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Nicholas Payton was born in1973 in New Orleans, Louisiana, into a musical family. Encouraged by his mother, a pianist and vocalist, and his father the legendary bassist, composer and educator Walter Payton, Nicholas showed talent for music at a very early age. He received his first trumpet at age four and by age nine was sitting-in with local bands including the Young Tuxedo Brass Band. By the age of 12 he was a member of the All Star Brass Band that performed and toured extensively.
Nicholas has toured with scores of musicians including Clark Terry, Marcus Roberts, Ray Brown, Elvin Jones, and Roy Haynes and many more. He has also performed and recorded with many musicians representing a multitude of musical genres from jazz, R&B, and hip-hop and is credited on well over 120 recordings as a composer, arranger, special guest or sideman.
As a leader, Nicholas has recorded 8 albums under his own name including Doc Cheatham and Nicholas Payton—a 1997 GRAMMY® award-winning collaboration with the legendary trumpeter.
Nicholas has recently completed his 9th recording as a leader—a bold autobiographical solo masterwork— a love story that musically chronicles the joys and heartbreak of relationship. A provocative and breakthrough recording on many levels, Nicholas played every instrument, composed all the songs, wrote all the lyrics, produced each track, and sings and plays trumpet throughout. He is accompanied by special guest vocalists Cassandra Wilson, Esperanza Spalding, N’Dambi, Chinah Blac, and Saunders Sermons.
Nicholas Payton is a genius musician, a gifted composer and producer and a skilled astute writer. His craft and artistry defy all restrictions leaving little that he cannot do.
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