There is an encouraging sign on the local jazz scene. Younger musicians are showing up in area venues with organized groups or in informal jam oriented settings and laying down some hip new approaches to the jazz tradition. This is thanks in no small part to the jazz programs at UNH and the University of Southern Maine, as well as to the Press Room here in town and the Barley Pub in Dover—both of whom share a firm commitment to supporting the development of young musicians.

One of the central figures in this youth movement—if we can call it that—is Chris Klaxton, a remarkable trumpeter/composer who can be heard playing in a number of locally based ensembles, including Mac Tough, The Press Project (where he also doubles on keyboards), Amigo Blanco, various jazz groups led by guitarist Jim Dozet and, occasionally, with the Seacoast Big Band. On Sunday, Aug. 12, the 2007 UNH graduate will front his own quartet at the Barley Pub. Joining Klaxton for the 8:30 p.m. gig will be guitarist Andy Greene, bassist Seth Lewis and drummer Eric Von Oyen. Recently, I sat down with Klaxton at Dover’s Café on the Corner to get the lowdown on how he reached this point in his journey and where he hopes it will take him. Klaxton exhibits a quiet, laidback demeanor that belies his positive and enthusiastic outlook and his commitment to actively participate in the jazz world.

“What really inspired me to get involved with this music was the first time I went to the Clark Terry/UNH Jazz Festival with my junior high jazz band. The classiness of the whole event was amazing, and to hear Clark play in person made the experience that much more positive,” Klaxton said. “Another source of inspiration was my improvisation teacher, (saxophonist) Bill Jones. I studied with him throughout high school, and he exposed me to a variety of approaches to playing jazz, as well as many of the great players in the music.”

Klaxton played in various groups at Timberlane Regional High School in Plaistow, but his main focus was a jazz combo coached by drummer and TRHS band director Ken Clark. “He was also a really positive influence on me, in that he provided the combo with a lot of opportunities to play out, and he had a lot of general knowledge to give. At the time, I was almost exclusively playing the flugelhorn (a slightly fatter version of the trumpet that has a warm, mellow sound). It wasn’t until I went to UNH that I began to focus much more on the trumpet. (UNH trumpet instructor) Dr. (Robert) Stibler provided me with the instruction I needed and was a big help to me while I was there.”

Klaxton also cites the importance his experiences playing in Dave Seiler’s UNH Jazz Band. “Playing in the band afforded me the chance to grow as a player and to perform with some amazing cats,” Klaxton said. One of those “cats” was none other than Clark Terry, who spoke very warmly of Chris’s abilities back in March during Jazz Fest. “Chris is a really fine player with the potential to really do something positive in this music,” Terry said. High praise, for sure.

Klaxton’s relationship with Terry has grown over the years, to the point where he is currently one of about a half-dozen paid assistants who travel with the jazz legend to help him with various personal needs. The experience has provided Klaxton with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of not only the jazz experience, but also of life. “To have the opportunity to help CT in this way has been very humbling, but it’s also pretty empowering,” Klaxton said. “It’s really helped me to gain a better and deeper perspective of the jazz world, both the ups and the downs. The stories and the anecdotes alone have been a valuable resource.”

The young trumpeter has also gained valuable insight into what it takes to play jazz. “CT has taught me about the actual process of playing the trumpet as well as the music itself, such as the proper way to approach a melody or to use various musical inflections,” he said. “It’s all a part of the process of getting better in order to reach new levels of playing ability and experience.”

Part of that experience will unfold during an upcoming gig at the Barley Pub. “We’ll be doing a mix of standards and originals, both mine and Andy Greene’s,” Klaxton said when asked what listeners can expect. He responded thoughtfully when asked about his tunes. “Well, I don’t really take the approach of taking a standard chord progression and writing a new melody over it. I like to experiment and work on tunes that are more completely my own and that are less reliant on re-harmonizations,” he said. “It’s a learning experience for sure, but one that I enjoy taking part in.”

Looking to the future, Klaxton, like most young jazz musicians, envisions an eventual move to the center of the jazz universe, New York City. “It’s definitely the place I want ultimately get to, to see if I can meet the challenge. But, for the immediate future, I’m looking to gig more around here, as well as to try and break into the scene down in Boston.” Klaxton is also enthusiastic about a new hip-hop oriented project he’s involved with, called The Pharos. “It’s still in the beginning stages, but it has lots of potential for sure,” he said. Klaxton also finds himself teaching jazz trumpet at his alma mater TRHS, passing on the jazz language in much the same way his teachers did for him. “For me, right now is the process of learning and assimilating, of trying to get to the next level,” Klaxton said. He’s well on his way.


For fans of the vocal side of the jazz spectrum, Maine-based vocalist Chris Humphrey has released his first CD, “Nothing but Blue Skies,” a superb collection of standards and originals on the Cadence Jazz label. For more information or to purchase a copy, visit Humphrey’s Web site at www.chrishumphrey.net.