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Nicholas Payton: Afro-Caribbean Mixtape

By MARK F. TURNER

In 2011 New Orleans trumpeter Nicholas Payton set fire to social media with his outspoken views on the death of jazz, race and Black American music. The backdraft produced not only fiercely opposing views but also hate-mail directed towards Payton. While the debate continues on what is and what isn't jazz, there's never been a question about Payton's talent or abilities. Throughout his discography as a Postmodern New Orleans musician, Payton's mastery of the horn is without reproach and sung ...

Nicholas Payton Trio at Dazzle

By GEOFF ANDERSON

Nicholas Payton Trio Dazzle Denver, CO March 5, 2016 Payton or Peyton? Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference. They're both from jny: New Orleans. Both Payton and Peyton are in the entertainment business. They've both recently wrapped up brief stays in jny: Denver. And they are (or in the case of Peyton, were) a couple of the best in their respective businesses. Payton played is last gig in Denver Sunday night as ...

Nicholas Payton: Sketches of Brilliance

By NICHOLAS F. MONDELLO

Trumpeter Nicholas Payton has distinguished himself over the decades as a continually evolving artist of significant vision, artistry and focus. He's a musician who knows, respects and displays his roots, knows where he's at now and where he's going creatively. Under his own BMF Records label, Payton recently released Sketches of Spain a new recording with Payton performing the Miles Davis/Gil Evans classic live--a daunting accomplishment. His original composition, “Black American Symphony" is a forthcoming release. All About ...

Nicholas Payton: Boston, February 24, 2011

By AJS

Nicholas PaytonScullers Jazz ClubBoston, MAFebruary 24, 2011 Pressing the unmuted bell of his trumpet right up to the microphone, trumpet player Nicholas Payton invited, impressed, seduced and surprised the crowd at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston. Yet he never assaulted the audience, despite power and confidence to burn. Immense energy was being channeled, but never restrained. Thursday's 8:00 pm set began at the darkest ends of both register and mood. Payton's ...

Nicholas Payton: Playing Strong and Playing Blue

By R.J. DELUKE

Trumpeter Nicholas Payton started out years ago as a musician known for being steeped in the traditions of his New Orleans origins. The “young lion" of about fifteen years ago had a brash, bold sound. He even produced a Louis Armstrong tribute--Dear Louis (Verve, 2001)--and did an album working with the classy Armstrong contemporary Doc Cheatham--Doc Cheatham & Nicholas Payton (Verve, 1997). But he continued to grow and explore other avenues, showing contemporary influences with the release of Sonic Trance ...

Nicholas Payton: Into The Blue

By CHRIS MAY

This is a strange mixture of an album. It includes passages of extraordinary and singular beauty and others of noodling anonymity. Practically all of the interest lies in trumpeter Nicholas Payton's performances; most of the blandness comes from his band. The two best tracks, “Drucilla" and “Chinatown," are so exquisitely gorgeous that they almost make up for the grey stuff. But they're outnumbered and it's a tough battle.

The approximate dividing line is keyboard player Kevin Hays. Along ...

Nicholas Payton & Sonic Trance: Live in New York 1.24.04

By JEFF STOCKTON

On the surface, Nicholas Payton's Sonic Trance is a fusion band. The leader occasionally tricks out his horn with effects, pianist Scott Kinsey moves over to electric keyboard from time to time, and percussionist Daniel Sadownick does his best to establish an Agharta vibe on congas. But there is no electric guitar in Sonic Trance, and Vicente Archer lays down the groove over the course of this hour-long concert solely on acoustic bass. Every trumpet player is forced at one ...

A Fireside Chat with Nicholas Payton

By AAJ STAFF

The term “young lion" has followed Nicholas Payton for the duration of his budding career. Fueled by urban legends of Wynton's personal involvement, pressure for Payton must now seem par for the course. Judging by Sonic Trance, his new album for Warner Bros., Payton has survived and more importantly, matured from the industry's unforgiving process. This bodes well for the trumpeter, whose purity in tone and dynamic attack testify to his technical facility. Coupled with a sense of swing that ...

Nicholas Payton Puts NYC In A 'Sonic Trance'

By AAJ STAFF

Nicholas Payton's “Sonic Trance" Iridium New York City October, 17, 2003

Nicholas Payton put the Big Apple in a “Sonic Trance" one cool October evening. Iridium is a delightful dining place, which also happens to host the best acts in jazz. When you're in New York, head over to 1650 Broadway at 51st Street to get the low-down in mid-town.

Trumpeter Nicholas Payton brought his latest quintet with him. He also brought some of ...

Nicholas Payton: In Conversation

By GREGORY J. ROBB

In some ways, Nicholas Payton's new Warner release, Sonic Trance, was inevitable: he says he was headed this way for quite some time. However, this record represents something of a highlight for the native of New Orleans ' a reach that grasps new uses of technology for aesthetic effect.

From the moment we first hear, 'Sonic trance, sonic trance” echo through our headsets, we know we're in for something new made from something old. In Payton's case, sounds ...