Cecil Payne (December 14, 1922 – November 27, 2007) was an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

baritone saxophonist born in

Brooklyn, New York Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...

. Payne also played the alto saxophone and flute. He played with other prominent jazz musicians, in particular

Dizzy Gillespie John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie (; October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993) was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator and singer. He was a trumpet virtuoso and improviser, building on the virtuosic style of Roy Eldridge but addi ...

and

Randy Weston Randolph Edward "Randy" Weston (April 6, 1926 – September 1, 2018) was an American jazz pianist and composer whose creativity was inspired by his ancestral African connection. Weston's piano style owed much to Duke Ellington and Thelonious M ...

, in addition to his solo work as bandleader.

Biography

Payne received his first saxophone aged 13, asking his father for the instrument after hearing " Honeysuckle Rose" performed by

Count Basie William James "Count" Basie (; August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and the ...

with

Lester Young Lester Willis Young (August 27, 1909 – March 15, 1959), nicknamed "Pres" or "Prez", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and occasional clarinetist. Coming to prominence while a member of Count Basie's orchestra, Young was one of the most i ...

soloing. Payne took lessons from a local alto sax player, Pete Brown, and studied at

Boys High School Single-sex education, also known as single-gender education and gender-isolated education, is the practice of conducting education with male and female students attending separate classes, perhaps in separate buildings or schools. The practice of ...

, Bedford-Stuyvesant. Cecil Payne1

Payne began his professional recording career with

J. J. Johnson J.J. Johnson (January 22, 1924 – February 4, 2001), born James Louis Johnson and also known as Jay Jay Johnson, was an American jazz trombonist, composer and arranger. Johnson was one of the earliest trombonists to embrace bebop. Biograph ...

on the

Savoy Savoy (; frp, Savouè ; french: Savoie ) is a cultural-historical region in the Western Alps. Situated on the cultural boundary between Occitania and Piedmont, the area extends from Lake Geneva in the north to the Dauphiné in the south. Savo ...

label in 1946. During that year he also began playing with

Roy Eldridge David Roy Eldridge (January 30, 1911 – February 26, 1989), nicknamed "Little Jazz", was an American jazz trumpeter. His sophisticated use of harmony, including the use of tritone substitutions, his virtuosic solos exhibiting a departure from t ...

, through whom he met

. His earlier recordings would largely fall under the swing category, until Gillespie hired him. Payne stayed on board until 1949, heard performing solos on "Ow!" and "Stay On It". In the early 1950s, he found himself working with

Tadd Dameron Tadley Ewing Peake Dameron (February 21, 1917 – March 8, 1965) was an American jazz composer, arranger, and pianist. Biography Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Dameron was the most influential arranger of the bebop era, but also wrote charts for swi ...

, and worked with

Illinois Jacquet Jean-Baptiste "Illinois" Jacquet (October 30, 1922 – July 22, 2004) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, best remembered for his solo on "Flying Home", critically recognized as the first R&B saxophone solo. Although he was a pioneer of t ...

from 1952 to 1954. He then started freelance work in New York City and frequently performed during this period with

, whom Payne worked with until 1960. Payne was still recording regularly for

Delmark Records Delmark Records is an American jazz and blues independent record label. It was founded in 1958 and is based in Chicago, Illinois. The label originated in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1953 when then owner, and founder, Bob Koester released a record ...

in the 1990s, when he was in his 70s, and indeed on into the new millennium. Payne was a cousin of trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, with whom he recorded with briefly. Aside from his career in music, Payne helped run his father's

real estate Real estate is property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this (also) an item of real property, (more general ...

company during the 1950s. Payne once said that his parents urged him to consider dentistry as a career. He countered their suggestion by pointing out that no one would ever entrust his or her teeth to a "Dr. Payne". He died in Stratford, New Jersey, from prostate cancer at the age of 84.

Discography

As leader

*"Block Buster Boogie" b/w "Angel Child" (Decca, 1949) *"Hippy Dippy" b/w "No Chops" (Decca, 1949) *''

Patterns of Jazz ''Patterns of Jazz'' is an album by saxophonist Cecil Payne recorded in 1956 and re-issued on the Savoy label.Savoy Savoy (; frp, Savouè ; french: Savoie ) is a cultural-historical region in the Western Alps. Situated on the cultural boundary between Occitania and Piedmont, the area extends from Lake Geneva in the north to the Dauphiné in the south. Savo ...

