John Clayton to Join Midwest Young Artists Jazz Program for Jazz in January Residency

(Highwood, Il) The Midwest Young Artists (MYA) youth arts center is excited to announce that John Clayton, the Grammy Award winning jazz bassist and composer, will be working with their student jazz combos and big bands this January. John will be leading a master class in addition to performing with MYA ensembles at their annual Jazz in January events. With generous support from the C. Louis Meyer Family Foundation, the jazz program at Midwest Young Artists strives to maintain a quality of educational experience that is beyond compare.

 Every January, MYA partners with a well-known jazz luminary for several days, culminating in a concert at Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall. “MYA's Jazz Program is thrilled to host a residency with one of jazz's most dynamic bassists, composers and educators: John Clayton.” remarked Chris Madsen. MYA jazz program director Chris Madsen is also the jazz studies coordinator at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and an accomplished recording artist.

 About John Clayton: John Clayton served as the Artistic Director of Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1999 through 2001. In addition, he is Artistic Director for the Centrum Jazz Workshop in Port Townsend, Washington and was also appointed Artistic Director for the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival in 2006. John has served as the musical director of several jazz festivals including the Sarasota Jazz Festival and the Santa Fe Jazz Party. As Artistic Director of the Vail Jazz Workshop, he participates in choosing talented students from across the nation in an intensive week of learning jazz. Last year, he was also appointed as Artistic Director for the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival. Mr. Clayton is serious about education and renowned for his work in teaching the next generation of jazz greats.The event kicks off at the North Shore Jazz Festival at Glenbrook South High School (4000 W. Lake Avenue, Glenview, IL) with a 12pm-1pm: performance/workshop with MYA's Merit Combo and a 2-3pm open master class. At 6:30 pm there will be a performance with MYA's five combos at the Midwest Young Artists facility, 878 Lyster Rd, Highwood, IL. The final Jazz in January event will be a concert at Ravinia which will take place on January 19th at 4pm in Bennett Gordon Hall, and features MYA big bands with John Clayton. Tickets are available at: www.mya.org/store/tickets.php, and a student discount is available.

 For more information, please contact MYA jazz coordinator Matthew at: Matthew@mya.org or call: 847-926-9898. Web:  www.mya.org, wmya.fm, facebook.com/midwestyoungartists

About MYA: Midwest Young Artists is a top rated youth music ensemble programs in the Midwest and represents some of the best young musicians in the country. The program offers exceptional training in jazz, choral, chamber and orchestral instruction. MYA currently reaches more than 1,000 students from 74 communities in the metropolitan Chicago area with eight youth orchestras, more than 65 chamber music ensembles, three choral groups, an all-inclusive jazz program, rock program, early childhood education, and classes in music theory and history. Students have the opportunity to travel abroad and to perform in major venues throughout Chicago and around the world. MYA graduates are accepted at the most selective conservatories, universities and colleges in the country.