Gerald Clayton, a six-time Grammy-nominated pianist, composer, and band leader, recently gained recognition from the Recording Academy for his debut release on Blue Note Records, Happening: Live at the Village Vanguard. With an impressive career collaborating with distinguished artists like Diana Krall, Roy Hargrove, and Charles Lloyd, Clayton's musical journey is marked by excellence. Currently serving as the director of Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, he previously held the role of musical director for the Monterey Jazz Festival On Tour. Clayton, shaped by the mentorship of Billy Childs and Kenny Barron, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance from USC's Thornton School of Music.

Honoring his father's legacy, bassist-composer John Clayton, Gerald Clayton's creative spirit extends to commissioned works like rendering the Piedmont Blues experience and composing for Charles White's mural at LACMA. His critically-acclaimed score for the documentary MLK/FBI reflects a profound emotional resonance, enriching the film with nuanced moments of struggle and humanity. Clayton's diverse contributions underscore his position as a dynamic force in the world of jazz and composition.