Goin' to Kansas City

Goin' to Kansas City is a vibrant and swinging journey into the heart of jazz, led by the legendary trumpeter Buck Clayton. Originally released in 1960, this album captures the essence of Kansas City's rich musical heritage, featuring Buck Clayton alongside Tommy Gwaltney's Kansas City Nine. The record is a testament to the city's unique jazz tradition, blending elements of swing, big band, and hard bop into a seamless and exhilarating musical experience.

The album opens with "Hello Babe" and closes with "The New Tulsa Blues," taking the listener through a diverse range of tracks that showcase Clayton's virtuosity and the band's tight, energetic playing. Standout tracks like "Kansas City Ballad" and "The Jumping Blues" highlight the album's infectious rhythm and melodic charm, while "Dedicated to You" offers a more introspective moment. Each song is a masterclass in jazz composition and performance, with Clayton's trumpet soaring above the ensemble's dynamic backing.

Recorded in late 1960 for the Riverside label, Goin' to Kansas City features a stellar lineup of musicians, including Dickie Wells and Charlie Byrd, who contribute to the album's rich, textured sound. The album's reissue in 2013 on the Black Sheep Music label ensures that this classic recording continues to inspire and delight jazz enthusiasts and newcomers alike. With a runtime of just 37 minutes, this album is a concise yet powerful exploration of Kansas City's jazz legacy, as interpreted by one of its most celebrated ambassadors, Buck Clayton.

Buck Clayton, born Wilbur Dorsey Clayton, was a towering figure in the world of jazz, renowned for his mastery of the trumpet and his significant contributions as a bandleader, composer, and arranger. Hailing from Kansas City, Clayton's career took off when he joined Count Basie's orchestra in 1936, quickly establishing himself as one of the pre-eminent trumpet players of the swing era. His distinctive style, heavily influenced by the legendary Louis Armstrong, made him a standout in the competitive jazz scene of the 1930s.

Throughout his illustrious career, Clayton played with some of the greatest names in jazz, including Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, and Benny Goodman. He led his own bands, notably in Shanghai, where he influenced the development of Chinese pop music. Clayton's compositions and arrangements added depth to the Count Basie Orchestra's repertoire, and his recordings with the Basie band remain classics of the genre.

In the post-swing era, Clayton continued to innovate, working with traditional jazz musicians and even touring extensively in the 1980s, despite facing health challenges that limited his trumpet playing. His legacy endures through his recordings and his influence on generations of musicians, making Buck Clayton a beloved and enduring figure in the history of jazz.