Ramon Lopez (Latin percussion); Peter Asch, Roy Reynolds (tenor saxophone); A. G. Robeson, Denny Brunk, Tom Lacey, Roger Homefield (trombone); and Bob Doll, Bruce Haag, Clay Jenkins, Tom Baker, Steve Campos (trumpet).

Jenkins was also involved with the Stan Kenton Orchestra in Residence Jazz Camps.

In 1978, Jenkins moved to Los Angeles where he continued to do live performances and studio recording sessions. He also studied with famed trumpeter James Stampfor two years. In those years, he toured and recorded with the big bands of Harry James, Buddy Rich, and Count Basie.

In March 1979, with Harry James & His Big Band, Jenkins played trumpet for a live recording at Wylie Chapel in the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood alongside Dave Stone (bass); Les DeMerle (drums); Ron Hitchcock (engineer); Ken Watson (percussion); Norman Parker (piano); Chris Galuman, Jack Aiken, Mike Butera, Norm Smith, Tino Isgro (saxophone); Gary Tole, John Cochran, Stew Undem (trombone); Bill Hicks, Clyde Reasinger, Nick Buono (trumpet); and Ira Westley (tuba).

In 1989, Jenkins and Mark Hatch played trumpet on "High Brow Country Affair" and "Mountain Shakedown" for Japanese pianist Keiko Matsui's album Under Northern Lights (MCA Records). With them were Abraham Laboriel and Kenny Wild (bass); Vinnie Colaiuta (hihat); Brandon Fields, Eric Marienthal (saxophone); Derek Nakamoto (synthesizer); Art Rodriguez (drums); Paul Jackson Jr., Robben Ford (guitar); Michael Fisher (percussion); and Steve Holtman (trombone).

Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra

In the following decade, Jenkins was a founding member of John Clayton-Jeff Hamilton Jazz Orchestra with Bill Green (alto saxophone, clarinet); Herb Mickman (bass); Maurice Spears (bass trombone); Jim Hershman (guitar); Rickey Woodard (tenor saxophone, clarinet); George Bohanon, Ira Nepus, Thurman Green(trombone); and Oscar Brashear (trumpet). In 1990, he played on the orchestra's recording of Boogie Down (Concord Jazz) featuring celebrated jazz/blues singer Ernestine Anderson and Groove Shop (Capri Records).

In February 1991, they recorded Heart And Soul (Capri Records) at Group IV Studios in Hollywood.

Also in 1991, he played trumpet on The Bill Perkins Big Band's Wood Hermantribute album Our Man Woody (Jazz Mark). With trumpet section led by Joe Davis and Rick Baptist, Jenkins was accompanied by Jack Nimitz (baritone saxophone); Dave Stone (bass); Rich Bullock (bass trombone); Paul Kreibich (drums); Frank Strazzeri (piano); Bob Cooper (tenor saxophone); Brian Scanlon (tenor + alto saxophone); Andy Martin, Charlie Loper (trombone); and Bob Summers and Wayne Bergeron (trumpet).

The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra was the Jazz Orchestra in Residence at the Hollywood Bowl from 1999 to 2001.

In 2005, Jenkins was on the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra's album Christmas Songs featuring vocalist and pianist Diana Krall. The album was recorded and mixed at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California.

Richmond-Jenkins Ensemble

Jenkins teamed up with saxophonist Kim Richmond to form the Richmond-Jenkins Ensemble and made a few recordings. In 1994, they recorded Range (Nine Winds Records) with Trey Henry (bass); Joe LaBarbera (drums); Dave Scott (piano); and Joey Sellers (trombone). Other albums released by Richmond-Jenkins Ensemble:

• 1999: Look At The Time (Chase Music Group)
• 2004: CrossWeave (Origin Records)
• 2016: Inner Spirit (his own Jazz Compass Records)

Leon Russell's group

In 2013–2014, Jenkins played trumpet on Leon Russell's album Life Journey (Universal Records). The album was produced by Tommy LiPuma with famed British singer Elton John as the executive producer.

