Back from Istanbul

Dear Friends,

As if a summer of touring the US and Canada was not enough (NY, Toronto, Montreal, Chicago, SF, LA - all in one season!) I am amazed and humbled by it all!

It was hard to leave Turkey, what an amazing place! My top priority was studying with Turkish clarinet Serkan Çagri, a great human being and extremely talented. While there I met classical clarinet star Boja Kragulj, who, in between worldwide symphony appearances, is studying with Serkan on a Fulbright Scholarship. Met lots of great people there, some fine musicians, and I am definitely looking forward to my next visit to the really unique artistic scene in the ancient city of Istanbul.


Had a wonderful time in Paris with the Lionel Young Band (which really tore it up - four nights of capacity crowds at le Meridien Etoile Jazz Club). Yes, I could go there again, too! Meanwhile, I am writing you from NY, where I am recording for my dear friend, Thiago de Mello...

Will be home in time to do my favorite gig: Second Thursday at Caffe Sole. This month the quartet will feature Francisco Marques along with the amazing Dave Willey and dynamo Raoul Rossiter.  Guaranteed fun for dancers and listeners!


Then I am off to Austin for a week of gigs with a variety of music, most notably two nights at the Elephant Room with my dear old friend, the amazing Stanley Smith.

Please join in the fun!

THUR   Dec 8,   7:30pm   Caffe Sole (Table Mesa Center, 637 S Broadway, Bldr)
Dexter Payne Quartet with Francisco Marques, Dave Willey, Raoul Rossiter

And if you have friends in Austin:
FRI      SOS Christmas party with Bill Oliver and the Otter Space Band
SAT     Bossa Christmas at  Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center
MON  wi Sayra Elizabeth Campbell "Bummer Nite" at Artz Ribhouse 7:30-9:30
TUE    wi Stan Smith at Elephant Room 6-8
WED   wi Stan Smith & the Jazz Pharaohs at Elephant Room 6-8
WED   wi Jon Emery Band at Jovita's   8:30-10:30

See you there!
Dexter

Dazzle, Paris, Istanbul

Hi friends,

A last minute notice to Colorado listeners: Wed night at Dazzle in Denver we have a rare appearance of the full Kailin Yong Peace Project!

WED   Nov 2, 7pm    Dazzle (9th&Lincoln, Denver)
Kailin Yong Peace Project: 
Kailin Yong, Jesse Manno, Bret Bowen, Jeff Jenkins, Dexter Payne, Carl Dixon, Kim Stone.

Be there! You will be glad you did.

Then Im off to Paris! Four days (Nov 9-12) at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club (le Hotel Meridien Etoile) and then two concerts for the Blues sur Seine Festival (Nov 13 & 15) in and around Mantes-le- Jolie, just west of Paris.

Taking advantage of travel so far east, I then plan to go to Istanbul to soak in the rich music of that region...

Returning just in time for:

THUR  Dec 8, 7:30pm at Caffe Sole  
Dexter Payne Quartet: 
with Bill Kopper, Dave Willey, Raoul Rossiter


(Please support our ongoing SECOND THURSDAY at Caffe Sole, which Bill, Dave and Raoul will be keeping alive on Nov 10th.)


See you in Paris!
Dexter

Choro tonight!!!

Dear friends,

Busy times continue! By Tues I will be on the road for dates in California and the Blues Cruise out of San Diego (docking in Cabo, La Paz, Loreto). Then after a very few days home its off to Paris and Istanbul.

BUT WAIT!
Tonight is one of my favorite things in the world - choros, forro, samba with Bill Kopper, Dave Willey, Raoul Rossiter. Music does not get any better. Good for dancing, too! So come on down to Caffe Sole!

See you there!
Dexter


THUR  Oct 13, 7:30-10:30  Caffe Sole (Table Mesa Center, Bldr)
Dexter Payne Quartet wi Bill Kopper, Dave Willey, Raoul Rossiter

TUE  Oct 18, 7pm   Sun and Moon (SLC, UT)
Lionel Young Band

THUR  Oct 20, 8pm   Biscuits & Blues (401 Mason St, SF, CA)

Lionel Young Band

FRI  Oct 21, 8pm  Lozano's Grill (Stockton, CA)

Lionel Young Band

SAT  Oct 22, 9pm  Cafe Boogaloo (Hermosa Beach, CA)

Lionel Young Band

Oct 23-29,  Legendary Blues Cruise (SD, CA)

WED  Nov 2, 7pm Dazzle (9th&Lincoln, Denver) RESERVE SEATS!

