The Nicholas Payton Television Studio Orchestra is the most innovative and brash project in jazz music. Trumpeter, composer, arranger, and vocalist Nicholas Payton is coming out of his own shell and making the music he wants to record. The Orchestra played a week of sold-out dates at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. Nick’s compositions range from hip-hop inspired tunes to his homage to the classic and historic sound of his hometown of New Orleans. His love and vision for the music has allowed him to fuse all of the projects that he’s recorded throughout career like Sonic Trance, The Nicholas Payton Sexxtet, The Nicholas Payton Quartet, B****** Mix Tape, and his tribute to musicians like the late Louis Armstrong and Doc Cheatham. The ensemble features some critically acclaimed and seasoned musicians like Robert Hurst, Patience Higgins, and Anat Cohen, to up-and-coming talent making waves on the New York jazz scene like Erika Von Kleist, Michael Dease, Chelsea Baratz, Ulysses Owens, Jr, Mike Moreno, and Lawrence Fields.

Nicholas Payton was born into a musical family. His father, the late Walter Payton, was both an educator and one of the most request bassists in New Orleans. Nick’s mom was a vocalist and pianist instilling in him, like his father, a strong work ethic and discipline, something the Grammy-Award Winning trumpeter still takes seriously both is his professional and personal life. By the time he was nine, he was sitting in many of the local New Orleans band and ensembles like the Young Tuxedo Brass Band. While he was a teen, Nick mastered playing the bass, piano, drums, and other woodwind instruments. Although Nick has a degree in music at the University of New Orleans, his real musical lessons came from playing and backing legendary musical icons like Clark Terry, Ellis Marsalis, Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones, and Doc Cheatham.

Currently Nick is about to go on tour with the Nicholas Payton Television Studio Orchestra. For upcoming tour dates please visit him on the web at www.nicholaspayton.com. Also, please read his blog “Into The Blue” at http://nicholaspayton.wordpress.com/into-the-blue/