Jim Widner Big Band

In the mid-1990s, Jenkins worked with Jim Widner Big Band with Bill Perkins, Rick DiMuzio, Kim Richmond, Kim Park (saxophone); Jon Stone (saxophone and clarinet); Gary Hobbs (drums); Ron Anson, Paul McKee, Bruce Paulson (trombone); and Mike Vax, John Harner, and Dave Scott (trumpet). They made five recordings on Chase Music Group, beginning with Yesterdays & Today in 1995 at Ozark Sound Studio, Springfield, Missouri. Other musicians featured on the album are bassist Kris Berg; trombonists Eric Swanson and Mike Suter; guitarist Brian Harman; pianist Ray Kennedy, and trumpeters Rick Stitzel and Tijuana Julian.

Four more albums were cut in the following years:

• Body And Soul (1997)
• Live (2000)
• Flying High (2003)
• Out Of This World (2007)

Jenkins was on the staff of several Jim Widner Summer Jazz Camps.

Jazz Compass Records label

In 1999, Jenkins, bassist Tom Warrington, drummer Joe LaBarbera, and guitarist Larry Koonse co-founded Jazz Compass record label in La Crescenta, California. All four members performed as The Clay Jenkins Quartet. 2011 saw the release of their only album Good Signs on their Jazz Compass Records.

In 2004, they regrouped and recorded a jazz album Snowfall: A Jazz Compass Christmas Celebration, featuring pianist Bill Cunliffe.

Stephen Guerra Big Band

In 2000, two of Jenkins' recordings ("Want A Cracker?" and "Red Means Go") were featured on Stephen Guerra Big Band's album Namesake (Bada Beep Music Records). "Want A Cracker?" features saxophonist Matt Vashlishan and "Red Means Go" features Troy Roberts on saxophone and Daniel Susnjar on drums.

John LaBarbera Big Band

Jenkins also worked with The John LaBarbera Big Band alongside Tom Peterson, Brian Scanlon, and Kim Richmond (saxophone); Bob Carr (saxophone and clarinet); Tom Warrington (bass); Ken Kugler (bass trombone); Bob O'Donnell, Dennis Farias, and Wayne Bergeron (trumpet).

In the spring of 2002, they recorded On The Wild Side at Citrus Studios, Glendora, California. The album also featured Bill Cunliffe, Tom Ranier (keyboards), Scott Breadman (percussion), Bob Shepard (saxophone), and trombonists Alex Iles, Andy Martin, and Bill Reichenbach.

Other albums with LaBarbera's band:

• On The Wild Side (2003)
• Fantazm (2005)
• Caravan (2013)
• Grooveyard (2023)

In 2018, Jenkins was a featured trumpeter on Jonathan Campbell's jazz album Northtet with Brian Claxton (drums), Josh Skinner (bass), and Kate Skinner (piano and vocals).

Over the years, Jenkins also performed/recorded with Milt Jackson, Harold Danko, Billy Harper, Lyle Mays, Peter Erskine, Ray Brown, Dr. John, Eric Reed, Gary Hobbs, Bill Perkins, Pat LaBarbera, Billy Childs, Lennie Niehaus, Miki Coltrane, Kurt Elling, Rufus Reid, Alan Ferber, and Charles Pillow.

Jenkins served as Chairman of the Music Theory Department at the Colburn School of Performing Arts in Los Angeles from 1988 through the summer of 2000.

In 2000, he moved to Rochester, New York, and joined the music faculty of

Eastman School of Music as Associate Professor of jazz trumpet. He continued to perform with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and others and as co-lead of his group "Trio East" with his Eastman colleagues Jeff Campbell and Rich Thompson. Trio East has released two albums—Stop-Start (2005) and Best Bets (2006).

Jenkins had earlier taught music at various schools, including The Foundation for the Junior Blind, California State University at Northridge, and The California Institute of the Arts. He has performed and presented clinics in the United States and Canada, and also internationally in Japan, Italy, South Africa, Korea, Germany, Russia, and Portugal.

In 2005, Jenkins was part of the jazz band in Penn Jillette and Paul Provenza's documentary comedy film The Aristocrats. The other musicians in the jazz band called "The Aristo-Jazz Cats" are Alan Pasqua (piano), Bob Sheppard (saxophone), Andy Waterman (audio engineer), Kenny Wild (bass), and Ralph Humphrey (drums).

The award-winning documentary features over 80 notable comedians, including Chris Rock, Don Rickles, Bill Maher, Drew Carey, George Carlin, Robin Williams, Jon Stewart, Jason Alexander, Lewis Black, Gilbert Gottfried, Hank Azaria, Shelley Berman, and Steven Banks.

Jenkins co-authored the theory textbook that is used in various schools.