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Clifton Anderson

Clifton Anderson was born on October 5, 1957 in Harlem, New York City. He grew up surrounded by music. His father was a church organist /choir director, and his mother a singer and pianist. It was no surprise that Clifton exhibited an affinity for music at an early age. When he was just seven years old he got his first trombone, a gift from his uncle Sonny Rollins.

Clifton attended the prestigious Fiorello LaGuardia High School of Music and Art. In 1974 he spent one year at The State University of New York at Stony Brook studying under Simon Karasick and Dave Schechter. He continued his education at the Manhattan School of Music, and graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor of Music degree. At The Manhattan School, he studied under the renowned Metropolitan Opera trombonist John Clark. There he also met and befriended talented musicians like Angela Bofill and the late Kenny Kirkland.

While at Manhattan School of Music, Clifton began freelancing around New York City and made his first record date with Carlos Garnett in 1976. By his senior year at Manhattan he had established himself as one of the young in demand trombonists in New York. It was around that time that Slide Hampton formed the original World of Trombones, the group that would become the standard by which all jazz trombone choirs were measured. The group included Janice Robinson, Steve Turre, Earl McIntyre, Clifford Adams, Doug Purviance, Papo Vazquez, and Clifton along with residencies from Curtis Fuller, Britt Woodman and Benny Powell. Later additions to the prestigious trombone choir included Robin Eubanks, Clarence Banks, Frank Lacy, Conrad Herwig, Bob Trowers Garfield Fobbs and Malion Walker.

Clifton has worked with a “who’s who” of diverse musical giants: from Frank Foster, McCoy Tyner, Clifford Jordan, Stevie Wonder, Dizzy Gillespie, Merv Griffin and The Mighty Sparrow to Lester Bowie, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Paul Simon, Terumasa Hino, Keith Richards, Muhal Richard Abrams, WyClef Jean, Geri Allen, T.S. Monk, Charlie Haden, Slide Hampton and Wallace Roney among others.

In 1983 Clifton got the call to join his uncles group. He worked with Sonny Rollins touring worldwide and appeared on ten of Sonny’s recordings through 2009. Clifton’s work with Sonny incorporated not only performing but also producing four releases for Sonny’s Doxy Records label: The CD’s “Sonny, Please”, “Road Shows Vol. 1”, Clifton’s own “Decade” and “Sonny Rollins in Vienne” (DVD). In addition his production work can be heard on the Grammy Nominated “Without A Song / 911 Concert” CD, while also managing Sonny’s OLEO merchandise company and DOXY record label.

In 1997 Clifton released his first recording as a leader/producer on the Milestone label entitled Landmarks. Landmarks received critical acclaim internationally and made the top ten play lists on US Jazz radio. At the end of 2007 Clifton went back into the studio as a leader to produce Decade, his first recording in approximately ten years. The stellar reviews of Decade coupled with Clifton’s live performances led to a nomination in 2009 for “Trombonist Of The Year” from The American Jazz Journalists Association.

At the end of 2009 Clifton left Sonny’s band to actively lead his own group full time. He headed back into the studio in September 2011 to record and produce his third release as a leader - “And So We Carry On”. The highly anticipated recording was released September 25th 2012 with worldwide distribution and immediately created a buzz among musicians. Embraced by critics and fans “And So We Carry On” reached #4 on jazz radio and remained in the top 20 for several months. It’s been called “A Modern Jazz Essential” and was picked as “One Of The Top CD Releases of 2012” by Jazz Inside Magazine. “With people increasingly faced with turmoil, uncertainty and crisis, I wanted to create music that uplifts the listener and offers a sense of hope to prevail”. The stellar lineup includes some of Clifton’s favorite musical friends and features pianists Monty Alexander and Donald Vega; bassists Essiet Essiet and Bob Cranshaw; drummers Steve Jordan, Jeff “Tain” Watts and Steve Williams; saxophonists Kenny Garrett and Eric Wyatt; trumpeter Wallace Roney and percussionists Kimati Dinizulu and Victor See Yuen. They all came together to create “a musical blueprint for hope, renewal and carrying on”.