, 1957) *''Cecil Payne Performing Charlie Parker Music'' (Charlie Parker, 1961) *''The Connection'' (Charlie Parker, 1962) *''Brookfield Andante'' (Spotlite, 1966) *''

Zodiac The zodiac is a belt-shaped region of the sky that extends approximately 8° north or south (as measured in celestial latitude) of the ecliptic, the Sun path, apparent path of the Sun across the celestial sphere over the course of the year. ...

'' ( Strata-East, 1968

973 Year 973 ( CMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * Spring – The Byzantine army, led by General Melias (Domestic of the S ...

*''

Brooklyn Brothers ''Brooklyn Brothers'' is an album led by saxophonist Cecil Payne and pianist Duke Jordan recorded in 1973 and released on the Muse label.Duke Jordan Irving Sidney "Duke" Jordan (April 1, 1922 – August 8, 2006) was an American jazz pianist. Biography Jordan was born in New York and raised in Brooklyn where he attended Boys High School. An imaginative and gifted pianist, Jordan was a regula ...

*'' Bird Gets The Worm'' (Muse, 1976) *''Bright Moments'' (Spotlight, 1979) *''

Cerupa ''Cerupa'' is an album by the American jazz saxophonist/flautist Cecil Payne, recorded in 1993 and released by the Delmark label in 1995.

'' (Delmark, 1993), with Eric Alexander,

Harold Mabern Harold Mabern Jr. (March 20, 1936 – September 17, 2019) was an American jazz pianist and composer, principally in the hard bop, post-bop, and soul jazz fields.Feather, Leonard; Gitler, Ira (2007) ''The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz''. p. 42 ...

and (1 track)

Freddie Hubbard Frederick Dewayne Hubbard (April 7, 1938 – December 29, 2008) was an American jazz trumpeter. He played bebop, hard bop, and post-bop styles from the early 1960s onwards. His unmistakable and influential tone contributed to new perspectives fo ...

*''

Scotch and Milk ''Scotch and Milk'' is an album by the American jazz saxophonist/flautist Cecil Payne, recorded in 1996 and released by the Delmark label the following year.

'' (Delmark, 1997) *'' Payne's Window'' (Delmark, 1998) *''The Brooklyn Four Plus One'' (Progressive, 1999) *''Chic Boom: Live at the Jazz Showcase'' (Delmark, 2000), with tenor player Eric Alexander.

As sideman

With

Cannonball Adderley Julian Edwin "Cannonball" Adderley (September 15, 1928August 8, 1975) was an American jazz alto saxophonist of the hard bop era of the 1950s and 1960s. Adderley is perhaps best remembered for the 1966 soul jazz single "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy", whi ...

*''

Julian "Cannonball" Adderley Julian Edwin "Cannonball" Adderley (September 15, 1928August 8, 1975) was an American jazz alto saxophonist of the hard bop era of the 1950s and 1960s. Adderley is perhaps best remembered for the 1966 soul jazz single "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy", whi ...

'' (EmArcy 1955) With

Gene Ammons Eugene "Jug" Ammons (April 14, 1925 – August 6, 1974), also known as "The Boss", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. The son of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons, Gene Ammons is remembered for his accessible music, steeped in soul and ...

*''

Sock! ''Sock!'' is an album by saxophonist Gene Ammons compiling sessions recorded between 1954 and 1962 and released on the Prestige label in 1965.965 With

*''

High Voltage High voltage electricity refers to electrical potential large enough to cause injury or damage. In certain industries, ''high voltage'' refers to voltage above a certain threshold. Equipment and conductors that carry high voltage warrant spec ...

'' (MPS, 1970) With

Nick Brignola Nicholas Thomas "Nick" Brignola (July 17, 1936 – February 8, 2002) was an American jazz baritone saxophonist. Biography Brignola was born on July 17, 1936 in Troy, New York. He was born into a musical family in which his father played the tu ...

*''

Burn Brigade ''Burn Brigade'' is an album by baritone saxophonist Nick Brignola which was recorded in 1979 and released on the Bee Hive label.Kenny Burrell Kenneth Earl Burrell (born July 31, 1931) is an American jazz guitarist known for his work on numerous top jazz labels: Prestige, Blue Note, Verve, CTI, Muse, and Concord. His collaborations with Jimmy Smith were notable, and produced the 1965 ...

*''

Kenny Burrell Kenneth Earl Burrell (born July 31, 1931) is an American jazz guitarist known for his work on numerous top jazz labels: Prestige, Blue Note, Verve, CTI, Muse, and Concord. His collaborations with Jimmy Smith were notable, and produced the 1965 ...

