Clay Jenkins w/Steve Schmidt Quartet

Sat, Aug 31

Clay Jenkins — trumpet, Rick VanMatre — tenor saxophone, Steve Schmidt — piano, Justin Dawson— bass, Jim Leslie — drums Jazz Vivace proudly presents Clay Jenkins as part of the Summer Jazz Series. Clay Jenkins’ career as a jazz artist has covered a wide range of musical experiences and responsibilities, bringing him to the forefront of jazz performing and teaching arenas. Clay’s experience as a performer began at an early age, playing and recording with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. 1978 Clay moved to Los Angeles, where he was in demand as a performer and studio recording musician. He toured with the big bands Buddy Rich and the Count Basie Orchestra. Since moving to Rochester, New York, in 2000 to join the Eastman faculty, Clay has maintained a busy performing, recording, and teaching schedule. He has remained active throughout the United States and abroad. Clay continues to perform and record with the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, of which he is a charter member whose trumpet section also included the great Eugene “Snooky” Young (1919-2011). Clay’s close friendship with Snooky Young led to three guest appearances at Eastman by the great trumpet player. Clay recently established the “Snooky Young Endowed Scholarship” at Eastman to assist under-represented minority students. Clay is currently writing a biography of Snooky Young’s life. Clay has performed on over one hundred recordings. He has released seven solo recordings under his name, and as a co-leader, he has recorded with Gene Bertoncini, Kim Richmond, and Don Aliquo. Clay has also recorded with Joe LaBarbera’s Quintet, The Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Harold Danko, Rufus Reid, Alan Ferber, and Charles Pillow. Clay also records with his Eastman colleagues Jeff Campbell and Rich Thompson as “Trio East.” Clay’s latest recording project, soon to be released, included guitarists Gene Bertoncini and Larry Koonse, drummers Joe La Barbera and Jeff Hamilton, and bassist John Clayton. Clay attended North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas), where he earned his bachelor’s degree in music theory. He then received his master’s degree in jazz studies from the University of Southern California. A $15 drink/food minimum is charged per person in the party, per set, if the total for beverages purchased by the party does not meet the minimum. Important Notices: If you do not check in by 15 minutes into the start of the set, we reserve the right to resale your seats with no refund. Refunds must be requested 24 hours before the start of the performance.