Mar 05 2025 59 mins 3
This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpeter, educator and recording artist Clay Jenkins, is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass.
Clay Jenkins is a renowned jazz trumpeter and educator whose dynamic career spans decades of performance and teaching. He launched his performing journey with the Stan Kenton Orchestra before moving to Los Angeles, where he toured and recorded with the big bands of Buddy Rich and the Count Basie Orchestra.
A charter member of the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Clay has amassed over 100 recording credits, released seven solo albums, and recorded as a co-leader with many other notable names. Since joining the Eastman School of Music faculty, in Rochester, NY, in 2000, Clay has continued to perform worldwide, while mentoring the next generation of jazz musicians.
Inspired by his close friendship with the late trumpet legend Eugene "Snooky" Young, he established the Snooky Young Endowed Scholarship at Eastman, and is currently writing a biography of Young's life.
Clay is wonderfully warm, down-to-earth and humble. If you listened to our last episode featuring Emile Martinez, you'll know that Clay was instrumental in guiding Emile on his artistic journey, and so how appropriate it is that we can follow up on that interview with this one today.
And he's a lifelong practicer. Clay is always trying to improve, and it's inspiring to hear someone at his level still talking about what they go through every day, trying to better themselves.
Episode Links:
"Hope Beats" - YouTube series with Clay Jenkins (trumpet), John Clayton (bass), Larry Koonse (guitar), Gene Bertoncini (guitar), Joe La Barbera (drums)
Podcast Credits:
- “A Room with a View“ – composed and performed by Howie Shear
- Audio Engineer – Ted Cragg
- Cover Art – Phil Jordan
- Podcast Host – John Snell
