Gene Bertoncini & Clay Jenkins Duo

JAZZ at KITANO - 66 Park Ave., NYC (at 38th St.)

Gene Bertoncini & Clay  Jenkins Duo

Wed., May 11th 

Gene Bertoncini - guitar
Clay Jenkins - trumpet

One of the more elegant, tasteful, and sensitive guitarists, Gene Bertoncini has perfected the art of playing soft, sentimental music and presenting it in a light, fluid fashion, yet retaining a degree of feeling and spontaneity. He began on guitar at nine and was a professional at 16, playing on a children's television show. Bertoncini took architecture at Notre Dame rather than music, though he later returned to full-time playing. He played with a group led by Buddy Rich  that also included Mike Mainieri  and Sam Most  . Bertoncini worked with Clark Terry , Paul Winter, Nancy Wilson, and in the television orchestras of Merv Griffin and Skitch Henderson in the '60s. He also backed Tony Bennett  and worked with the Metropolitan Opera House orchestra. During the '70s, Bertoncini  played with Wayne Shorter  and Charles McPherson , then formed a duo with Mike Moore. They've played and recorded together over parts of two decades, with Bertoncini  selecting the material and writing arrangements. Their performances blend classical, light (not "lite") jazz, Latin, and popular material. Bertoncini and Moore were joined by Michael Urbaniak  in a trio date in 1981, and he's also led workshops and taught at the Eastman School and is currently on the faculty at William Patterson University. Bertoncini has recorded for Stash, Chiaroscuro, and Omisound.- Ron Wynn All Music Guide


Clay Jenkins career as a performer began at an early age playing with the Stan Kenton Orchestra in 1977-78. He moved to Los Angeles in 1978 and from there he toured with the Buddy Rich Band, and the Count Basie Orchestra. Since moving to Rochester, NY, to join the Eastman faculty in 2000, Clay has remained active throughout the United States and abroad. Clay continues to perform and record with the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, of which he is a charter member. Clay has released 8 solo recordings including his latest release on "Jazz Compass," “Good Signs." Other jazz artists Clay has performed and/or recorded with include Milt Jackson, Kim Richmond, Andrew Cyrille, Bob Sheppard, Lyle Mays, Billy Childs, Peter Erskine, Steve Houghton, Rich Perry, Harold Danko, Rufus Reid, Ray Brown, Reggie Thomas, Moacir Santos, Joe La Barbera, John La Barbera, Kurt Elling, Dr. John, John Pizzarelli, Karrin Allyson, Diana Krall, Miki Coltrane, Alan Ferber, and Gen  Bertoncini. Clay is a performing artist/clinician for the Edwards Instrument Company.