<div>Dear Friends,
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<div>This is Jeff Hamilton, along with Gail Boyd, and we are raising funds for our dear friend, <strong>John Clayton</strong>. John has been my best friend for over 50 years and Gail is his personal manager. On January 8, while in New York accepting the prestigious Jazz Visionary Award from Jazz Congress, he was informed that his home of 40 years was destroyed in the Eaton fire in Altadena, CA. We hope you will consider giving to someone that has given so much to so many.
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<div><strong>Here is a message from John.</strong>
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<div>I don’t know where or how to begin.
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<div>Thank you. That’s the perfect place. I really mean: Thank You!
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<div>Your checking on me and my family, sending the support you have, wondering about me/us, and being the best family, friends, and friends-like-family is life and soul saving in ways that you can’t imagine. In fact, every time I get a message from you, it brings tears. Expressions of caring and love always do that to me. And I’m not apologetic about it—not that I could change, anyway.
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<div>Whew.
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<div>That’s “whew” #1.
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<div>Last Wednesday, July 8th, I was honored to receive the Bruce Lundvall Visionary Award from the Jazz Congress in NYC. My wife and I flew there and Gerald presented the award to me. Before heading over for the event, we received a call in our hotel room from my daughter. She was sobbing, crying hysterically, telling us that they had lost everything. The Altadena fire had destroyed their house and everything in it. We knew they had evacuated, so she and her husband and our 2 grandchildren were safe. I’ve never been so thankful in my life.
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<div>I had to work to be in the moment at the award ceremony. I dug as deeply as I could to focus on everyone’s energy and the positivity centered around me as the awardee. It was a fabulous event.
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<div>We returned to the hotel to check in with family. Soon after our return, a neighbor and former student of my brother, Jeff, called. He went to check on our house. He had to take deep breaths in order to break the news to us. In tears, he let is know that “it is gone.” We had lost everything.
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<div>We were stunned. Some tears were shed, but nothing like what was to come.
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<div>One hour later, I had to return to Jazz At Lincoln Center for the tribute to Russell Malone. Back to directing my focus to the purpose and vibe for being there.
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<div>I didn’t go back to the hotel because son Gerald led an evening that was a continuation of the earlier part of the day. I was being “honored” and musicians I know and love played their hearts out. It was a day of simultaneous celebration and grief.
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<div>************
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<div>We are now in L.A.
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<div>My home in Altadena is completely gone. Also consumed by the fire are all of my instruments (yes. I know. That alone is hard to fathom), a lifetime of printed music, scores, recordings, compositions—family photos (although, thank goodness for The Cloud), every item of clothing, I’m sure you get the picture. And those are just some things related to me. My wife and children also lost so much, of course.
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<div>But we have each other. I don’t care how cliche that sounds. We. Have. Each. Other.
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<div>All of the practical things after such a disaster are now happening. Like thousands of others, we’re talking with insurance companies, canceling things and organizing endlessly. We have rented an AirBnB and will be here for less 2 weeks. I’ll then begin some engagements, first with The Jazz Cruise and then to Cologne with the WDR Big Band. I’ll be home after that for a couple of days and then off again. Needless to say, I’ll be working on life and house tasks from long distance as we continue to sort out our next moves.
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<div>I still haven’t seen the property. They aren’t allowing people in just yet.
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<div>**************
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<div>You have been asking what you can do.
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<div>You’ve done it already.
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<div>You continue to do it.
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<div>The love you show for me and my family affects me in ways that I can’t truly convey to you. You already know I’m a crybaby. I’m sad and devastated about my house—that’s another kind of crying. The tears that you bring are tears of overwhelming gratitude and thankfulness that you are in my life. That you ask about me. That you want to know what you can DO to help me.
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<div>It’s hard to write these emotions. I can’t do it without blurring up.
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<div>It’s now a daily occurrence, hearing from you and realizing how strong and vast my family is. Thank you, thank you.
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<div>Oh, right—you've been asking what you can do.
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<div>As I pursue the items that help me live and make music, I know deep down that things will be alright. They’ll come together. I’m working toward that. There are people who are completely done in by these fires. If you know people like that, please focus on them!
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<div>If you want to help my situation, financially, feel free to do so. I’m honored that you would even consider it. All dollars will help my family and me. We are sorting things out and will soon have a better understanding of how and what to replace, including instruments, temporary housing, whether to rebuild, etc. Many of you have already given to the fund to help my daughter, Gina. Thank you, if you have. Don’t feel obliged to give or to give again, please. To reiterate, anything you choose to donate will be put to use. Understand that your love and concern for us is more valuable than any dollar amount.
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<div>So, dear family, friends, friends-as-close-as-family, I absolutely adore you. Please feel me/us returning the love you’ve shown me.
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<div>Endless love from your fan,
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<div>John
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Support John Clayton: Everything lost in Eaton Fire.

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