John Clayton

[medjuck]

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-john-clayton-everything-lost-in-eaton-fire?attribution_id=sl:0bf4fe6a-aa4d-41f6-abd7-29cb193ff1fa&lang=en_US&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

is a John Clayton Go Fund me.  This is a letter he wrote: 

 don’t even know where or how to begin.

Thank you. That’s the perfect place. I really mean: Thank You!

Your checking on me and my family, sending the support you have, wondering about me/us, and being the best family, friends, and friends-like-family is life and soul saving in ways that you can’t imagine. In fact, every time I get a message from you, it brings tears. Expressions of caring and love always do that to me. And I’m not apologetic about it—not that I could change, anyway.

Whew.

That’s “whew” #1.

Last Wednesday, January 8th, I was honored to receive the Bruce Lundvall Visionary Award from the Jazz Congress in NYC. My wife and I flew there and Gerald presented the award to me. Before heading over for the event, we received a call in our hotel room from my daughter. She was sobbing, crying hysterically, telling us that they had lost everything. The Altadena fire had destroyed their house and everything in it. We knew they had evacuated, so she and her husband and our 2 grandchildren were safe. I’ve never been so thankful in my life.

I had to work to be in the moment at the award ceremony. I dug as deeply as I could to focus on everyone’s energy and the positivity centered around me as the awardee. It was a fabulous event.

We returned to the hotel to check in with family. Soon after our return, a neighbor and former student of my brother, Jeff, called. He went to check on our house. He had to take deep breaths in order to break the news to us. In tears, he let is know that “it is gone.” We had lost everything.

We were stunned. Some tears were shed, but nothing like what was to come.

One hour later, I had to return to Jazz At Lincoln Center for the tribute to Russell Malone. Back to directing my focus to the purpose and vibe for being there.

I didn’t go back to the hotel because son Gerald led an evening that was a continuation of the earlier part of the day. I was being “honored” and musicians I know and love played their hearts out. It was a day of simultaneous celebration and grief.

************

We are now in L.A.

My home in Altadena is completely gone. Also consumed by the fire are all of my instruments (yes. I know. That alone is hard to fathom), a lifetime of printed music, scores, recordings, compositions—family photos (although, thank goodness for The Cloud), every item of clothing, I’m sure you get the picture. And those are just some things related to me. My wife and children also lost so much, of course.

But we have each other. I don’t care how cliche that sounds. We. Have. Each. Other.

All of the practical things after such a disaster are now happening. Like thousands of others, we’re talking with insurance companies, canceling things and organizing endlessly. We have rented an AirBnB and will be here for less 2 weeks. I’ll then begin some engagements, first with The Jazz Cruise and then to Cologne with the WDR Big Band. I’ll be home after that for a couple of days and then off again. Needless to say, I’ll be working on life and house tasks from long distance as we continue to sort out our next moves.

I still haven’t seen the property. They aren’t allowing people in just yet.

**************

You have been asking what you can do.

You’ve done it already.

You continue to do it.

The love you show for me and my family affects me in ways that I can’t truly convey to you. You already know I’m a crybaby. I’m sad and devastated about my house—that’s another kind of crying. The tears that you bring are tears of overwhelming gratitude and thankfulness that you are in my life. That you ask about me. That you want to know what you can DO to help me.

It’s hard to write these emotions. I can’t do it without blurring up.

It’s now a daily occurrence, hearing from you and realizing how strong and vast my family is. Thank you, thank you.

Oh, right—you've been asking what you can do.

As I pursue the items that help me live and make music, I know deep down that things will be alright. They’ll come together. I’m working toward that. There are people who are completely done in by these fires. If you know people like that, please focus on them!

If you want to help my situation, financially, feel free to do so. I’m honored that you would even consider it. All dollars will help my family and me. We are sorting things out and will soon have a better understanding of how and what to replace, including instruments, temporary housing, whether to rebuild, etc. Many of you have already given to the fund to help my daughter, Gina. Thank you, if you have. Don’t feel obliged to give or to give again, please. To reiterate, anything you choose to donate will be put to use. Understand that your love and concern for us is more valuable than any dollar amount.

So, dear family, friends, friends-as-close-as-family, I absolutely adore you. Please feel me/us returning the love you’ve shown me.

Endless love from your fan,

John

[Peter Friedman]

Wow, difficult to even read this post.

I have seen John Clayton perform countless times over many years. He is a top level bass player, a terrific educator, and a true gentleman. 

It is difficult to even imagine what it is like to lose so much.

[ghost of miles]

Absolutely devastating. I was at both of the Jazz Congress events that he mentions, and he seemed his usual good-hearted, consummate-pro self. He’s an Indiana University jazz alum, so I’m going to talk up the GoFundMe page on my show this afternoon (and will donate to it myself). The loss in Los Angeles is overwhelming to contemplate.

45 minutes ago, Peter Friedman said:

Wow, difficult to even read this post.

I have seen John Clayton perform countless times over many years. He is a top level bass player, a terrific educator, and a true gentleman. 

It is difficult to even imagine what it is like to lose so much.

Second all of this. I’ve met and talked with him only once, when he was out here to lead IU’s spring jazz concert a few years ago, and he was one of the most congenial, gracious and talented musician educators I’ve ever met. Very worthy of the award he received last week.

[clifford_thornton]

Heavy. Glad he and his family are safe, but Jesus... it's unimaginable. 

[Kevin Bresnahan]

This is terrible news. So many lost so much. I keep reading all the horror stories of families who lost everything except the clothes on their back.