Clifton is currently in the process of producing his latest recording -“Been Down This Road Before”. The new release will include tributes to bass legend Bob Cranshaw, African percussionist Kimati Dinizulu, Clifton’s sister Vallyn Anderson and his uncle Sonny. Been Down This Road Before spotlights the redundancy of human nature from generation to generation. From all accounts “Been Down This Road Before” is the formidable successor to “And So We Carry On”. Look for its release in the spring of 2020.

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AMT microphones, SHURE Wireless systems

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by Jack Bowers
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On A Song of Hope, his second album for Whaling City Sound, saxophonist Eric Wyatt offers more than hope; he offers assurance that contemporary jazz is alive and well in and around his home base of Brooklyn, NY. Wyatt, the godson of another rather well-known saxophonist, Sonny Rollins, performs in groups of various sizes, from quartet to octet, with vocals by Samara Joy on two numbers, “Fragile" and Wyatt's “Say Her Name." The almost-constants are pianist Donald Vega, bassist Eric ...

Radio & Podcasts

Clifton Anderson, Reggie Quinerly & Allan Harris

by Joe Dimino
March 28, 2021

We devote a full hour of Neon Jazz to the music and artists of 2021. A lot of music was backlogged from 2020, but it was time to take a long look at the artists who are making 2021 a special year for jazz. We start off with NYC trombonist Clifton Anderson and make our way down an impressive list of musicians including Florian Arbenz, Reggie Quinerly, Alan Harris and Henry Robinett. Enjoy the jazz, my friends. Playlist ...

Interview

Clifton Anderson: Knowing the Road

by Barbara Ina Frenz
January 5, 2021

New York trombonist Clifton Anderson has mastered his instrument from the 1970s on in jazz programs of his home town outside the conservatory (which he also attended), that were initiated by leading spirits of the music such as Barry Harris, Sam Rivers, and Reggie Workman; these informal, professional jazz circles gave him information, insights and inspiration that the academic world couldn't provide in those days. Equally important for his development as a trombonist was his constant collaboration with musical giants ...

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Interview

Clifton Anderson: Leading The Way

by Mikayla Gilbreath
November 14, 2010

Not since the heyday of Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey has the trombone enjoyed widespread acceptance as a band leader's instrument. With only a few exceptions, the last half century has seen trombonists slide from favor as leaders and become more commonly viewed as sidemen. Even genuinely notable artists like J.J. Johnson, Frank Rosolino, Bill Watrous and Slide Hampton never really gained the fame and notoriety afforded their predecessors of the 1930s and '40s. Some believe the trombone's ...

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Interview

Clifton Anderson: Legacy

by Maxwell Chandler
March 30, 2009

Clifton Anderson has been on a lifelong journey of artistic evolution. From his start as a child surrounded by a musical family, to formal education mixed with the practical experience of live gigs, Clifton's odyssey is ever-unfolding. Whether playing as a long-standing member of his uncle Sonny Rollins' band, helping to run the Doxy label or leading sessions with his own band, Clifton's life is always happily connected to music.

Chapter Index Early Years And Inspirations Tennis Versus ...

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Album Review

Clifton Anderson: Decade

by Ken Dryden
February 21, 2009

Clifton Anderson has spent almost a quarter-century playing trombone in Sonny Rollins' band, rarely leading his own groups. Decade is Anderson's second release as a leader, utilizing a variety of musicians in different combinations (several of whom are Rollins alumni or sidemen): pianists Larry Willis and Stephen Scott, bassists Bob Cranshaw and Christian McBride, drummers Al Foster and Steve Jordan, saxophonists Kenny Garrett and Eric Wyatt, plus percussionist Kimati Dinizulu. On his own, Anderson has a better chance to showcase ...

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Album Review

Clifton Anderson: Decade

by Paolo Arduini
February 7, 2009

Best-known for playing and producing with his famous uncle Sonny Rollins (who gave him his first trombone when he was only seven), trombonist Clifton Anderson is back with Decade, his second album as a leader.

A little more than a decade has, in fact, passed since his first effort. All good things to those who wait, as this new collection of standards and originals is a clear improvement over Landmarks (Milestone, 1996).

The lineup features other ...

Recording

Clifton Anderson's 'Been Down This Road Before' includes an All-Star Cast!

