About Don Payne

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© 2002, Don Payne

A bassist/composer/arranger/theorist and most recently for Jazzazart Productions, the producer of two uniquely artistic CD's for his small Indy label, Recycled Notes. The veteran Bassist/Bass Guitarist is a highly respected creative accompanist both on tour and recording with some of our most renowned singers and instrumentalists. A choice of producers, arrangers and recording artists for more than forty years, Don has appeared on dozens of albums, many #1 hit singles, several tours of Europe, Africa, Japan, South America, including European and domestic Jazz festivals.

Born in Texas 1/7/33 raised in Santa Ana, California. Don studied music throughout his school years, and began playing bass in his high school orchestra. After two years in the U.S.Army, he gained recognition in the Los Angeles area in 1955, as one of several young Jazz musicians rising to prominence in the Hollywood scene.

Don in the 70's

Don made the big move to New York City in 1958, accepting an invitation to join Ralph Sharon's trio backing Tony Bennett. This began a thirty year residency that included cherished friendships and an enormous learning curve that encompassed appearances at NYC jazz clubs like The Village Vanguard, The Half Note, Birdland and The Bottom Line with artists like Joe Beck, Zoot Sims, Herbie Mann and Brazillian friends like Ton Jobim and Joáo and Astrud Gilberto with their glorious music and adventurous spirit, as well as steady session work, participation in the quickly evolving Jazz culture, shaping of the bottom lines of America's new music and raising a family at home in So. Nyack, NY.

In 1988 the family moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where Don wanted to play more creatively and put commercial work aside.

Says Don: "My advisors, Percy Heath and Ray Brown encouraged me to play only acoustic bass again and let my jazz spirit guide my efforts. That was ten years ago, and I have never felt more creative and artistic than I do now".

Check out Don's discography >