For those not in the know, John Clay is an in-demand musical veteran, praised for his creativity, fluid feel and ability to lay diverse musical styles.

The idea of recording his brand new album entitled About Time (due out January 23rd, 2026) grew out of recent performances with pianist Enrique Haneine which are always spontaneous and engaging. He wanted to document their musical interactions. Playing with Enrique has thusly created some of his favorite musical moments.

As he continued conceptualizing and curating tunes for the album, he imagined it expanding beyond a trio to include horns and also vocals. He also wanted to assemble a group of musicians that not only played great but would have compatible musical approaches and would sound like they had played together for years.

He had heard bassist Sean Conly playing with drummer Riche Morales. Sean’s playing is masterful, grooving and melodic. He is comfortable playing everything from classic jazz standards to avant-garde and beyond.

Shunzo Ohno has played as a sideman with jazz masters for many years now and always brings musical energy to stage or studio, and his playing is tonally rich, genuine and exciting.

Matt Garrison is a first-called saxophonist with a mature, beautiful tone and a wonderfully melodic approach to everything he plays. And Ruby Pucillo is a talented vocalist who really understands both her instrument as well as the genre. She brings a fresh style to her vocals as well as a nod to the classic jazz vocal masters.

1. A Lark (Fred Hersch)
2. Humpty Dumpty (Chick Corea)
3. Alice In Wonderland (Sammy Fain/Bob Hilliard)
4. Rio (Wayne Shorter)
5. Dubai (Billy Drummond)
6. Highway 14 (Alan Pasqua)
7. Stella By Starlight (Victor Young/Ned Washington - Arrangement by Shunzo Ohno)
8. Prelude to Spring (Improv by Enrique Haneine)
9. You Must believe in Spring (Michel Legrand)
10. My New Friend Old Friend (Alan Pasqua)

Complete with music that John personally selected that have been composed by some very recognizable names - such as Chick Corea and Wayne Shorter - but also some composers you might not know, such as Billy Drummond, Fred Hersch and Alan Pasqua, the new recording opens on the languishing beauty of A Lark and the spirited Humpty Dumpty, and then we get the joyfully skat vocalized Alice In Wonderland, the emboldened Rio and the gently velveteen Dubai.

Up next is the sumptuous Highway 14 and the stirringly graceful Stella By Starlight and they are in turn seamlessly backed by the veritably ethereal stillness of Prelude to Spring, the set rounding out on the finger-snapping foot-tapper You Must believe in Spring, coming to an all-too-soon close on the elegance of My New Friend Old Friend.

“I wanted About Time to be an album that is not a one-play wonder but rather one that encourages repeated listening and makes the listener feel good. I hope you enjoy!” - John Clay

Musicians:
John Clay, drums
Shunzo Ohno, trumpet and flugelhorn
Matt Garrison, tenor and soprano saxophone
Enrique Haneine, acoustic piano
Sean Conly, acoustic bass
Ruby Pucillo, vocals (3, 6)

John Clay - About Time [Official Promo]

...Archives