Pete Christlieb, Saxophone, 1945, Los Angeles, CA
Pete, coming from a musical family, studied the violin during the 1950s. He took up the tenor sax when he was 13 years old and by the mid '60s he was working with Si Zentner, Jerry Gray, and Chet Baker. During the same period he started an association with Louie Bellson that lasted into the late '80s. He was also active in film and television studios. He was, as well, a regular member of Doc Severinsen's Tonight Show Band. In jazz, Pete has worked for Count Basie, Quincy Jones, Billy May, Eddie Sauter, Benny Goodman, Mel Lewis, Shelly Manne, Gene Ammons, and numerous others. In the 1980s he formed his own group and also launched a record company that issued recordings by many of the groups he had previously played with as a sideman. Pete's playing was influenced by Sonny Rollins and Zoot Sims. He is also a convincing interpreter of the blues. Because he is so proficient on the reed instruments, he is always in demand for studio work.
Bill Doggett, Piano/Organ, 1916, Philadelphia, PA
Bill led his own band in 1938 and toured with Lucky Millinder. He also recorded with Millinder and with Jimmy Mundy during this period. In the mid '40s Bill was pianist and arranger for the popular group, The Ink Spots. He next worked as a freelance and recorded with Jimmy Rushing and Illinois Jacquet. In 1949 he joined Louis Jordan. It was during this association that he took up the organ, influenced by Wild Bill Davis. Doggett left Jordan in1951 and achieved considerable success as a rhythm-and-blues musician. Several of his recordings became hits. He continued to lead his own groups into the 1980's, performing in this country and touring Europe. Bill's early style as an organist did much to popularize the instrument. He is also a highly capable swing pianist.
Jeff Clayton, Alto saxophone, 1955, Venice, CA
Jeff 's musical education began at a local Baptist church in Venice, where his mother was the pianist and conductor of the choir. He played various reed instruments but finally settled on the alto sax. In high school and college he actually studied the oboe and flute. He dropped out of college to go on the road with Stevie Wonder. After his gig with Wonder ended he worked as a freelance with such artists as Gladys Knight, Kenny Rogers, Patty Labelle, and Michael Jackson. Although Jeff continued working in orchestras backing singers, during the 1980s he gradually shifted to a more jazz-oriented career, playing with Count Basie, Thad Jones, Juggernaut, Woody Herman, Monty Alexander, Ray Brown, and many others. He also played on several movie soundtracks. Jeff and his brother, John, are also active in a big-band co-led with Jeff Hamilton. Although Jeff has a distinctive style of his own, it is obvious that he was influenced by Johnny Hodges and Cannonball Adderley. Clayton teaches, conducts clinics, and writes. He has recently played classical music with the Icelandic Philharmonic Orchestra. During the 1990s Jeff continued to be active, playing with his own group and with other leaders.
Machito, Bandleader, 1912, Tampa, FL
