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{{About|the BBC radio host and jazz critic|the American blues singer|Doctor Clayton{{!}}Doctor Clayton}}
{{About|the BBC radio presenter and jazz critic|the British archaeologist and numismatist|Peter A. Clayton|the American blues singer|Doctor Clayton{{!}}Doctor Clayton}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2015}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- For individuals; see Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| name = Peter Clayton
| name = Peter Clayton
| image =
| image =
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption =
| image_size =
| birth_name = Peter James Clayton
| background = non_performing_personnel
| birth_name =
| alias =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1927|06|25}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1927|06|25}}
| birth_place = [[Sydenham]], London
| birth_place = [[Sydenham, London]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1991|08|10|1927|06|25}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1991|08|10|1927|06|25}}
| death_place = [[Sydenham]], London
| death_place = [[Sydenham, London]]
| origin =
| instrument =
| genre =
| occupation = Broadcaster, jazz critic, author
| occupation = Broadcaster, jazz critic, author
| years_active =
| years_active = 1950s–1991
| label_name =
| label =
| associated_acts =
| website = <!-- {{Url|www.example.com}} -->
| website = <!-- {{Url|www.example.com}} -->
| notable_instruments =
}}
}}
'''Peter James Clayton''' (25 June 1927, [[Sydenham]], London – 10 August 1991, [[Sydenham]], London)<ref name="Eng & Wales death index" /> was an English jazz presenter on BBC radio, jazz critic, and author. From October 1968 until his death in August 1991, Clayton presented jazz recordings, interviews, studio performances, and live performances on [[BBC Radio 1]], [[BBC Radio 2|2]], and [[BBC Radio 3|3]], as well as the [[BBC World Service]]. He co-authored several books about music and jazz with [[Peter Gammond]] and was a frequent contributor to jazz magazines.<ref name="Guardian 2012 Nov 14" /><ref name="Oxford Press obit" /><ref name="Clayton photo" />
'''Peter James Clayton''' (25 June 1927 – 10 August 1991)<ref name="Eng & Wales death index" /> was an English jazz presenter on [[BBC Radio]], jazz critic, and author. From October 1968 until his death in August 1991, Clayton presented jazz recordings, interviews, studio performances, and live performances on [[BBC Radio 1]], [[BBC Radio 2|2]], and [[BBC Radio 3|3]], as well as the [[BBC World Service]]. He co-authored several books about music and jazz with [[Peter Gammond]] and was a frequent contributor to jazz magazines.<ref name="Guardian 2012 Nov 14" /><ref name="Oxford Press obit" /><ref name="Clayton photo" />


== Career ==
==Early life==
The son of a railway clerk, Clayton was educated at Aske's School in South London. One day in 1942, "when I should have been doing my homework", he recalled hearing "broadcaster [[Spike Hughes]] playing jazz on the wireless and contracted chronic Boogie Woogie, an incurable condition whose twinges flair flair up even now in certain phases of the moon."<ref name="DTel1991">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/751461793/?terms=%22Charles%20Fox%22&match=1|title=Peter Clayton|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=12 August 1991|page=17|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|url-access=subscription}}</ref> After leaving school in 1945, he served three years in the [[RAF]], serving mainly in [[Iraq]] and [[Kuwait]]. After [[Demobilisation of the British Armed Forces after the Second World War|demobilisation]] in 1948, Clayton was employed for a short while as a catering assistant with a hydroelectric scheme in the [[Scottish Highlands]] – "a [[porridge]] stirrer" was his job description – before joining the staff of [[Greenwich]] Public Library, where he remained for seven years. In 1956, he joined [[Decca Records]] as a cataloguer and migrated to writing sleeve notes. While an advertising copywriter, a job he greatly disliked, he became the editor of ''Jazz News'', a magazine run with a small editorial budget.<ref name="DTel1991" />
; Early life
After leaving school in 1945, Clayton served three years in the [[RAF]], serving mainly in [[Iraq]] and [[Kuwait]]. After [[Demobilisation of the British Armed Forces after the Second World War|demobilisation]] in 1948, Clayton was employed for a short while as a catering assistant with a hydroelectric scheme in the [[Scottish Highlands]] – "a [[porridge]] stirrer" was his job description – before joining the staff of [[Greenwich]] Public Library, where he remained for seven years. In the 1950s he worked for [[Decca Records]] as a music editor.


