Photo ©Scott Friedlander
BILL PAYNE, clarinet
Bill Payne was raised in Harvey, Illinois and began playing clarinet at age 10, later studying with Don Kramer and Lewis Wyatt. He has experienced a unique life on the road with theatre companies, Broadway shows, big bands, and traveling circuses. Bill’s improvisations have received spectacular reviews noting his originality, range, beauty of sound and deep expression. He cites meeting Connie Crothers as a major turning point in his musical life, leading to their outstanding performances and recordings. Other artists he has worked with include Eva Lindal, Carol Liebowitz, poet Mark Weber, Richard Tabnik, Roger Mancuso, Kevin Norton, Bud Tristano, Cheryl Richards, Michael Vlatkovich, William Roper, Chris Garcia, and Harry Scorzo. Bill has performed at venues including The Stone, iBeam, Connie Crothers’ Loft Concert Series in Brooklyn, Outpost Performance Space in Albuquerque, NM, and the Center For The Arts in Eagle Rock, CA.
“Payne’s clarinet moves like a leaf buffeted by the wind…” —Ed Hazell, Point of Departure
“This is improvised music at its finest!” —Marc Medwin, All About Jazz-New York
Bill Payne and Connie Crothers’ CD “Conversations” on New Artists Records was voted one of the “Best 10 Jazz CDs Released in 2008” by Bill Shoemaker (DownBeat) and Art Lange (Point of Departure) in the Village Voice Jazz Critics Poll. “Payne Lindal Liebowitz” a trio recording with Carol Liebowitz and Eva Lindal on Line Art Records was voted one of the Top Ten Jazz CDs by Art Lange in the 2015 NPR Jazz Critics Poll.