Claire Daly grew up in NY, hearing many jazz greats as a young girl. She studied with legendary teacher Joe Viola and has made a living playing music since graduating Berklee College. Daly has been the winner of many awards, including the Jazz Journalist “Baritonist of the Year” in 2017 and 2018 as well as multiple Downbeat and Jazztimes Critic and Reader Polls. Claire’s first release as a leader, “Swing Low” is featured in the Presidential Library of Bill Clinton, as a CD significant to him while he was in office.

Most recently, her band released “2648 West Grand Blvd” on Glass Beach Jazz Label – jazz versions of Motown hits from the Detroit years. It was on the Jazzweek charts for 11 weeks.

Her CD, “Baritone Monk” was on the Jazzweek Charts for 24 weeks, 9 of which in the top ten. She has presented her quartet at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Litchfield JF, Pittsfield JF, Chicago JF, (and many more) as well as touring the west coast, and performing at the Monk Gala with Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock. The band has performed at many festivals and venues. Claire teaches at many jazz camps (Litchfield for 20 years, Mile High, Centrum) as well as privately in NYC. She says, “Improvising a life in music is the best choice I could have made with my life.”