; Broadcast career
==Broadcasting and writing career==
After leaving [[Decca Records|Decca]], Clayton began [[Presenter|presenting]] or hosting jazz music on [[BBC]] Radio in October 1968, with a programme called ''Jazz on One'' which was broadcast on 247 metres (1215&nbsp;kHz) [[medium wave]] on Sunday evenings.
BBC producer Teddy Warwick gave Clayton his first opportunity to broadcast on BBC Radio in 1962 and soon became a regular broadcaster.<ref name="DTel1991" /> He presented jazz music on [[BBC Radio 1]] (then on 247 metres (1215&nbsp;kHz) [[medium wave]]) from October 1968, with a programme called ''Jazz on One'' which was broadcast on Sunday evenings.


Clayton began to present ''Jazz Notes'' in 1970. In October 1973, the BBC launched Clayton's best remembered jazz programme, ''Sounds of Jazz,'' Sundays at 10 pm, with its own theme music composed by [[Laurie Johnson]].<ref>[http://www.radiorewind.co.uk/sounds/theme_clayton_sounds_jazz.mp3 "Theme to ''Sounds of Jazz"'']</ref> His also presented a Sunday programme on Radio 2, ''Album Time''.<ref name="DTel1991" />
In 1970, the BBC reorganised the four national networks, [[BBC Radio 1|Radio 1]], [[BBC Radio 2|Radio 2]], [[BBC Radio 3|Radio 3]], and [[BBC Radio 4|Radio 4]]. Programmes from [[BBC Radio 1|Radio 1]] were moved to [[BBC Radio 2|Radio 2]], which included ''[[Family Favourites]],'' ''Late Night Extra,'' ''Night Ride'' and the Sunday night jazz shows. [[BBC Radio 2|Radio 2]] used [[VHF]] [[transmitters]] and was broadcast at 88–91 [[MHz]], [[FM broadcasting|FM]].


⚫
According to [[Alyn Shipton]] in 2012: "Throughout the 70s and 80s, Peter [Clayton] became synonymous with jazz on BBC Radio."<ref name="Guardian 2012 Nov 14" /> In addition to playing jazz records, Clayton organised and presented live jazz recordings with studio audiences, with sets lasting about 30 minutes recorded at [[Maida Vale Studios|BBC's Maida Vale Studios]] in London during the week. Frequent artists included clarinetist [[Dave Shepherd]] and his quintet, pianist [[Colin Purbrook]] (1936–1999), pianist [[Brian Lemon]] and his octet, tenor saxophonist [[Danny Moss]] and his wife, vocalist [[Jeanie Lambe]], and trumpeter [[Kenny Baker (trumpeter)|Kenny Baker]]. The [[Mike Westbrook Orchestra]] made several broadcasts and filled the studio.
Clayton went on in 1970 to present ''Jazz Notes.'' In October 1973, the BBC added back [[BBC Radio 1|Radio 1]] as a carrier for jazz and other shows, while continuing to carry those shows on [[BBC Radio 2|Radio 2]]. That same month, the BBC launched Clayton's best remembered programme, ''Sounds of Jazz,'' Sundays at 10 {{smallcaps|pm}}, with its own theme music composed by [[Laurie Johnson]]:
* [http://www.radiorewind.co.uk/sounds/theme_clayton_sounds_jazz.mp3 "Theme to ''Sounds of Jazz"'']


⚫
On 12 April 1974, Clayton interviewed the jazz pianist [[Oscar Peterson]] on [[BBC Radio 3]]. During the programme, Peterson performed and played some of his records.<ref name="BBC Clayton/Peterson 1974" /> Clayton interviewed [[Sarah Vaughan]] on his ''Sounds of Jazz'' programme on 11 July 1977, when Vaughan sang a tribute to the music of [[George Gershwin]].
⚫
According to [[Alyn Shipton]] in 2012, "Throughout the 70s and 80s, Peter [Clayton] became synonymous with jazz on BBC Radio."<ref name="Guardian 2012 Nov 14" /> In addition to playing jazz records, Clayton organised and [[Presenter|presented]] live jazz recordings with studio audiences, with sets lasting about 30 minutes at [[Maida Vale Studios|BBC's Maida Vale Studios]] in London during the week. Frequent artists included clarinetist [[Dave Shepherd]] and his quintet, pianist [[Colin Purbrook]] (1936–1999), pianist [[Brian Lemon]] and his octet, tenor saxophonist [[Danny Moss]] and his wife, vocalist [[Jeanie Lambe]] (born 1940), and trumpeter [[Kenny Baker (trumpeter)|Kenny Baker]]. The [[Mike Westbrook Orchestra]] made several broadcasts and filled the studio.


