CLAYTON, Wilbur "Buck".

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Fine inscribed vintage promotional photograph. From the collection of Rolling Stones drummer and jazz aficionado Charlie Watts, with his posthumous bookplate: inscribed "Good luck, sincerely, "Buck" Clayton, to Bernard Baker" and dated "20/1/61". This is a fine promotional photograph, moody and romantic, of one of the pre-eminent trumpeters of the Swing Era, from the studio of acclaimed jazz and celebrity photographer, William "PoPsie" Randolph.Clayton (1911- 1991) came to fame in 1936 as the lead trumpeter in the Count Basie Band. In the 1950s he recorded several classic jam sessions for Columbia, produced by John Hammond, which helped to revitalize what critic Stanley Dance dubbed "mainstream" jazz, music made by a generation of often overlooked great players, caught between the traditionalist and modernist styles. Hampered by chronic lip problems, Clayton was eventually forced to retire from playing in the 1970s, but as a gifted composer, arranger and band leader stayed active in jazz for the rest of his life.The recipient, Bernard Baker, is almost certainly the musician of that name who recorded with the Victor Orchestra in the 20s and became principal trumpet of the NBC Symphony Orchestra in the early 40s. Benny Baker, as he was known, "was one of a handful of trumpet players with a reliable high register. He was equally at home and in demand by both the classical orchestras and the big bands." (contribution on music-makers-trumpet Google group). Like Clayton, lip proble

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