BTW, regarding fund raising efforts, I saw a news report this morning that said that all of these Go Fund Me events have resulted in a statement from FEMA that basically says that any monies raised by a Go Fund Me page will offset any aid from FEMA.

I have no idea how that affects John Clayton's Go Fund Me.

[clifford_thornton]

FEMA has a fairly low cap.

https://abc7.com/post/southern-california-wildfires-la-county-provides-clarity-after-fire-relief-applicants-receive-fema-response-saying-not-approved/15799735/

[medjuck]

3 hours ago, ghost of miles said:

Absolutely devastating. I was at both of the Jazz Congress events that he mentions, and he seemed his usual good-hearted, consummate-pro self. He’s an Indiana University jazz alum, so I’m going to talk up the GoFundMe page on my show this afternoon (and will donate to it myself). The loss in Los Angeles is overwhelming to contemplate.

Second all of this. I’ve met and talked with him only once, when he was out here to lead IU’s spring jazz concert a few years ago, and he was one of the most congenial, gracious and talented musician educators I’ve ever met. Very worthy of the award he received last week.

Amongst the things he lost were Ray Brown's bass and Milt Hinton's bow.

[sgcim]

There were a lot more Jazz guys from LA that lost their houses, according to a friend of mine who used to live there. What a nightmare.

[ep1str0phy]

I meant to post this in Bobby and Roper's thread, but I might as well add here-

This is a master list of active resources and gofundmes related to the fires. If anyone wishes to help musicians who have been affected, this is a good resource: Support The Music Community - Fire Loss Funding

[mikeweil]

Words fail me ...

[Ken Dryden]

I don’t know how close John Clayton’s friend Jeff Hamilton lived to him, I am concerned.

[mikeweil]

On 1/16/2025 at 9:27 PM, medjuck said:

Amongst the things he lost were Ray Brown's bass and Milt Hinton's bow.

I once saw Ray Brown play that bass in Frankfurt, a trio with Gene Harris and Mickey Roker - beautiful sounding instrument. 

[medjuck]

7 hours ago, Ken Dryden said:

I don’t know how close John Clayton’s friend Jeff Hamilton lived to him, I am concerned.

Jeff Hamilton started the gofundme for Clayton so I presume that he's ok.

[Ken Dryden]

I didn’t realize that. I don’t use the platform. I would rather make a gift directly.

[mjazzg]

54 minutes ago, Ken Dryden said:

I didn’t realize that. I don’t use the platform. I would rather make a gift directly.

Why not use Gofundme? It's reputable and works effectively, especially in emergency circumstances like this where the beneficiaries have no longer got postal addresses and are far too busy putting their lives back together to deal with direct donations I would have thought.

Edited Saturday at 12:07 PM by mjazzg

[Ken Dryden]

I like 100% of my money going to the beneficiary, period.

I've also had some other issues with Gofundme, which I do not care to share.

[JSngry]

Drive to LA, find where he's staying, meet him at his bank, hand him the cash, and demand that he deposit it right there.

And take a picture.

[clifford_thornton]

The only thing I do re: Gofundme is not add the "tip" for operational services. Otherwise I assume the money is going to the recipient; am I wrong about this? Does Gofundme take a cut?

[sonnymax]

1 hour ago, clifford_thornton said:

The only thing I do re: Gofundme is not add the "tip" for operational services. Otherwise I assume the money is going to the recipient; am I wrong about this? Does Gofundme take a cut?

According to the Gofundme website, "It’s always free to start and manage a fundraiser on GoFundMe. To help us cover payment processing, there’s a transaction fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per donation... example: If a donor makes a $50 donation to a US fundraiser, the individual receiving funds will receive $48.25 once transaction fees (2.9% + $0.30) are deducted."

[Ken Dryden]

I used to use Venmo to pay for landscaping, at the owner’s suggestion. When I learned that they took 3%, I started writing checks again. 
 

There are options to send money where the recipient (not a business) gets it all.

[JSngry]

1 hour ago, Ken Dryden said:

I used to use Venmo to pay for landscaping, at the owner’s suggestion. When I learned that they took 3%, I started writing checks again. 
 

There are options to send money where the recipient (not a business) gets it all.

You should ask your landscaper for a 3% discount then.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

I've never had Venmo take any extra money on any of my transactions. PayPal, yes - Venmo, no.

Also, for PayPal, when you send someone money to pay for something, they get dinged for the 3%. You don't pay 3% more.

[JSngry]

3 minutes ago, Kevin Bresnahan said:

Also, for PayPal, when you send someone money to pay for something, they get dinged for the 3%. You don't pay 3% more.

You do if you choose Friends & Family or whatever it's called.

Probably not applicable for Clayton, but definitely is for landscapers and such - Zelle delivers a payment directly to the payee, no fees, hidden or otherwise.

[T.D.]

20 minutes ago, JSngry said:

You do if you choose Friends & Family or whatever it's called.

 

I often use Paypal Friends and Family and it doesn't work like that.

I send (say) $100, the payee gets $100, I pay exactly $100. The difference is that the money comes directly from my bank account rather than via other routes (say credit card).

Edited Sunday at 02:12 AM by T.D.

[Ken Dryden]

1 hour ago, Kevin Bresnahan said:

I've never had Venmo take any extra money on any of my transactions. PayPal, yes - Venmo, no.

Also, for PayPal, when you send someone money to pay for something, they get dinged for the 3%. You don't pay 3% more.

When you pay a business for services or products, they get dinged 3%, even if it is coming straight from your bank account.