⚫
On [[BBC Radio 3]], he succeeded [[Steve Race]] as the presenter of the Saturday afternoon programme ''[[BBC Radio 3#Jazz Record Requests|Jazz Record Requests]]'', and played requests from an international audience on ''Jazz for the Asking'' on the [[BBC World Service]]. In a 2005 ''Jazz UK'' article about the BBC's influence on jazz in the UK, authors Brian Blain and [[John Fordham (jazz critic)|John Fordham]] stated:
; Broadcast interviews
⚫
{{blockquote|Informed presenters like the late Peter Clayton and [[Charles Fox (jazz critic)|Charles Fox]] served jazz superbly, and were looked on with real affection. For many years a long procession of bands, in all styles, made their way to the [[Maida Vale Studios|BBC's Maida Vale studios]] to record jazz, often in a near gig setting in front of enthusiastic audiences.<ref name="Jazz UK 2005 Jan"/>}}
⚫
On 12 April 1974, Clayton interviewed the [[Oscar Peterson]] on [[BBC Radio 3]]. During the programme, Peterson performed and played some of his records.<ref name="BBC Clayton/Peterson 1974" /> Clayton interviewed [[Sarah Vaughan]] on his ''Sounds of Jazz'' programme on 11 July 1977, when Vaughan sang a tribute to the music of [[George Gershwin]].

; ''Sounds of Jazz'' and ''Jazz Record Requests''
⚫
On [[BBC Radio 3]], he succeeded [[Steve Race]] as the presenter of the Saturday afternoon programme ''[[BBC Radio 3#Jazz Record Requests|Jazz Record Requests]]'', and played requests from an international audience on ''Jazz for the Asking'' on the [[BBC World Service]]. In a 2005 ''Jazz UK'' article about the BBC's influence on jazz in the UK, authors Brian Blain and [[John Fordham]] stated:

⚫
: Informed presenters like the late Peter Clayton and [[Charles Fox (jazz critic)|Charles Fox]] served jazz superbly, and were looked on with real affection. For many years a long procession of bands, in all styles, made their way to the [[Maida Vale Studios|BBC's Maida Vale studios]] to record jazz, often in a near gig setting in front of enthusiastic audiences.<ref name="Jazz UK 2005 Jan" />


When Clayton became ill from cancer, [[Charles Fox (jazz critic)|Charles Fox]] took his place in 1990. Then Fox died on 9 May 1991, and Clayton resumed the show, recording segments at home from a wheelchair.<ref name="Guardian 2012 Nov 14" /> His show ''Sounds of Jazz'' continued to be heard on [[BBC Radio 2]] until his death. When Clayton died, {{cardinal to word|{{age in days|1991|5|9|1991|8|10}}}} days after [[Charles Fox (jazz critic)|Fox]] died, [[Geoffrey Smith (radio presenter)|Geoffrey Smith]] took over.<ref name="Guardian 2012 Nov 14" />
When Clayton became ill from cancer, [[Charles Fox (jazz critic)|Charles Fox]] took his place in 1990. Then Fox died on 9 May 1991, and Clayton resumed the show, recording segments at home from a wheelchair.<ref name="Guardian 2012 Nov 14" /> His show ''Sounds of Jazz'' continued to be heard on [[BBC Radio 2]] until his death. When Clayton died, {{cardinal to word|{{age in days|1991|5|9|1991|8|10}}}} days after [[Charles Fox (jazz critic)|Fox]] died, [[Geoffrey Smith (radio presenter)|Geoffrey Smith]] took over.<ref name="Guardian 2012 Nov 14" />


⚫
Throughout his broadcasting career, Clayton wrote several books with a colleague, [[Peter Gammond]] (1925–2019). He also ghost wrote [[Vera Lynn]]'s autobiography.<ref name="DTel1991" />
; Writing
⚫
Throughout his broadcasting career, Clayton wrote several books with a colleague, Peter Gammond (born 1925).<ref name="Gammond" group=lower-alpha />


