Life Forum

Personnel: Gerald Clayton (vocals, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, organ); Sachal Vasandani, Gretchen Parlato (vocals); Carl Hancock Rux (spoken vocals); Logan Richardson (alto saxophone); Dayna Stephens (tenor saxophone); Ambrose Akinmusire (trumpet); Justin Brown (drums).
Audio Mixer: Seth Presant.
Liner Note Author: Gerald Clayton.
Recording information: Sear Sound, New York, NY (10/01/2012-10/03/2012).
Photographer: Devin DeHaven.
Pianist Gerald Clayton's third studio album follows up his acclaimed 2011 release, Bond: The Paris Sessions. Where last time Clayton focused primarily on a trio sound, on Life Forum he expands his musical palette by arranging for a full ensemble of musicians including such jazz luminaries as trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, saxophonists Logan Richardson and Dayna Stephens, and vocalists Gretchen Parlato and Sachal Vasandani, as well as bassist Joe Sanders and drummer Justin Brown. While still rooted in the post-bop jazz tradition, Clayton pushes the boundaries of jazz on Life Forum, exploring ever more expansive ways to play improvised music.