'' (Prestige, 1957) With

Jimmy Cleveland James Milton Cleveland (May 3, 1926 – August 23, 2008) was an American jazz trombonist born in Wartrace, Tennessee.

*''

Introducing Jimmy Cleveland and His All Stars ''Introducing Jimmy Cleveland and His All Stars'' is the debut album led by American trombonist Jimmy Cleveland featuring tracks recorded in 1955. It was released on the EmArcy label.Fitzgerald, M.Jimmy Cleveland Leader Entryaccessed October 26, 2 ...

'' (EmArcy, 1955) With

Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Ge ...

*''

Drown in My Own Tears "Drown in My Own Tears", originally credited as "I'll Drown in My Tears", is a song written by Henry Glover. It is best known in the version released as a single in 1956 by Ray Charles on the Atlantic record label. History "Drown in My Own Tear ...

'' With

Kenny Clarke Kenneth Clarke Spearman (January 9, 1914January 26, 1985), nicknamed Klook, was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. A major innovator of the bebop style of drumming, he pioneered the use of the ride cymbal to keep time rather than the hi-ha ...

and

Ernie Wilkins Ernest Brooks Wilkins Jr. (July 20, 1922 – June 5, 1999) was an American jazz saxophonist, conductor and arranger who spent several years with Count Basie. He also wrote for Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, and Dizzy Gillespie. He was musical direc ...

*'' Kenny Clarke & Ernie Wilkins'' (Savoy, 1955) With

John Coltrane John William Coltrane (September 23, 1926 – July 17, 1967) was an American jazz saxophonist The saxophone (often referred to colloquially as the sax) is a type of single-reed woodwind instrument with a conical body, usually made of br ...

*''

Baritones and French Horns ''Baritones and French Horns'' is a rpm album released in August 1958 by Prestige Records. The album is one of a series of releases attributed to the ''Prestige All Stars''. Each side of the album was a distinct date with distinct personnel ...

'' (Prestige, 1957) *''

Dakar Dakar ( ; ; wo, Ndakaaru) (from daqaar ''tamarind''), is the capital and largest city of Senegal. The city of Dakar proper has a population of 1,030,594, whereas the population of the Dakar metropolitan area is estimated at 3.94 million in 2 ...

'' (Prestige, 1963) With

*''Cool Boppin´'' (Fresh Sound, 1949) *''

Fontainebleau Fontainebleau (; ) is a commune in the metropolitan area of Paris, France. It is located south-southeast of the centre of Paris. Fontainebleau is a sub-prefecture of the Seine-et-Marne department, and it is the seat of the ''arrondissement ...

'' (Prestige 1956) With

Kenny Dorham McKinley Howard "Kenny" Dorham (August 30, 1924 – December 5, 1972) was an American jazz trumpeter, singer, and composer. Dorham's talent is frequently lauded by critics and other musicians, but he never received the kind of attention or public ...

*''

Afro-Cuban Afro-Cubans or Black Cubans are Cubans of West African ancestry. The term ''Afro-Cuban'' can also refer to historical or cultural elements in Cuba thought to emanate from this community and the combining of native African and other cultural ele ...

'' (Blue Note, 1955) *'' Blue Spring'' (Riverside, 1959) – with

With

Rolf Ericson Rolf Ericson (August 29, 1922 – June 16, 1997) was a Swedish jazz trumpeter. He also played the flugelhorn. Yanow, Scott. Biography ''AllMusic'' Early career Ericson was born in Stockholm, Sweden. He moved to New York City in 1947 and, in 194 ...

*''Rolf Ericson And His All American Stars'' (EmArcy, 1956

958 Year 958 ( CMLVIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * October / November – Battle of Raban: The Byzantines under John Tzimiskes ...

– Originally issued by Metronome in Sweden, reissued by Fresh Sound With

Matthew Gee Matthew Gee (November 25, 1925 in Houston, Texas – July 18, 1979 in New York City) was an American bebop trombonist and part-time actor. Gee played trumpet and baritone as a child, and took up the trombone at age 11. After studying at Alabama ...

*''

Jazz by Gee ''Jazz by Gee'' is the debut album by American jazz trombonist Matthew Gee featuring tracks recorded in 1956 for the Riverside label.

'' (Riverside, 1956) With

*''

The Complete RCA Victor Recordings ''The Complete RCA Victor Recordings'' is a 1995 compilation 2-CD set of sessions led by Jazz trumpeter and composer Dizzy Gillespie recorded for the RCA Victor label between 1937 and 1949. Reception Writing for Allmusic, Richard S. Ginell stat ...

