New Release: Clay About Time from John Clay

 

Clay About Time from John Clay
Label: ClayTone Music
Release Date: January 23, 2026
Artist Website: www.johnclaymusic.com

Jazz drummer and leader John Clay offers uplifting interpretations of a handful of daydreamy-themed jazz standards on his recording About Time, including "Alice In Wonderland," written by  Sammy Fain and Bob Hilliard, and "You Must Believe in Spring" from Michel Legrand.  Both are elegantly arranged and smoothly designed, bringing out the genteel demeanor of Clay's band.  The creamy suppleness of Matt Garrison's saxophone and the billowy solo of trumpet player Shunzo Ohno give Wayne Shorter's composition "Rio" a sultry flicker, while the pair indulge in exotic textures along "Dubai," penned by Billy Drummond.  The splashing tremors of Clay's drumming and the rustling beats of bassist Sean Conly support Enrique Haneine's frolicking keys through the track.  The relaxing, after-hours vibe sewn through Fred Hersch's piece "Lark" is reminiscent of the urbane strokes of Paul Desmond and the West Coast cool jazz luster of David Brubeck.  Garrison, Ohno, and Haneine splay bubbly anecdotes along Chick Corea's groove-driven number "Humpty Dumpty," shifting to a rhumba sway along Alan Pasqua's romantically imbued "Highway," featuring the graceful chanting of vocalist Ruby Pucillo.  Clay says about the recording in a press release, "I wanted About Time to be an album that is not a one-play wonder but rather one that encourages repeated listening and makes the listener feel good. I hope you enjoy!"  He created a listening experience that sparks the desire for refills.