== Selected published works ==
== Selected published works ==
⚫
'''Books'''
{{ref begin|100em}}
⚫
; Books
* ''101 Things,'' by Peter Gammond & Peter Clayton, London: Elek Books (1959); {{OCLC|30246604}}
* ''101 Things,'' by Peter Gammond & Peter Clayton, London: Elek Books (1959); {{OCLC|30246604}}
* ''A Guide to Popular Music,'' by Peter Gammond & Peter Clayton, London: [[Phoenix Books|Phoenix Press]] (1960); {{OCLC|1194579|314766655}}
* ''A Guide to Popular Music,'' by Peter Gammond & Peter Clayton, London: [[Phoenix Books|Phoenix Press]] (1960); {{OCLC|1194579|314766655}}
Line 71: Line 55:
:: ''The Guinness Jazz Companion'' (rev. ed. of ''Jazz A–Z)'' (1989); {{OCLC|21118294}}
:: ''The Guinness Jazz Companion'' (rev. ed. of ''Jazz A–Z)'' (1989); {{OCLC|21118294}}
* ''14 Miles on a Clear Night: An Irreverent, Sceptical, and Affectionate Book About Jazz Records,'' by Peter Clayton & Peter Gammond, [[Greenwood Press]]
* ''14 Miles on a Clear Night: An Irreverent, Sceptical, and Affectionate Book About Jazz Records,'' by Peter Clayton & Peter Gammond, [[Greenwood Press]]
:: Originally published by the [[Jazz Book Club]], by arrangement with [[Peter Owen]]
:: Originally published by the [[Jazz Book Club]], by arrangement with [[Peter Owen Publishers|Peter Owen]]
:: [[Peter Owen]] (1965); {{OCLC|558885236}}
:: [[Peter Owen Publishers|Peter Owen]] (1965); {{OCLC|558885236}}
:: Reprint, [[Greenwood Press]] (1978); {{OCLC|3844338|164784365}}
:: Reprint, [[Greenwood Press]] (1978); {{OCLC|3844338|164784365}}


; Liner, jacket, container, and program notes
'''Liner, jacket, container, and program notes'''
* ''Tribute to Cole Porter'', [[GNP Crescendo]] GNP-9004 (1980s re-release); {{OCLC|12952589}}
* ''Tribute to Cole Porter'', [[GNP Crescendo]] GNP-9004 (1980s re-release); {{OCLC|12952589}}
* ''Count Basie; Vol. I – Great Original Performances: 1932–1938,'' CDS Records (1992); {{OCLC|50337610}}
* ''Count Basie; Vol. I – Great Original Performances: 1932–1938,'' CDS Records (1992); {{OCLC|50337610}}
Line 82: Line 66:
* ''Good Morning Rain,'' by [[Bonnie Dobson]], performer; [[Ben McPeek]], arranger, [[RCA Victor]] (1970); {{OCLC|13775385}}
* ''Good Morning Rain,'' by [[Bonnie Dobson]], performer; [[Ben McPeek]], arranger, [[RCA Victor]] (1970); {{OCLC|13775385}}


; Articles
'''Articles'''
* [http://www.chrisbarber.net/archives/jazz_beat_1964/Jazz_Beat_06_1964-1.pdf "Ten Years After: Peter Clayton Talks to Chris Barber,"] ''JazzBeat'' (magazine), Vol. 1, No. 4, June 1964, pp.&nbsp;4–5; {{ISSN|0447-631X}}, {{OCLC|503996193|752664415}}
* [http://www.chrisbarber.net/archives/jazz_beat_1964/Jazz_Beat_06_1964-1.pdf "Ten Years After: Peter Clayton Talks to Chris Barber,"] ''JazzBeat'' (magazine), Vol. 1, No. 4, June 1964, pp.&nbsp;4–5; {{ISSN|0447-631X}}, {{OCLC|503996193|752664415}}
* [http://www.peggylee.com/library/700621.html "Unsquare Peg,"] by Peter Clayton, ''[[Daily Telegraph]]'', 21 June 1970
* [http://www.peggylee.com/library/700621.html "Unsquare Peg,"] by Peter Clayton, ''[[Daily Telegraph]]'', 21 June 1970
* "All Things Bright and Betjeman," by Peter Clayton, ''[[Hi-Fi News]]'', April 1975, p.&nbsp;119; {{ISSN|0142-6230}}
* "All Things Bright and Betjeman," by Peter Clayton, ''[[Hi-Fi News]]'', April 1975, p.&nbsp;119; {{ISSN|0142-6230}}
{{ref end}}