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations
December 23, 2020

"Been Down This Road Before" is the title track from Clifton Anderson’s new album, which shares the same name. It is a thought-provoking musical message, delivered at a time when racism, greed, injustice and a deadly pandemic are jeopardizing our ability to harmoniously exist with one another and with our planet. As always, Clifton’s music serves to challenge and strengthen our resolve to move forward and elevate. Release Date: December 4, 2020, on Ropeadope / What We Do Music. ...
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Recording

Clifton Anderson: Road Taken

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
November 17, 2020

The trombone's personality shares much in common with a scatting singer. To play the instrument effectively, you need to sing through it. Not literally, of course, but you do have to make the trombone sound as if it's functioning as a wordless vocalist. Clifton Anderson is among my favorite trombonists for this very reason. When he plays, he's channeling the sound of singing. Clifton's new album is Been Down This Road Before, out December 4. It's a spiritual work, as ...
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Recording

Clifton Anderson: Carrying On

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
October 16, 2012

Trombonist Clifton Anderson's uncle is Sonny Rollins. Which is neither here nor there, since Clifton never brings it up. But the connection is important because it helps explain Clifton's drive and determination to make a jazz statement. He knows there's history at stake, even though making a mark isn't particularly easy these days. Jazz gigs are harder to come by, and the trombone is among the least sexy of the instruments most people associate with the art form. [Photo above ...
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Performance / Tour

Bobbi Humphrey, Grady Tate, Clifton Anderson, Stuff at Creole in October

Source: Ann Forster
September 15, 2009

Creole Restaurant NYC: 2167 Third Avenue, Corner of 118th Street, NY, NY 10035. Call (212) 876-8838 | Visit www.creolenyc.com

OCTOBER 2009 CALENDAR BOBBI HUMPHREY: October 2nd & 3rd CLIFTON ANDERSON: October 9th & 10th GRADY TATE: October 16th & 17th STUFF BROTHERS & SISTERS: Every Wednesday: Gary Sieger, Frank Canino, Chris Parker, Steve Greenfield, Andy Burton, Roy Bennett, Maxine Brown, Beverly Crosby

Friday, October 2nd & Saturday, October 3rd at 8:00pm & ...
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Interview

Trombonist Clifton Anderson Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
March 30, 2009

AAJ contributor Maxwell Chandler spoke with Anderson about his lengthy ...
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Recording

Clifton Anderson: Decade

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
January 28, 2009

I have a weakness for the trombone. To me, it's the vocalist of the brass section. Trombonists Benny Powell and Eddie Bert said as much when I interviewed them, and it's no wonder that Frank Sinatra learned as much as he did about singing from Tommy Dorsey. Same goes for vocalist David Allyn during his time with Jack Teagarden. More than any other instrument (except perhaps the French horn), you can hear the human voice expressed through the trombone's bell. ...
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Performance / Tour

Trombonist Clifton Anderson Appears with His Quintet at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola on February 2

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity
January 5, 2009

Trombonist Clifton Anderson will bring a stellar quintet to Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola on Monday, February 2 to showcase his new CD Decade. The CD, which is being released January 27th, is Anderson's first for Doxy/Emarcy Records, and the Dizzy's engagement is his first as a bandleader not only in New York but in the U.S. “Although I've performed as a leader in other parts of the world, this will be the first time I've appeared leading my own group in ...
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Recording

Trombonist Clifton Anderson New CD "Decade" Due in January on Doxy/Emarcy Records

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity
December 1, 2008

For the past 25 years Clifton Anderson has traveled the world as Sonny Rollins's front-line partner, and over a long career hes racked up sideman credits with artists such as Slide Hampton, McCoy Tyner, Muhal Richard Abrams, and the Mighty Sparrow. Now, with his new CD Decade, Anderson has created an outstanding showcase for his skills as a player, composer, bandleader, and record producer. A welcome return to recording from one of the most accomplished trombonists working in jazz today, ...
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"In Clifton's hands, you hear the trombone in a modern guise. Clifton plays with plenty of hard-bop power, but he also delivers the punch with high-register sensitivity, exhibits enormous tenderness, and his cinematic sense of suspense holds the ear. What I love most about Clifton's playing here is his tone." —Marc Myers - JazzWax.com

"Easily among the top mainstream trombonists in Jazz today ... full- bodied, post-bop trombone sound and considerable compositional skills .... finely executed heartfelt jazz." - Joel Roberts - New York City Jazz Record