Walter Payton—New Orleans bassist and music educator—has passed away at the age of 68 on Thursday, October 28, after a long illness.
A native of the city, Payton taught for twenty-five years in the public school system of New Orleans where he influenced generations of young musicians, including his son, Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Nicholas Payton. Mr Payton was a mainstay of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and also played tuba and bass in the Young Tuxedo Brass Band and the Treme Brass Band. His bass line can be heard on such hits at Lee Dorsey's “Working in the Coal Mine" and several works of Aaron Neville.
Memorial service plans are pending.
A native of the city, Payton taught for twenty-five years in the public school system of New Orleans where he influenced generations of young musicians, including his son, Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Nicholas Payton. Mr Payton was a mainstay of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and also played tuba and bass in the Young Tuxedo Brass Band and the Treme Brass Band. His bass line can be heard on such hits at Lee Dorsey's “Working in the Coal Mine" and several works of Aaron Neville.
Memorial service plans are pending.
