My name is Mark Payne. I am an artist, musician, jazz-DJ, producer/promoter and manager. Currently I am working on my own upcoming jazz club in Harlem as well as being manager to the Legendary jazz Vocalist and lyricist, Jon Hendricks plus 9 more of the brightest and most talented jazz, soul and R&B/Urban music artists on the Planet.
I am a life-long lover of ALL music,(Jazz, R&B, Soul, Funk, Hip-Hop, Blues, Acid jazz, and even pre-80's Country Music), but with a definite passion for JAZZ.
The great Duke Ellington once said, "There are only two kinds of music, GOOD and BAD."
My love affair with jazz started in elementary school when my music teacher, Mrs. Barton, introduced the class to Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer", from the soundtrack of the movie "The Sting." I didn't know why at the time, but at the slow part towards the end of the piece, I cried. I think I knew at that very moment that music would play a major role in the rest of my life.
In 2005-06 while working as General Manager at EAST OF EIGHTH restaurant in Chelsea, I turned what was an empty room on Thursday nights into a weekly jazz venue called THE EIGHTH NOTE. (Some of you may have heard of it). This was my first real hand at producing and curating LIVE jazz. Prior to the success of The Eighth Note I was the Jazz-DJ for years at THE BAR, in the East Village where jazz legends Anita O'Day and Cecil Taylor appeared.
In the Spring of '07, I became the Curator/Promoter/Producer at MANNAHATTA Lounge, a beautiful spacious room on the Bowery. The challenges were many. What I brought to the club was a vast knowledge of AND a passionate appreciation for jazz and its history. The many years I worked as a bartender, DJ, sound designer and promoter also developed my "ear" for truly great music.
We presented many GREAT Jazz, Blues, and Soul artists with resounding success. This venue held tremendous promise. Unfortunately, as often happens in far too many NYC clubs, the owners of Mannahatta canceled the live jazz program opting for the larger profits that could be made from dj’s spinning for crowds of bumpers and grinders. With money being more important than art, far too many club owners would not know the difference between Yardbird and Big Bird. Regardless, I was sorry to see it end.
The following day, after leaving Mannahatta, (whether by chance, design, or divine intervention), I was asked to be Production Manager for the 1st annual JAZZ IMPROV LIVE Convention. I would be in charge of 10 shows at Virgin Mega Stores. The events, covering 4 days, included some of jazz' major players including The Robert Glasper Trio, Chembo Corniel Quartet, The Bob Devos Trio, the astounding Akiko Tsuruga (with Eric Johnson on guitar and Vince Ector on drums). The convention finale was a Motema Records all-star concert: 4 full bands, 3 quintets and a little big band, (all in just 3 HOURS), including bassist Rufus Reid, vocalist Amy London, Guitarist Roni Ben-Hur and singer/songwriter KJ Denhert. The entire event was amazing. The combination of musicians and flow of all the concerts was about as smooth as it gets. I thank Jamie Cosnowsky and Eric Nemeyer of JAZZ IMPROV Magazine for their faith and confidence in me.
After the convention, I interviewed for and was offered the position as the new Jazz Club Manager at Danny Meyer's renowned NYC venue, Jazz Standard, one of the finest Jazz clubs in the World. My time at Jazz Standard was very rewarding and very productive. I have hosted and worked with some of the finest, most incredible jazz talents on the Planet, including Lee Konitz, Louis Hayes, Terence Blanchard, Christian McBride, Freddy Cole and many more including my idol, the legendary Jon Hendricks.
After working together at Jazz Standard, Jon asked me to be his new manager. Without hesitation I accepted and I am now managing him full-time. We have many exciting new upcoming projects, including a New York production of Jon's play "Evolution of the Blues".
At the same time, I am working on my life-long ambition, opening Harlem's newest and largest major Jazz Club and Restaurant, "Crescendo", slated to open in September 2009, where Jon Hendricks will be resident performer.
Crescendo will be a venue in which the greatest performers of jazz, blues, soul, R&B, poetry and dance will be able to freely express themselves through their art to large audiences of Neighbors and tourists alike. The club will also include valuable educational and community outreach programs.
more to come...
Please feel free to contact me at JazzPaynter Music for any further information about the company, the new club, Jon Hendricks or ANY of the artists I represent.
I'm Mark Payne.
"Jazz LIVES Here"
www.jazzpayntermusic.com