Clifton Anderson, born October 5, 1957 in Harlem (New York City), is an American jazz musician and trombone player. Anderson grew up in a musical family. His father was a choir director and church organist, while his mother was a pianist and singer. Clifton was a natural musician from an early age. Clifton was seven years old when he received his first trombone as a gift from Sonny Rollins, his uncle. Clifton was a student at the prestigious Fiorello LaGuardia High School of Music and Art. Clifton spent one year at State University of New York Stony Brook in 1974, studying under Dave Schechter and Simon Karasick. He completed his studies at The Manhattan School of Music and received a Bachelor of Music in 1978. He studied with John Clark, the Metropolitan Opera trombonist. He also made friends with talented musicians like Angela Bofill, Kenny Kirkland and others. Clifton started freelancing while at Manhattan School of Music. He made records and sat in on clubs. Clifton was a member of jazz groups such as the Muse, CBA Ensemble, and later Barry Harris’s 8th Avenue ensemble workshops. Clifton recorded his first date with Carlos Garnett in 1976. He was a well-known trombonist in Manhattan by the end of his senior year. Janis Robinson, a Manhattan student who had heard that Slide Hampton was creating a trombone choir recommended Clifton to Slide. Janis Robinson, Steve Turre and Earl McIntyre formed the original “World of Trombones”, which also included Clifford Adams and Doug Purviance. Papo Vazquez and Clifton Anderson were also involved. Robin Eubanks and Clarence Banks joined the distinguished trombone choir along with Frank Lacy, Conrad Herwig and Conrad Herwig. Clifton had the opportunity to learn from and play alongside top trombonists, such as Britt Woodman and Benny Powell. However, J.J. Johnson remained Clifton’s greatest influence on trombone playing. Clifton met J.J. Johnson in 1979 when Slide Hampton suggested that he accompany him to J.J. Johnson’s record-setting Pinnacles performance. “Meeting J.J. was an amazing experience that I will never forget.” Clifton worked with a number of musical giants in the 1980s. These included Clifford Jordan and Clifford Tyner, Stevie Wonder, Dizzy Gilespie, Merv Griffin, Merv Griffin, and The Mighty Sparrow, to Lester Bowie, Paul Simon and Muhal Richard Abrams. Clifton was also a part of the Broadway shows Dreamgirls, and Nine. Clifton was invited to join his uncle Sonny Rollins in 1983. Clifton was a member Sonny’s band from that point on. Clifton has toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia and Canada with him. Clifton also appears on ten Sonny Rollins albums. Clifton was involved in the 2005 production of Sonny Rollins’ album, Without a Song. The 9/11 Concert. Clifton produced four albums for Sonny’s Doxy Records label: Sonny, Please, the DVD, Sonny Rollins In Vienne, Road Shows Vol. Clifton’s Decade. Clifton was the Doxy label manager between 2006 and 2009. He also managed OLEO, LLC, Sonny’s merchandising business. Clifton is a musician, administrator, and has also taught in academia and privately. From 1999 to 2001, he was Duke University’s artist in residence. Clifton’s 1997 debut recording was his first as a producer/leader on the Milestone label. It was titled Landmarks and received international critical acclaim. It also reached the top ten on US Jazz radio’s play lists. Clifton returned to the studio at the end of 2007 as a producer and leader, making Decade his first recorded in about ten years. Clifton’s live performances and Decade received rave reviews. Clifton was nominated for “Trombonist of the Year” by The American Jazz Journalists Association in 2009. Clifton quit Sonny’s band in 2009 to lead his own group. Clifton returned to the studio in September 2011 for his third album as a leader. We continue with a stellar line-up of guest artists, who are also his friends. The featured friends — Monty Alexander, Kenny Garrett, soprano saxophonist, and pianist, as well as Wallace Roney, trumpeter Wallace Roney and Kimati Dinizulu, and Victor See Yuen and Steve Jordan, respectively – seamlessly blended with Clifton’s working band, Eric Wyatt, Donald Vega and Essiet Essiet, to create a musical blueprint that will inspire hope, renewal, and continuing on. Musicians immediately reacted to the highly anticipated recording. “People are increasingly facing turmoil, uncertainty, and crisis. I wanted music that lifts people up and gives them hope for the future.” We carry on was released by Daywood Drive Records on September 25, 2012 and distributed worldwide via BFM Digital. It is also available on Clifton Anderson’s website: http://cliftonanderson.biz/clifton-store.html from wikipedia
