John Clay: About Time

CLAY TONE MUSIC (RELEASED JANUARY 23, 2026)

About Time is an accurate title for drummer John Clay’s first recording under his own name. Having recorded and performed with jazz luminaries such as Zoot Sims, Steve Kuhn, Teddy Wilson as well as his touring with fusion and soul/R&B bands, it’s about time Clay made a recording under his own name. Although he is the leader of this ensemble, Clay plays the role of an accompanist, listening closely to others and adding just the right percussive punctuation marks to complement and energize the ensemble.
A perfect example is Billy Drummond’s “Dubai.” Clay keeps the hypnotic Middle Eastern vibe of this tune steady, allowing trumpeter Shunzo Ohno, saxophonist Matt Garrison, pianist Enrique Haneine and bassist Sean Conly to explore and expand upon the beauty of the tune without any unnecessary display of his drumming prowess. The same is true for the ensemble’s performance of Fred Hersch’s simple and flowing “A Lark,” Wayne Shorter’s Latin-infused “Rio,” Chick Corea’s boppish “Humpty Dumpty” and a wonderful Shunzo arrangement of Victor Young’s “Stella by Starlight.” The group is joined by vocalist Ruby Pucillo on the jazz waltz “Alice in Wonderland,” on which she channels the lyricism and scatting or Betty Carter, and the bossa feel of Alan Pasqua’s “Highway 14,” on which she takes a more adventuresome approach with soaring wordless vocals. The trio of Clay, Haneine and Conly take the spotlight for Michel Legrand’s “You Must Believe in Spring” and Pasqua’s pastoral sounding “My New Friend Old Friend.” Haneine, who shines throughout About Time, performs his noirish “Prelude to Spring” as a solo piece rich in chordal explorations. Although About Time may not offer anything new (other than an introduction to Clay as a leader and further evidence of Haneine’s stature as an up-and-coming pianist), it does accomplish Clay’s mission for his first session as a leader — to make the listener feel good. Clay should feel good about the session as well!

BOTTOM LINE: Listening to drummer John Clay’s About Time reminds me of some of my favorite childhood cereals. Clay adds the perfect “snap, crackle and pop” to a set of varied tunes. His drumming as well as the overall sound of the ensemble is as “crisp” as it could be. Everyone in the band plays honestly and enthusiastically without any “trix”. Simply put, About Time is a “total” jazz experience.