JAZZ REVIEW : CLAYTON-HAMILTON AT HYATT

The launching of a new big jazz orchestra calls for courage, a library of arrangements and time to rehearse. An ensemble put together by the bassist John Clayton, with the drummer Jeff Hamilton as co-leader and featuring Clayton’s compositions and arrangements, fell somewhat short at the Hyatt Sunset’s Silver Screen Room in the first of two Monday evening dates; there had clearly been insufficient preparation.

The 18-man band includes several highly competent musicians: the trumpeters Bobby Bryant, Snooky Young, Oscar Brashear and Bob Summers; the trombonists Ira Nepus, Thurman Green, Buster Cooper and Maurice Spears, five saxophonists led by Clayton’s brother Jeff on alto, and a rhythm section that includes a guitar, instilling a somewhat Basie-like coloration.

Clayton, an alumnus of Basie and of the Amsterdam Philharmonic, is a personable figure who spends most of his time conducting--regrettably, since he is an admirable bassist, as he demonstrated in his one solo number. For the most part, he delegated the bass work to Luther Hughes.

Much of what was heard during the first set opening night was chosen unimaginatively. Out of eight numbers, four were overworked standards such as “Lady Be Good” and “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” and three were blues. In one of the latter, Clayton took top honors, moving from deep indigo to a soaring, swirling royal blue groove with the band backing him up in a well-built climax.

The brass teamwork was superior to that of the saxes, whose lack of cohesion underlined the need for additional woodshedding. Given Clayton’s admirable credentials and Hamilton’s strong support, the band soon should be able to work itself into swinging good shape.