Grand Prairie, Texas, August 22, 2025
News Summary
The memorial concert honoring jazz musician James Earl Clay will take place in Grand Prairie, bringing together local performers to celebrate his legacy. With a modest ticket price and a focus on community involvement, the tribute aims to foster a sense of remembrance and appreciation for Clay’s contributions to jazz music. Attendees can expect an evening filled with live performances reflecting Clay’s influence in hard bop and jazz styles.
Grand Prairie, Texas — The 17th annual tribute to jazz musician James Earl Clay is scheduled for Sunday, September 7, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. The memorial event honors the late hard bop tenor saxophonist and flutist and will be open to the public with tickets priced at $20. The tribute follows Clay’s passing on May 20, 2025, after a long illness.
Event details and significance
The memorial concert serves as the 17th consecutive annual remembrance of James Earl Clay, a musician with a long career in American jazz. The program will feature multiple performers who will celebrate Clay’s musical legacy through live performances. The modest ticket cost and community-focused nature of the event underscore its role as a commemorative gathering for fans, peers, family, and local residents.
Performers and program
The evening’s lineup includes a mix of local and regional jazz musicians. Confirmed performers for the tribute include Kelly Durbin, Fred Sanders, Johnny Case, Lou Harlas, Duane Durrett, Shelly Carroll, and Sandra Kaye, among others. The program is expected to present selections that reflect Clay’s repertoire and influence in hard bop and related jazz styles.
Logistics and attendance
The tribute begins at 7:00 p.m. on September 7, 2025. Tickets are available at a price of $20 per person. Attendees should plan to arrive early to secure seating. The event’s placement in early September maintains the established annual schedule for this remembrance.
Short biography of James Earl Clay
James Earl Clay was born on September 9, 1933, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and later became a longtime resident of the Dallas area. He graduated from Pine Bluff High School on May 24, 1951. After marrying Clair Vernell Pharr on January 22, 1953, Clay served in the military at Fort Bliss from 1953 to 1955. He worked at Texas Instruments in Dallas from 1959 until his retirement in 1991.
Musical career and collaborations
Known primarily as a hard bop tenor saxophonist and flutist, Clay collaborated and recorded with numerous prominent jazz artists across several decades. His recorded and live performance associations included work with Wynton Kelly, Don Cherry, Billy Higgins, Sonny Clark, Victor Feldman, Cedar Walton, Charlie Haden, David “Fathead” Newman, Wes Montgomery, Ray Charles, Hank Crawford, Dewey Redman, and Ornette Coleman. These connections place Clay within a broad network of mid-20th-century jazz figures and reflect a career that bridged regional and national scenes.
Community involvement and personal life
Clay was an active member of First Baptist Church in Grand Prairie for many years, participating in activities such as the Master Builders program and joining a mission trip to Japan with other church members. He also maintained a long-standing interest in local sports and was a season ticket holder for the Dallas Cowboys from 1961 until 2009.
Family survivors
At the time of his passing, Clay is survived by his wife of 72 years, Clair Vernell Clay; two children, Karen Clay Jordan of San Angelo and Jimmy Clay of Grand Prairie; four grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He also had a sister, Joan Clay Lowe, and a niece, Carol Dehan, both of Houston.
Context and legacy
The annual tribute highlights a local effort to preserve and honor the memory of a musician who balanced a professional career outside music with sustained artistic contributions and community ties. The event’s continuity into a 17th year indicates ongoing local interest in Clay’s work and the role such remembrances play in keeping regional musical histories alive.
Attendance notes
Attendees should prepare for a concert-format memorial in the evening hours. Ticket purchase details and any venue-specific requirements are expected to be communicated by event organizers ahead of the date. The $20 ticket price positions the tribute as a community-accessible event.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When and where is the tribute to James Earl Clay?
- The tribute is scheduled for Sunday, September 7, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in Grand Prairie, Texas.
- How much do tickets cost?
- Tickets are priced at $20 each.
- Who will perform at the event?
- Performers include Kelly Durbin, Fred Sanders, Johnny Case, Lou Harlas, Duane Durrett, Shelly Carroll, and Sandra Kaye, among others.
- Who was James Earl Clay?
- James Earl Clay was an American hard bop tenor saxophonist and flutist, born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, in 1933, later based in the Dallas area. He recorded and performed with many notable jazz musicians and worked at Texas Instruments from 1959 to 1991.
- Who survives James Earl Clay?
- He is survived by his wife, Clair Vernell Clay; two children, Karen Clay Jordan and Jimmy Clay; four grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a sister, Joan Clay Lowe; and a niece, Carol Dehan.
| Feature | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, September 7, 2025 |
| Time | 7:00 p.m. |
| Ticket Price | $20 |
| Event Type | 17th annual memorial tribute concert |
| Honoree | James Earl Clay (1933–2025) |
| Primary Performers | Kelly Durbin, Fred Sanders, Johnny Case, Lou Harlas, Duane Durrett, Shelly Carroll, Sandra Kaye |
| City | Grand Prairie, Texas |
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