John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, and Jeff Clayton (John's brother) brought together a group of Los Angeles-based musicians in 1985 and formed the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (CHJO). Reviewers and fans loved the big band, and the orchestra's first recording, Groove Shop (Capri), earned a Grammy Award nomination. CD Review named it one of the best recordings of 1990. David Badham of Jazz Journal International said "This is one of the finest modern big band issues I've heard." The orchestra has continued to earn critical acclaim.

The most recent CHJO CD is The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra: Live at MCG. The album was recorded during a four-night series of performances in Pittsburgh, PA at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild.