Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » The Clayton Brothers: The New Song And Dance

The Clayton Brothers: The New Song And Dance

By Dan Bilawsky
December 31, 2010
View read count

The Clayton Brothers: The New Song And Dance

There was a time when jazz and dance were linked in the minds of the general public. As each evolved, this all changed: nobody was getting up to dance for bop—save, perhaps,

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk cutting a rug mid-performance—and big bands focused on their music more than making a danceable product.

The literal act of dancing might have been removed from close association with this music, but a segment of the music never altered its dance-worthy DNA. Foot tap-inducing grooves still get people riled up at jazz clubs and, though they don't jump out of their seats to bust a move, their body language says they want to. This idea is at the core of The Clayton Brothers' The New Song And Dance, a dynamic set that's brimming with energy, soul and intelligence. While the brothers— bassist

John Clayton

bass
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">John Clayton and saxophonist

Jeff Clayton

saxophone
1954 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeff Clayton—reference a wide cross-section of dance styles, break dancing to tango, they never play to stereotypes within these styles.

The brothers are both the face of the group and the major compositional forces behind the music, but all five musicians are marquee-worthy talents. Trumpeter

Terell Stafford

trumpet
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Terell Stafford contributes fiery melodies in tandem with Jeff Clayton ("Smarty Pants Dants"); delivers solo work that's dripping with soul ("Cha Cha Charleston"); and plays nice on the material that calls for a more measured approach ("Terell's Song").

Gerald Clayton

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Gerald Clayton demonstrates incredible flexibility throughout, easily shifting from slick, understated accompanist ("Terell's Song") to fire-breathing soloist on "Battle Circle," a dark, pulsating nod to the pianist's break dancing past, and the album's most unique composition. Drummer

Obed Calvaire

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Obed Calvaire might be the least well-known presence here, but he has quickly developed into one of the finest drumming forces of his generation, one who can play things fairly straight ("Chicago Bop Steppin"); deliver some second-line strut ("Street Dance"); dip his sticks into the rivers of Latin music ("Soul Tango"); or create grooves that are all his own ("Battle Circle").

While dance is the topic of the day, drama works its way into the music on the least dance-oriented track,

Stevie Wonder

vocals
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Stevie Wonder's "They Won't Go When I Go." The artistic range of the brothers Clayton is on full display here, with Gerald providing super-sensitive support. John's classically influenced arco work sets the mood at both ends of the piece, while Jeff's alto flute builds on that idea. Jeff switches to alto saxophone mid-track, and the music reaches its apex with some molten saxophone maneuvers before becoming withdrawn and melancholy once again. A bit of a detour from the general vibe of the record, but its musical virtues merit inclusion and help to provide a better-rounded picture of the band.

While only two members in this group are blood brothers, all five men are brothers-in-arms, and the music on The New Song And Dance transcends both its titular art forms.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Cha Cha Charleston; Soul Tango; Battle Circle; Terell's Song; Smarty Pants Dants; The New Song And Dance; They Won't Go When I Go; Chicago Bop Steppin'; Street Dance.

Personnel

John Clayton

bass

Jeff Clayton: alto saxophone, alto flute; John Clayton: bass; Terell Stafford: trumpet, flugelhorn; Gerald Clayton: piano; Obed Calvaire: drums.

Album information

Title: The New Song And Dance | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: ArtistShare

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Live In Paris
< Previous

Ultimate Zero - Live
Next >

John Clayton Concerts

Nov 1 Sat

Los Angeles Jazz Society 2025 Jazz Tribute Concert &...

The Montalban Theatre
Los Angeles, CA

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.