'' (Bluebird, 1937-1949

995 Year 995 ( CMXCV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Japan * 17 May - Fujiwara no Michitaka (imperial regent) dies. * 3 June: Fujiwara no Michikane gain ...

*''

Dizzy Gillespie and His Big Band Dizziness is an imprecise term that can refer to a sense of disorientation in space, vertigo, or lightheadedness. It can also refer to disequilibrium or a non-specific feeling, such as giddiness or foolishness. Dizziness is a common medical c ...

'' recorded 1948 (GNP-23, 1957) *''Pleyel 48'' (Vogue, 1948) *'' The Dizzy Gillespie Reunion Big Band'' (MPS, 1968) With

Benny Golson Benny Golson (born January 25, 1929) is an American bebop/hard bop jazz tenor saxophonist, composer, and arranger. He came to prominence with the big bands of Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie, more as a writer than a performer, before launch ...

*''

Stockholm Sojourn ''Stockholm Sojourn'' is an album by the International Jazz Orchestra directed by Benny Golson which was recorded in Sweden in 1964 and originally released on the Prestige label.

'' (Prestige, 1974) With

Al Grey Al Grey (June 6, 1925 – March 24, 2000) was an American jazz trombonist who was a member of the Count Basie orchestra. He was known for his plunger mute technique and wrote an instructional book in 1987 called ''Plunger Techniques''. Care ...

*''

Struttin' and Shoutin' ''Struttin' and Shoutin is an album by trombonist Al Grey recorded in 1976 but not released on Columbia Records until 1983.

'' (Columbia, 1976

983 Year 983 ( CMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * Summer – Diet of Verona: Emperor Otto II (the Red) declares war against the Byza ...

With

Gigi Gryce Gigi Gryce (born George General Grice Jr.; November 28, 1925 – March 14, 1983), later Basheer Qusim, was an American jazz saxophonist, flautist, clarinetist, composer, arranger, and educator. While his performing career was relatively short, ...

*'' Doin' the Gigi'' (Uptown, 2011) With Johnny Hammond *'' The Prophet'' (Kudu, 1972) With Ernie Henry *''

Last Chorus ''Last Chorus'' is a posthumous album by American jazz saxophonist Ernie Henry featuring tracks recorded in 1956 and 1957 for the Riverside Records, Riverside label.Illinois Jacquet Jean-Baptiste "Illinois" Jacquet (October 30, 1922 – July 22, 2004) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, best remembered for his solo on "Flying Home", critically recognized as the first R&B saxophone solo. Although he was a pioneer of t ...

*'' Groovin' with Jacquet'' (Clef, 1951-53 956 *'' The Soul Explosion'' (Prestige, 1969) With

*''Jazz Quintets'' (Savoy, 1947–49) With

Philly Joe Jones Joseph Rudolph "Philly Joe" Jones (July 15, 1923 – August 30, 1985) was an American jazz drummer. Biography Early career As a child, Jones appeared as a featured tap dancer on ''The Kiddie Show'' on the Philadelphia radio station WIP. He was ...

Dameronia Dameronia was the name of a bebop jazz ensemble founded by Don Sickler To Tadd with Love ''To Tadd with Love'' is an album by drummer Philly Joe Jones' Dameronia which was recorded and released on the Uptown label in 1982. Biography Ridley was born and reared in Indianapolis, Indiana. He began performing professionally while still i ...

'' (Uptown, 1982) * ''

Look Stop Listen ''Look Stop Listen'' (listed on label as ''Look Stop and Listen'') is an album by drummer Philly Joe Jones' Dameronia which was recorded and released on the Uptown label in 1983. Biography Ridley was born and reared in Indianapolis, Indiana. He ...

'' (Uptown, 1983) With

Quincy Jones Quincy Delight Jones Jr. (born March 14, 1933) is an American record producer, musician, songwriter, composer, arranger, and film and television producer. His career spans 70 years in the entertainment industry with a record of 80 Grammy Award n ...

* '' Golden Boy'' (Mercury, 1964) With

Duke Jordan Irving Sidney "Duke" Jordan (April 1, 1922 – August 8, 2006) was an American jazz pianist. Biography Jordan was born in New York and raised in Brooklyn where he attended Boys High School. An imaginative and gifted pianist, Jordan was a regula ...

*'' Duke Jordan Trio and Quintet'' (Signal, 1955) With James Moody *'' The Blues and Other Colors'' (Milestone, 1969) With

Archie Shepp Archie Shepp (born May 24, 1937) is an American jazz saxophonist, educator and playwright who since the 1960s has played a central part in the development of avant-garde jazz. Biography Early life Shepp was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but ...

