Album Notes

Combine a splash of Grover Washington Jr. with a dab of Santana, add groove for "flava". Remix ... and serve while hot!

For Cal Payne, it truly is all about the music. Far beyond the cliché and deeper than a casual flirtation with melody and sound, Cal Payne is a player to his core. With a jazz/instrumental style that combines elements of R&B, latin, fusion jazz, and rock, his performance and presence invokes a combination of Grover Washington Jr. and Santana. Driven by an unceasing desire to compose and perform, he is most alive when engaged in the emotional and spiritual experience of making music. Music: this is the essence of the Cal Payne Project.

Among several qualities that distinguished him then, and continue to set him apart now, is a fascinating hybrid of technique and style due to his never having taken formal music lessons. The unique optimism and perception of music that is found in self-taught players marks his approach to music with an attention to what music can do and how many ways it can be approached. The result is a bold and unconventional improvisation style that goes for the guts and doesn’t hold back or play it safe, yet not at the cost of his connection with his audience. His performances are known to be accessible and evocative for the listeners while complex and challenging for those who seek to learn and perform with him.

This debut album presents the energy and vision of Payne’s fusion sound and certifies his credentials as a tireless, impeccable performer. The Cal Payne Project features a diverse group of musicians who have been playing with Payne since 2004, including his long-time musical partners Steve Crumpton on bass guitar and Michael Burke on acoustic and electric guitars, and with drums/percussion from Mark Manczuk and piano/keyboards from Jerome Korman. The strength of this exceptional creative team and Payne’s innovative composition and improvisation style made The Cal Payne Project a striking debut.