Clifton Anderson is considered one of the leading trombonists and composers performing in Jazz today. He is not only noted for his rich personal sound on the horn but for his abilities as a melodic composer and musical interpreter. Clifton was born in Harlem, New York City into a musical family and from an early age showed an affinity for music. When he turned seven years old he received his first trombone from his uncle, Jazz Legend Sonny Rollins. Clifton attended the prestigious Fiorello LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and is a graduate of The Manhattan School Of Music. During his college years Clifton played in bands led by Frank Foster, Carlos Garnett and Reggie Workman. He was one of the original members of Slide Hampton’s revered trombone ensemble “The World of Trombones”and quickly established himself as one of the young in demand trombonists on the New York City music scene. ​ Clifton’s extensive musical career has created the foundation to inform him as a gifted bandleader. His performances embody the fertile and varied history of musical experiences he’s been a part of, working with a who’s who of music and entertainment giants including; Sonny Rollins, McCoy Tyner, Dizzy Gillespie, Lester Bowie, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Barry Harris to Stevie Wonder, Keith Richards, Paul Simon, Wallace Roney, The Mighty Sparrow, Geri Allen, T.S. Monk and Terumasa Hino among others. His identifiable sound and memorable compositions have drawn a consistently expanding audience to his recordings and performances. Clifton has recorded and self produced four highly acclaimed releases under his own name; Landmarks -Milestone (1997), Decade -Universal/Doxy (2009), And So We Carry On -Daywooddrive (2012) and Been Down This Road Before - Ropeadope/What We Do (2021). Each recording made it to the top 10 on US Jazz radio and each have showcased Clifton’s original compositions, arrangments, playing and production skills. A combination of great reviews for Decade and live performances led to a nomination for“Trombonist Of The Year” from The American Jazz Journalist Association. And So We Carry On, referred to as a “Jazz Anthem Of The Times” was voted “One Of The Top Jazz CD Releases Of 2012”. Been Down This Road Before, called “An Instant Classic”by critic Thomas Pena was subsequently placed on “Best Of 2021 Recordings” lists by several publications and blogs. In 2022 Clifton started his independent music label, “What We Do Music”, and released the groove inspired “Some Things Never Change”. The single features performances by Kenny Garrett, Ray Parker Jr. and Steve Jordan as well as Russel Blake, John F. Adams and Victor See Yuen. In addition to his own offerings as a leader, Clifton’s work with his uncle Sonny Rollins as a featured soloist and producer for over 25 years is well documented. In addition to numerous world tours with Sonny he has appeared on ten of Sonny’s recordings and produced 3 CD’s and 1 DVD for Sonny’s Doxy label. Clifton also co -produced Sonny's sold-out 50th Anniversary Concert at Carnegie Hall. Other production credits include; pianist Tadataka Unno’s "Get My Mojo Back", which went to #1 in Japan and the extraordinary Fiery String Sisters "That's What She Said". Nioka Workman's brainchild, The Firey String Sistas, are now working with Clifton on their second studio release. Clifton has exciting new music on the horizon as well. The highly anticipated single release “Robyn’s Light” will arrive just in time for the holidays. The recording features Clifton’s stellar working band, made up of highly talented veteran artists that have managed to stay together as a unit for several years. The composition "Robyn's Light" was written in tribute to a longtime friend of Cliftons that battled terminal cancer for 14 years against all odds and became a national inspiration for many others fighting the disease. It will be released by What We Do Music in early December 2024.