Aaron Clay distinguishes himself regularly as a uniquely versatile double bassist. He commands great respect as a performer in both the classical and jazz worlds of bass playing, but it was The Washington Post that observed, “What sets [Clay] apart is elegant bowing . . . . His melodic lines have a cello-like glow and flexibility . . . .”
A native of Fairmont, West Virginia, Mr. Clay began his musical training at the age of 10 when he taught himself to play jazz on the electric bass. He later pursued classical training on the upright double bass prior to attending West Virginia Wesleyan College, where he studied with Richard Manspeaker. After graduating in 1989, he was selected to join the United States Navy Band in Washington, DC. Upon completing one enlistment with the Navy, Mr. Clay auditioned for “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, where he has been a member since 1993.
Mr. Clay makes regular appearances at The White House performing in virtually every type of musical ensemble that is tasked, to include the Marine Orchestra, string ensembles, and jazz/pop combos. He also travels frequently with the Marine Band throughout the United States and abroad. In addition to writing works for violin and double bass duo, Mr. Clay is developing a reputation as a composer of works for larger ensembles. An invitation by the director of the Marine Band to write a work for wind ensemble led to Mr. Clay’s composition “e-volution,” which was premiered by the Marine Band in 2002. His next work, also premiered by the Marine Band was entitled “Serial Number.”
Mr. Clay is a founding member of the highly acclaimed string duo, Bridging the Gap®, in which he performs with violinist Peter Wilson. Hailed by The Washington Post for “superior arrangements and uncommon musicianship,” the unique duo performs works covering a wide range of musical styles and released their first CD in November 2003. They have become frequent guests of the Millennium Stage at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and have appeared on the Jazz Series of the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. In 2004, Mr. Clay and Mr. Wilson were honored by their home state when each received the Music Award by the Arts and Humanities Commission of Fairmont, West Virginia in recognition of their outstanding leadership and devotion to the enhancement of the arts.
Mr. Clay serves as Principal Bassist of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and has performed in such jazz and pop groups as The Kenny Rittenhouse Quartet, The Peter Fraize Quartet, and First Light. Mr. Clay is always in great demand as a freelance musician and has appeared with such legendary performers as Aretha Franklin and Joe Williams.
