I-435 West KC-KS in Kansas City in Wyandotte County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Wilbur "Buck" Clayton

Arranger, Composer, Trumpeter, Band Leader

— November 12, 1911 • Parsons, Kansas —

Wilbur "Buck" Clayton Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

1. Wilbur "Buck" Clayton Marker

Inscription. As a teenager, Wilbur "Buck" Clayton played the trumpet at church. After high school, he traveled to California to become a jazz musician. At age 23, he took his own Clayton Band to Shanghai where they played for two years at the Canidrome Ballroom. In 1936, Clayton joined Count Basie at the Reno Club until he was drafted in 1943. After discharge, he toured Europe with his own group, Clayton turned to arranging, composing and teaching later in life following lip problems.

Erected by Legends Outlets.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.

Location. 39° 7.615′ N, 94° 49.682′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Kansas, in Wyandotte County. It is in I-435 West KC-KS. Marker can be reached from Village West Parkway. Marker is on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets shopping/entertainment complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1867 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City KS 66109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dorothy Gale (a few steps from this marker); Edward Dwight, Jr. (a few steps from this marker); Mary Lou Williams (a few steps from this marker); Cpl. Lucas A. Frantz

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(a few steps from this marker); Charlie "Bird' Parker (within shouting distance of this marker); Barry Sanders (within shouting distance of this marker); Bennie Moten (within shouting distance of this marker); Coleman "Hawk" Hawkins (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kansas City.

Regarding Wilbur "Buck" Clayton. This is one of several sidewalk plaques placed on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets shopping/entertainment complex, which highlight notable people and inventions that came from the state of Kansas.

Also see . . . Buck Clayton on Wikipedia. (Submitted on July 8, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 54 times since then and 9 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on July 8, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.