⚫
==External links==
⚫
*[http://www.r2ok.co.uk/R2_timeline.htm Radio 2 Timeline Interview with Sarah Vaughan]
⚫
*[http://www.radiorewind.co.uk/theme_tunes_page.htm Radio Rewind – Sounds of Jazz Theme Tune]


== References ==
== References ==
⚫
'''Inline citations'''
; Notes
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha|100em|refs=
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="Gammond" group=lower-alpha>Peter Gammond (born 1925; [[Northwich]], Cheshire, [[North West England]]) is author of over forty books on [[jazz]], [[ragtime]], and the [[music-hall]], including those he co-authored with Clayton, and ''The Oxford Companion to Popular Music.'' His work in classical music includes books on [[Schubert]], [[Mozart]], [[Jacques Offenbach|Offenbach]], and [[record collecting]]. After his service with the [[Royal Armoured Corps]] during [[World War II]], and after his studies at [[Wadham College]], he joined [[Decca Records]] in 1952 as a music editor, leaving in 1960 to become a freelance writer. – Autobiographical introduction from ''[http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Day-I-Met-Myself/dp/1782819843 The Day I Met Myself: Selected Poems by Peter Gammond,]'' G2 Rights Ltd. (2014); {{OCLC|904405023}}</ref>

}}

<!--------------------------------------------------->
{{Font colour|#A9A9A9|{{repeat|–|20}}}}
⚫
; Inline citations
{{Reflist|100em|refs=


<ref name="Oxford Press obit">[http://odnb2.ifactory.com/view/article/49606 "Clayton, Peter James (1927–1991), Radio Broadcaster and Author,"] by Peter Gammond, ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography,'' [[Oxford University Press]] (1994) (retrieved 19 March 2015)<br />
<ref name="Oxford Press obit">[http://odnb2.ifactory.com/view/article/49606 "Clayton, Peter James (1927–1991), Radio Broadcaster and Author,"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402123624/http://odnb2.ifactory.com/view/article/49606 |date=2 April 2015 }} by Peter Gammond, ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography,'' [[Oxford University Press]] (1994) (retrieved 19 March 2015)<br />
{{space|4}}Obituaries:<br />
{{space|4}}Obituaries:<br />
{{space|6}}''[[The Times]],'' 12 August 1991<br />
{{space|6}}''[[The Times]],'' 12 August 1991<br />
Line 118: Line 88:
{{space|6}}Photo by [[David Redfern]], 1986, private collection of [[David Redfern]], Redferns Music Picture Library, Ltd. (acquired by [[Getty Images]] in 2008)</ref>
{{space|6}}Photo by [[David Redfern]], 1986, private collection of [[David Redfern]], Redferns Music Picture Library, Ltd. (acquired by [[Getty Images]] in 2008)</ref>


<ref name="Guardian 2012 Nov 14">[http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/nov/14/jazz-record-requests "All That Jazz,"] by [[Alyn Shipton]], ''[[The Guardian]]'' 14 November 2012</ref>
<ref name="Guardian 2012 Nov 14">[https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/nov/14/jazz-record-requests "All That Jazz,"] by [[Alyn Shipton]], ''[[The Guardian]]'' 14 November 2012</ref>


<ref name="BBC Clayton/Peterson 1974">"Encounter With Oscar Peterson: Peterson BBC Radio 3 Interview," conducted by Peter Clayton, 12 April 1974</ref>
<ref name="BBC Clayton/Peterson 1974">"Encounter With Oscar Peterson: Peterson BBC Radio 3 Interview," conducted by Peter Clayton, 12 April 1974</ref>


<ref name="Jazz UK 2005 Jan">[http://www.jazzservices.org.uk/index.php/jazz-uk-archive/item/download/11_60aa40b8af9822cece2eaf44a78497d3 "The Jazz Economy — Part 3: Radio and TV Jazz – Still the Poor Relation?"], by Brian Blain and [[John Fordham]], ''Jazz UK'', No. 61, January–February 2005, pps. 16–18; {{ISSN|1472-0728}}</ref>
<ref name="Jazz UK 2005 Jan">[http://www.jazzservices.org.uk/index.php/jazz-uk-archive/item/download/11_60aa40b8af9822cece2eaf44a78497d3 "The Jazz Economy — Part 3: Radio and TV Jazz – Still the Poor Relation?"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402145051/http://www.jazzservices.org.uk/index.php/jazz-uk-archive/item/download/11_60aa40b8af9822cece2eaf44a78497d3 |date=2 April 2015 }}, by Brian Blain and [[John Fordham (jazz critic)|John Fordham]], ''Jazz UK'', No. 61, January–February 2005, pps. 16–18; {{ISSN|1472-0728}}</ref>


