Born in Utrecht but raised in Los Angeles, Clayton is the son of jazz bassist John Clayton. He has toured and recorded extensively with Charles Lloyd, appearing on two of his Blue Note albums. He served as the musical director of the Monterey Jazz Festival On Tour 2015—2016, and played with many jazz greats, including Roy Hargrove, Diana Krall and Terri Lyne Carrington. Clayton also plays in the Clayton Brothers Quintet, with his father and uncle. He has earned several Grammy nominations for his solo albums.