Nicholas Payton in Walnut Creek

Nicholas Payton is an American trumpeter, keyboardist, composer and bandleader born in New Orleans in 1973. His music draws on jazz, rhythm and blues, funk and other Black American traditions. His early albums as a leader include From This Moment, Gumbo Nouveau and Payton's Place. He also recorded with trumpeter Doc Cheatham, and their performance of “Stardust” received a Grammy Award. In the 1990s, Payton toured with Marcus Roberts and Elvin Jones before leading his own ensembles in clubs and at festivals. On later dates he has played trumpet and keyboards and sung, sometimes handling multiple instruments during the same performance. The live album Relaxin' with Nick documents his trio at Smoke Jazz Club in New York.