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JOHN CLAYTON CELEBRATES FAMILY, COLLABORATION AND JAZZ TRADITION ON HIS EIGHTH ALBUM, THE TWO-O DUO PROJECT

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2 months ago

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One of Los Angeles’ treasured bassists, composers and bandleaders, John Clayton, returns with his eighth album, The Two-O Duo Project, an intimate and inventive recording that brings together three remarkable musicians: Clayton, acclaimed vocalist René Marie, and his son, celebrated pianist and composer Gerald Clayton.

Built around the idea of musical conversation, The Two-O Duo Project explores the possibilities of the duo format while celebrating the unique relationships between its performers. Across the album, John Clayton moves between duo collaborations with René Marie and Gerald Clayton, creating a collection that feels both deeply personal and musically adventurous. The project also features several trio performances, allowing the three musicians to come together and expand on the ideas developed throughout the recording.

René Marie brings her distinctive combination of soul, blues and expressive storytelling to the project. Her performances on the rich interpretation of “Blue Bayou” and the relaxed, blues-inflected “Beautiful” showcase her ability to move effortlessly between intimacy and strength. On “On The Day You Were Born,” Marie adds poetry and spoken expression, while the “Smile Medley” finds her swinging alongside John Clayton. She also brings a spiritual depth to “Come Sunday” and a striking, earthy intensity to “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.”

Gerald Clayton brings a different kind of musical chemistry to the album. His playing on “Some Other Time” is fluid and understated, while his original composition “Forth” highlights his graceful, highly individual approach to the piano and overdubbed keyboards he plays. With “En La Orilla Del Mundo,” father and son explore the poignancy of this beautiful song, John, playing the melody with his bow and Gerald, employing the sensitive touch he learned from mentors like Kenny Barron. 

The recordings offer a rare opportunity to hear father and son in a setting that strips the music down to its essential elements: listening, interaction and trust.

For John Clayton, the album represents both a long-awaited reunion and the beginning of a new collaboration.

“My son, Gerald, and I haven’t done a duo recording in many years. I have never done a recording project with René Marie, though we’ve talked about it many times. So, I decided to have and eat my cake. This was my chance to record duos with two of my favorite people. Since we were all there, hanging out on the same day, why not do a few trio things as well? And so, we gave birth to The Two-O Duo Project.”

That spirit of spontaneity is at the heart of the album. Rather than approaching the sessions as a conventional leader-and-guest project, Clayton created an environment where each musician could bring their own voice and respond naturally to the others.

The result is an album shaped by family ties, friendship and decades of musical experience, moving comfortably between jazz standards, original compositions, vocal interpretations and intimate instrumental exchanges.

The Two-O Duo Project was recorded at Clear Lake Recording Studio in North Hollywood, California, and engineered and mixed by Joel Moss and Steve Generwick.

With his eighth album, John Clayton continues to demonstrate why he remains such an important voice in the jazz community. The Two-O Duo Project is not simply a collection of duets—it is a celebration of musical connection and the special chemistry that emerges when artists listen as deeply as they play.

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Pauline Frechette Releases “The Wonder of Stars” Featuring Legendary Bassist Stanley Clarke

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9 hours ago

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November 7, 2026

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Billboard-charting composer, pianist, and vocalist Pauline Frechette releases her new single, “The Wonder of Stars,” featuring legendary bassist Stanley Clarke. Taken from her latest album, At the Edge of Everything, the song is a personal reflection on the beauty of the universe, the search for direction, and the quiet strength that comes from looking beyond everyday worries.

Living in Ojai, California, surrounded by mountains and natural beauty, Pauline finds inspiration in one of her favorite nighttime activities: stargazing with her husband. For her, looking up at the stars is more than simply admiring the night sky. It is a way to find peace, regain perspective, and reconnect with her sense of purpose.

“When I am tired or anxious about something, star gazing relaxes me. I feel strong and sure of the path I must follow,” Pauline explains. Inspired by the explorers who once relied on the stars for courage and direction, she sees the night sky as a reminder that there is always a way forward, even when life presents obstacles.

That feeling became the foundation for “The Wonder of Stars.” Pauline began composing the music while singing, allowing the lyrics to emerge naturally from the emotions and story already expressed through the melody. She considers the song one of her finest compositions.

Featuring the unmistakable musicianship of Stanley Clarke, “The Wonder of Stars” brings together Pauline’s distinctive approach to composition and performance with the artistry of one of music’s most celebrated bassists.

Pauline Frechette has built an impressive career as a composer, pianist, and vocalist. Her compositions have been performed by renowned orchestras, including the Baltimore Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, New West Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, and National Symphony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Her work has also been presented at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Beyond the concert stage, Pauline has contributed her voice to major film scores and performed alongside some of the biggest names in music, including Paul McCartney, Beck, Cher, Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, Muse, and Leonard Cohen.

Her current album, At the Edge of Everything, features Stanley Clarke and showcases her ability to move naturally between jazz, neo-classical instrumentals, and expressive vocal compositions. Her music has accumulated more than 30 million streams worldwide.

Through her music and performances, Pauline brings together technical excellence, emotional honesty, and a deep sense of vulnerability. With “The Wonder of Stars,” she offers listeners a reminder to pause, look beyond their immediate surroundings, and find inspiration in the world above them.

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