Welcome and thanks for stopping by! This page was created as a way for fans of Cleve Eaton to network and to share information. We'll send out bulletins, but promise not to clutter your inbox. This page will not put you in direct contact with Cleve, but you can contact him via his website at clevelandeaton.com
Cleve appreciates comments you leave on this page.
Bassist Cleveland "Cleve" Eaton is a recognized name in the jazz world, as a producer, composer, arranger, and for his incredible performances with the Ike Cole Trio, Donald Byrd-Pepper Adams Quintet, the Larry Novak Trio, and over thirty recordings in his ten years with the Ramsey Lewis Trio, which included four gold singles, including Hang on Sloopy and Wade in the Water. There were four gold albums, including Solar Wind and Sun Goddess.
Eaton has played on notable recording sessions with nearly all genres – jazz with John Klemmer and Bunky Green, R&B with the Dells and Bobby Rush, pop with Minnie Riperton, Jerry Butler and Rotary Connection, big band with Henry Mancini, Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams, Billy Eckstein, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and many more. During his stint with Count Basie Orchestra, Eaton was dubbed “the Count’s Bassist” and made more than ten recordings with Count Basie. Since 1974, he has performed and toured with his own group, Cleve Eaton and Co. Since 2004, the name of the band has been Cleve Eaton and the Alabama All Stars.
Eaton’s numerous honors include his induction into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, the Playboy Jazz Poll, Canada’s Cultural Enhancement Award and the Achievement Award at the Count Basie Tribute Concert. He was nominated to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1993 and inducted in 2008. He received the Governor’s Arts Award 1995 (Alabama) and the Don Redman Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.
Cleve resides in Birmingham, Alabama, and is available for gigs worldwide. For further information or to contact, see his website http://www.clevelandeaton.com
Alabama Music Hall of Fame photos courtesy Janet Stevenson
Cleveland Eaton with Count Basie at Carnegie Hall, March 20, 1981
Cleve, Nothing needs to be said. You The Man. Kick this thing, and I know you will, and get back out there soon. I know people are thinking, what does a Folk, Bluegrass duo know about jazz? It's not just the jazz it's just great music, and we love it. See you soon. Your pal, Bill Hunter
IT'S NOT OFTEN THAT I GET TO HUG AND KISS YOU. SO I THOUGHT I WILL SEND ENOUGH HUGS & KISSES TO LAST YOU TILL I SEE YOU AGAIN. I LOVE YOU GRANDADDY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wishing you the Very Best this year and I'm so glad your on this Groove Train...Your Mojo helps with the Groove I lay down on my Shows...It's all about the Flow!
From heaven above arrives a fascination, It's a personal, glory innovation To be honest, thankfull and true - Holy night, I trust in you, cause you give freedom to everyone, You spend much love and also fun. I treasure Christmas through the years, It's a magic time, which disappears. But it comes back again and again, I'm indeed a Christmas - fan.
I wish you and your family a merry christmas Love & Peace
I was browsing through my Myspace Friends list, and I saw all the people that I have invited, and all the folks that have invited me, and thought, I could not possibly, keep up with so many friends. It may have been a while since we corresponded but, I am here now my friend to say Hello, and to THANK YOU, for being a part of my World!
A Friend Is Like A Four Leaf Clover: Hard To Find And Lucky To Have! Have A Great And Wonderful Weekend! Hope Everything Goes Well ! A Big Hug For Your Friendship!
The Boogie is on Buckaroos so slide on your favorite pair of Ballerina Shoes and Tune Into kvnf.org and Turn Up the Jams Friday the 20th of June at 1pm MST for The Friday Afternoon Club...The Best Little Home Grown Community Radio Station on this Rock we Ride...Talk about Old School Radio, just what the Doctor Ordered...Get on the Phone and call someone you Love...ore want to Love and let them know that they can be jump started with some Real Boogie at kvnf.org. Do you feel it, of course you do...I really dig your Chili and thats why we are Friends!!
Hi Cleveland, so nice meeting you at the Alabama Hall Of Fame Induction Awards, congratulations on your win friend!!!!. Wishing you a blessed 08. Respect from The Commodores.
You were the bassist on the very first jazz sides I ever listened to in my life, in my early teens . . . with Ramsey. You guys made jazz understandable to me.
Later, I caught you with Basie and it was the best.
Thanks for being a major inspiration in my life!!
Love your site & the music.
Thanks for all your efforts in perpetuating great music!
While I’m at it, I want to wish you a super healthy, happy & prosperous New Year!!
Be Blessed & Keep Swingin’! Bill BillSargentBands.com
