Clay Jenkins
Jazz Program (Trumpet)

Clay Jenkins performed as a member of the Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, and Count Basie Orchestras before he joined the Eastman School of Music faculty in September 2000 as Associate Professor of Jazz Trumpet. Clay has performed and recorded with many different jazz artists including Milt Jackson, Benny Carter, Snooky Young, Harold Danko, Reggie Thomas, Rich Perry, Dick Oates, Randy Brecker, Diana Krall, Dr. John, Joe Williams, Peter Erskine, Joe La Barbera, Steve Houghton, Billy Mintz, and Kim Richmond. He is a charter member of The Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and continues to record and tour with that award-winning ensemble.

In addition to his career as a jazz performer, Jenkins has taught at numerous schools and colleges including The Foundation for the Junior Blind (Los Angeles), The Colburn School of Performing Arts, The University of Southern California, and California Institute of the Arts. He has conducted clinics and workshops in the United States and abroad including the countries of South Africa, Japan, Italy, Germany, South Korea, and the former Soviet Union.

Among his numerous recording credits, Jenkins has recorded two projects with “Trio East” (along with Jeff Campbell and Rich Thompson), three projects with the “Kim Richmond/Clay Jenkins Ensemble, and six solo recordings. His latest project, “Blues State” was released in April on the “Jazz Compass” label. He is joined on that recording by Harold Danko (piano), Larry Koonse (guitar), Tom Warrington (bass), and Joe La Barbera (drums).

Clay plays an “Edwards Generation II” Trumpet and is a performing artist for the Edwards Instrument Company.

Jazz Program
Jazz Program, Faculty