Clarence Becton - Drums and Cymbals

Born in Mississippi, Clarence Becton moved at age twelve to Buffalo, N.Y. He worked locally with Pete Johnson, Don Menza, Don Ellis, and Wade Legge.

Clarence also performed at the 'Royal Arms Club', playing for soloists like Coleman Hawkins, Clark Terry, John Hendricks. He left Buffalo with Hendricks touring the U.S. and Canada.

In 1969 Clarence moved to Munich, working at the ‘Domicile Jazz Club’ and other locations with Pony Poindexter, Benny Bailey, Slide Hampton, Lucky Thompson, Mal Waldron, Dusko Goykovich and many other artists.

Upon returning to the U.S. in 1970, he worked with Thelonious Monk, Bobby Hutcherson, Ernestine Anderson, Woody Shaw, Mark Levine, Michael White, Joe Henderson, Milt Jackson, Pepper Adams, Eddie Henderson, ‘Captain’ John Handy, Julian Priester and others.

In early 1979 Clarence Becton went on the road, for nine months touring the U.S., Canada and parts of Europe with Earl 'Fatha' Hines. At the end of the tour Clarence moved to New York City and began performing with many fine artists such as Joe Albany, John Hendricks & Family, Pepper Adams and Slide Hampton.

Moving back to Europe in March 1981 Clarence performed with Charles Green, Wilber Little, Keshevan Maslak and the Dusko Goykovich-Joe Haider Quintet.

Having established a homebase in Amsterdam, he has performed and recorded over the years with many fine local and international musicians, amongst others, Bill Gerhardt, Curtis Clark, Mola Sylla and Gylan Kain.

Recently Clarence has been performing, touring, and recording with, to name just a few: Victor Kaihatu, Rob Armus and Benny Baily etc.