Clayton, 28, has been hailed as a virtuoso pianist and composer. Down Beat Magazine’s 2008 Readers’ Poll named him one of the top up-and-coming pianists to watch. He has been honored with a Level 1 award by the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts (NFAA), the title “Presidential Scholar in the Arts,” and second place in the Thelonious Monk Institute Jazz Piano Competition.

COLUMBUS OHIO -- Gerald Clayton, a rising young African-American star on the jazz scene, will join the Columbus Jazz Orchestra for its upcoming engagement “Come Together: From Gershwin to The Beatles,” Oct. 25-28 at the Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.

Clayton, 28, has been hailed as a virtuoso pianist and composer. Down Beat Magazine’s 2008 Readers’ Poll named him one of the top up-and-coming pianists to watch. He has been honored with a Level 1 award by the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts (NFAA), the title “Presidential Scholar in the Arts,” and second place in the Thelonious Monk Institute Jazz Piano Competition.

Clayton grew up in Los Angeles in a musical family that includes his father, bassist/composer John Clayton, and uncle, saxophonist Jeff Clayton.

From 2006 to 2008, Clayton toured extensively with Grammy-winning jazz artist Roy Hargrove in his quintet, big band and funk group, and he is currently a member of the Clayton Brothers Quintet. He can be heard on the Clayton Brothers’ latest release, “Brother to Brother,” as well as Hargrove’s 2008 “Earfood” and Diana Krall’s “From This Moment On.”

Clayton’s own trio is based in New York City and includes Justin Brown on drums and Joe Sanders on bass. The group released their debut album, “Two Shade,” earlier this year on the ArtistShare label.

Clayton’s style, which All About Jazz magazine, describes as “not only stunning but fresh, original and distinctly the music of today,” comes from his willingness to incorporate a variety of influences into his music.

“I have listened to lots of different musical styles as long as I can remember,” Clayton said. “I continue to absorb all these influences, and in doing so, create my own voice – by combining their forces into a harmonic whole, I seek to blend the various styles and sounds I love into a balanced, tasteful musical language.”

For tickets and more information, call (614) 294-5200 or visit Jazzartsgroup.org.