}}
}}

⚫
==External links==
⚫
*[http://www.r2ok.co.uk/R2_timeline.htm Radio 2 Timeline Interview with Sarah Vaughan]
⚫
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080214051039/http://www.radiorewind.co.uk/theme_tunes_page.htm Radio Rewind – Sounds of Jazz Theme Tune]


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:English music journalists]]
[[Category:English music journalists]]
[[Category:Jazz writers]]
[[Category:Jazz writers]]
[[Category:Music historians]]
[[Category:English music historians]]
[[Category:English music historians]]
[[Category:Musicologists]]
[[Category:English musicologists]]
[[Category:English male writers]]
[[Category:English male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:20th-century British musicologists]]
[[Category:20th-century English male writers]]

Latest revision as of 20:55, 1 December 2024

This article is about the BBC radio presenter and jazz critic. For the British archaeologist and numismatist, see Peter A. Clayton. For the American blues singer, see Doctor Clayton.

Peter Clayton
Born
Peter James Clayton

(1927-06-25)25 June 1927
Sydenham, London
Died10 August 1991(1991-08-10) (aged 64)
Sydenham, London
Occupation(s)Broadcaster, jazz critic, author
Years active1950s–1991

Peter James Clayton (25 June 1927 – 10 August 1991)[1] was an English jazz presenter on BBC Radio, jazz critic, and author. From October 1968 until his death in August 1991, Clayton presented jazz recordings, interviews, studio performances, and live performances on BBC Radio 1, 2, and 3, as well as the BBC World Service. He co-authored several books about music and jazz with Peter Gammond and was a frequent contributor to jazz magazines.[2][3][4]

Early life

[edit]

The son of a railway clerk, Clayton was educated at Aske's School in South London. One day in 1942, "when I should have been doing my homework", he recalled hearing "broadcaster Spike Hughes playing jazz on the wireless and contracted chronic Boogie Woogie, an incurable condition whose twinges flair flair up even now in certain phases of the moon."[5] After leaving school in 1945, he served three years in the RAF, serving mainly in Iraq and Kuwait. After demobilisation in 1948, Clayton was employed for a short while as a catering assistant with a hydroelectric scheme in the Scottish Highlands – "a porridge stirrer" was his job description – before joining the staff of Greenwich Public Library, where he remained for seven years. In 1956, he joined Decca Records as a cataloguer and migrated to writing sleeve notes. While an advertising copywriter, a job he greatly disliked, he became the editor of Jazz News, a magazine run with a small editorial budget.[5]

Broadcasting and writing career

[edit]

BBC producer Teddy Warwick gave Clayton his first opportunity to broadcast on BBC Radio in 1962 and soon became a regular broadcaster.[5] He presented jazz music on BBC Radio 1 (then on 247 metres (1215 kHz) medium wave) from October 1968, with a programme called Jazz on One which was broadcast on Sunday evenings.

Clayton began to present Jazz Notes in 1970. In October 1973, the BBC launched Clayton's best remembered jazz programme, Sounds of Jazz, Sundays at 10 pm, with its own theme music composed by Laurie Johnson.[6] His also presented a Sunday programme on Radio 2, Album Time.[5]

According to Alyn Shipton in 2012: "Throughout the 70s and 80s, Peter [Clayton] became synonymous with jazz on BBC Radio."[2] In addition to playing jazz records, Clayton organised and presented live jazz recordings with studio audiences, with sets lasting about 30 minutes recorded at BBC's Maida Vale Studios in London during the week. Frequent artists included clarinetist Dave Shepherd and his quintet, pianist Colin Purbrook (1936–1999), pianist Brian Lemon and his octet, tenor saxophonist Danny Moss and his wife, vocalist Jeanie Lambe, and trumpeter Kenny Baker. The Mike Westbrook Orchestra made several broadcasts and filled the studio.