*''

Kwanza The kwanza (sign: Kz; ISO 4217 code: ) is the currency of Angola. Four different currencies using the name kwanza have circulated since 1977. The currency derives its name from the Kwanza River (Cuanza, Coanza, Quanza). Overview First kwanza ...

'' (Impulse!, 1974) With Jimmy Smith *''

Six Views of the Blues ''Six Views of the Blues'' is an album by American jazz organist Jimmy Smith (musician), Jimmy Smith featuring performances recorded in 1958 but not released on the Blue Note Records, Blue Note label until 1999.Sonny Stitt Edward Hammond Boatner Jr. (February 2, 1924 – July 22, 1982), known professionally as Sonny Stitt, was an American jazz saxophonist of the bebop/hard bop idiom. Known for his warm tone, he was one of the best-documented saxophonists of his ...

*''

Sonny Stitt Plays Arrangements from the Pen of Quincy Jones ''Sonny Stitt Plays Arrangements from the Pen of Quincy Jones'' is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1955 and originally released on the Roost Records, Roost label.Edwards, D. & Callahan, MRoyal Roost/Roost Album Discographyaccessed ...

'' (Roost, 1955) With

Idrees Sulieman Idrees Sulieman (August 7, 1923 – July 23, 2002) was an American bop and hard bop trumpeter. Biography He was born Leonard Graham in St. Petersburg, Florida, United States, later changing his name to Idrees Sulieman, after converting to Isl ...

*''

Roots A root is the part of a plant, generally underground, that anchors the plant body, and absorbs and stores water and nutrients. Root or roots may also refer to: Art, entertainment, and media * ''The Root'' (magazine), an online magazine focusing ...

'' (New Jazz, 1957) with the Prestige All Stars With

Clark Terry Clark Virgil Terry Jr. (December 14, 1920 – February 21, 2015) was an American swing and bebop trumpeter, a pioneer of the flugelhorn in jazz, and a composer and educator. He played with Charlie Barnet (1947), Count Basie (1948–51), Duke ...

: *''

'' (EmArcy, 1955) With

Leon Thomas Amos Leon Thomas Jr. (October 4, 1937 – May 8, 1999), known professionally as Leon Thomas, was an American jazz and blues vocalist, born in East St. Louis, Illinois, and known for his bellowing glottal-stop style of free jazz singing in the l ...

*'' Blues and the Soulful Truth'' (Flying Dutchman, 1972) With

*'' With These Hands...'' (Riverside, 1956) *''

Jazz à la Bohemia ''Jazz à la Bohemia'' (also released as ''Greenwich Village Jazz'') is a live album by American jazz pianist Randy Weston's trio with saxophonist Cecil Payne which was recorded in 1956 at the Café Bohemia in Greenwich Village and released on th ...

'' (Riverside, 1956) *''

The Modern Art of Jazz by Randy Weston ''The Modern Art of Jazz by Randy Weston'' (also released as ''How High the Moon'') is a jazz album by American pianist Randy Weston recorded in 1956 and released on the Dawn label. Reception Allmusic awarded the album 3 stars, with the review b ...

'' (Dawn, 1956) *'' Uhuru Afrika'' (Roulette, 1960) *''

Monterey '66 ''Monterey '66'' is a live album by American jazz pianist Randy Weston recorded in 1966 at the Monterey Jazz Festival but not released on the Verve label until 1994. Reception Allmusic awarded the album 4½ stars, with its review by Al Campbe ...

'' (Verve, 1966

994 Year 994 ( CMXCIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * September 15 – Battle of the Orontes: Fatimid forces, under Turkish gener ...

With

*''Septet'' (Savoy, 1955)

References

External links

Cecil Payne recordings
at the

Discography of American Historical Recordings The Discography of American Historical Recordings (DAHR) is a database of master recordings made by American record companies during the 78rpm era. The DAHR provides some of these original recordings, free of charge, via audio streaming, along with ...

. {{DEFAULTSORT:Payne, Cecil 1922 births 2007 deaths 20th-century American male musicians 20th-century American saxophonists 20th-century flautists American jazz alto saxophonists American jazz baritone saxophonists American jazz flautists American male jazz musicians American male saxophonists Bebop flautists Bebop saxophonists Dameronia members Delmark Records artists Hard bop saxophonists Jazz baritone saxophonists Jazz musicians from New York (state) Muse Records artists Musicians from Brooklyn Savoy Records artists Strata-East Records artists