John Clay is an in-demand musical veteran, praised for his creativity, fluid rhythmic feel and ability to play diverse musical styles.

John grew up in Louisville, KY playing in local bands from the age of 13. While still in high school, he found himself on stage backing Bill Withers in front of 35,000 attendees at the largest benefit concert in Kentucky. At the age of 24, John was playing regularly with guitar legend Jimmy Raney as well as master educator Jamey Aebersold, and recording one of Jamey’s best selling play-along records Getting It Together.

Moving to New York at the age of 25, John continued to work with Raney along with bassists Michael Moore, Chuck Israel, Dennis Irwin and others around New York City. Months later, John began work with Zoot Sims, along with Jimmy Rowles and Michael Moore, playing top jazz venues like The Village Vanguard, Fat Tuesdays, Rick’s Cafe and many others. John recorded with Zoot at RCA Recording Studios, releasing 3 Pablo Today albums including a compilation record with Zoot, Sara Vaughn, Clark Terry and Quadrant, A Celebration of Duke.

John’s work became more diverse playing with the east coast fusion band C’est What including recording 2 albums, touring the east coast, most notably playing the Saratoga Jazz Festival and NYC’s Blue Note. He went on to a 3 year national reunion tour with Soul/R&B band The Main Ingredient. John also twice toured the midwest with Mike Steinel’s band featuring Jerry Bergonzi while the group conducted college and high school clinics.

Most recently, John was a member of Shunzo Ohno’s Collective with many performances around Westchester County, NY.

Other performances and/or recordings have included distinguished musicians i.e. Jimmy Rowles, Don Friedman, Steve Kuhn, Teddy Wilson, Jaki Byard, Harold Mabern, Steve Adelson, Bernie Williams, Gil Parris, Tim Armacost, David Janeway, Sarah Cion, Harvie S, Will Lee, Mike Stern, Steve Laspina, Guilherme Franco, Don Alias, Gerry Niewood, Billy Martin, Lew Soloff, Nelson Rangell, Cliff Korman, Enrique Haneine and many others.

John currently lives in the New York City suburbs and enjoys performing regularly in the tri-state area.