On 12 April 1974, Clayton interviewed the jazz pianist Oscar Peterson on BBC Radio 3. During the programme, Peterson performed and played some of his records.[7] Clayton interviewed Sarah Vaughan on his Sounds of Jazz programme on 11 July 1977, when Vaughan sang a tribute to the music of George Gershwin.

On BBC Radio 3, he succeeded Steve Race as the presenter of the Saturday afternoon programme Jazz Record Requests, and played requests from an international audience on Jazz for the Asking on the BBC World Service. In a 2005 Jazz UK article about the BBC's influence on jazz in the UK, authors Brian Blain and John Fordham stated:

Informed presenters like the late Peter Clayton and Charles Fox served jazz superbly, and were looked on with real affection. For many years a long procession of bands, in all styles, made their way to the BBC's Maida Vale studios to record jazz, often in a near gig setting in front of enthusiastic audiences.[8]

When Clayton became ill from cancer, Charles Fox took his place in 1990. Then Fox died on 9 May 1991, and Clayton resumed the show, recording segments at home from a wheelchair.[2] His show Sounds of Jazz continued to be heard on BBC Radio 2 until his death. When Clayton died, ninety-three days after Fox died, Geoffrey Smith took over.[2]

Throughout his broadcasting career, Clayton wrote several books with a colleague, Peter Gammond (1925–2019). He also ghost wrote Vera Lynn's autobiography.[5]

Selected published works

[edit]

Books

  • 101 Things, by Peter Gammond & Peter Clayton, London: Elek Books (1959); OCLC 30246604
  • A Guide to Popular Music, by Peter Gammond & Peter Clayton, London: Phoenix Press (1960); OCLC 1194579, 314766655
  • Dictionary of Popular Music, by Peter Gammond & Peter Clayton, Philosophical Library (1961); OCLC 851041
  • Know about Jazz, by Peter Gammond & Peter Clayton, London: Blackie and Son (1963); OCLC 7955794
Bluffer Media Limited
  • Bluff Your Way in Jazz, by Peter Clayton & Peter Gammond
1st ed., Ravette Books (1987)
2nd ed., London: Oval Books (1999); OCLC 42874470
  • The Bluffer's Guide to Jazz, by Peter Clayton, Peter Gammond, John Lewis, London: Oval Books
3rd ed. (2002); OCLC 52159469
4th ed. (2007); OCLC 520448730, 905203381
The Guinness Jazz Companion (rev. ed. of Jazz A–Z) (1989); OCLC 21118294
  • 14 Miles on a Clear Night: An Irreverent, Sceptical, and Affectionate Book About Jazz Records, by Peter Clayton & Peter Gammond, Greenwood Press
Originally published by the Jazz Book Club, by arrangement with Peter Owen
Peter Owen (1965); OCLC 558885236
Reprint, Greenwood Press (1978); OCLC 3844338, 164784365

Liner, jacket, container, and program notes

Articles

References

[edit]

Inline citations

  1. ^ "Peter James Clayton," England and Wales, Death Registration Index 1837–2007
  2. ^ a b c d "All That Jazz," by Alyn Shipton, The Guardian 14 November 2012
  3. ^ "Clayton, Peter James (1927–1991), Radio Broadcaster and Author," Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine by Peter Gammond, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press (1994) (retrieved 19 March 2015)
        Obituaries:
          The Times, 12 August 1991
          Daily Telegraph, 12 August 1991
          By Steve Voce, The Independent, 13 August 1991
          By Peter Gammond, The Guardian, 14 August 1991
  4. ^ Photos of Clayton
          Photo by Val Wilmer, 1962
          Photo by David Redfern, 1986, private collection of David Redfern, Redferns Music Picture Library, Ltd. (acquired by Getty Images in 2008)
  5. ^ a b c d e "Peter Clayton". The Daily Telegraph. 12 August 1991. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Theme to Sounds of Jazz"
  7. ^ "Encounter With Oscar Peterson: Peterson BBC Radio 3 Interview," conducted by Peter Clayton, 12 April 1974
  8. ^ "The Jazz Economy — Part 3: Radio and TV Jazz – Still the Poor Relation?" Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine, by Brian Blain and John Fordham, Jazz UK, No. 61, January–February 2005, pps. 16–18; ISSN 1472-0728
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Peter_Clayton&oldid=1260633344"