Kailin Yong Peace Project

Nov 9-12, 10pm  le Meridien Etoile, Lionel Hampton Jazz Club (Paris, France)

Lionel Young Band

Nov 13-17,  Blues su Seine Festival (Mante-la-Jolie, France)

Lionel Young Band

VISIT:

www.dexterpayne.com

www.dexofon.com

www.facebook.com/dexterpaynemusic

www.facebook.com/lionelyoungband

Dexter on the air

Dear friends,

Last minute, I know: In an hour or so Ill be on the air at KUVO, community jazz radio 89.3 FM in Denver. Celebrating their fund drive, KUVO is interviewing a few people from the local music community. Im honored to be included today, Friday, Sept 30 at 1pm!

Tonight a last minute call to play some New Orleans traditional clarinet for a dinner at Primrose Early Education in Thornton.

Saturday, I am honored to play for the CD release by Harry Tuft, founder of Denver Folklore Center, where I first bought a harmonica. A number of us who recorded on Harry's new CD will perform with him at Swallow Hill  Music. 8pm Sat. Mollie O'Brien, Rich Moore, Carla Sciaky, Ernie Martinez, Liz Masterson, Greg Garrison, Dexter Payne, David Metsch, Mag Hayden, and Grubstake.

Then next week I am off again with the Lionel Young Band, this time to King Biscuit Blues festival in Helena, AR and a weekend in Topeka, KS.

Returning home for Thurs, Oct 13 at Caffe Sole: Dexter Payne Quartet featuring Bill Kopper, Dave Willey, Raoul Rossiter.

Tune in your radio and keep community radio alive!

See you soon,
Dexter

Colorado Time

Dear friends,

Finally, faces I know ... friends I've missed! There are a lot of things to miss when you spend a season on the move ( the Lionel Young Band logged over 35000 miles this summer!) but the thing I missed most was my community here at home. No amount of enthusiastic new audiences, or even old friends from the past, can replace you!

Telluride Blues was a blast - once we got past the cold rain turning to snow as we played, and it finished with a packed evening show at the Telluride Elks Lodge (yes, indoors!) Please come out and catch the remaining front range shows with this great band, before we head to King Biscuit Fest (10/6), the Blues Cruise (10/23-29) and Paris (11/9-16)! Yep, that's in France, not TN! Also, I have the chance to reunite with a few of my CO musical friends. Come on, don't miss it!

FRI Sept 23,  9pm  Little Bear (downtown Evergreen)
      Lionel Young Band

SAT Sept 24,  8pm  Boulder Outlook (28th St service road N of Baseline)  

      Lionel Young Band

WED Sept 28,  10:30-11:30am  Boulder Library Canyon Theater (Canyon, E of 9th St)

      Morning Music Meditation

SAT  Oct 1, 8pm  Swallow Hill (71 East Yale, Denver)

        Harry Tuft CD Release, wi Rich Moore & Mollie O'Brien, Janet Feder and more.

Be sure to save "2nd Thur" Oct 13 for the Dexter Payne Quartet wi Bill Kopper, Dave Willey & Raoul Rossiter, playing Brazilian choro & more at Caffe Sole!

Happy harvest to all, here's playing for you!

Dexter

www.dexterpayne.com

www.dexofon.com

www.lionelyoung.net

Facebook anyone? 

www.facebook.com/dexterpaynemusic

Colorado time

Home again, for a week! And does it ever feel good. The Lionel Young Band has been turning heads, tapping feet and jumpin for joy ALL OVER THE PLACE and we are back out on the road next week, heraded for NYC and Woodstock, NY! (see www.lionelyoung.net) 

No rest though... come out and join the fun:

Aug

10, 10:30-11:30am Boulder Library, Canyon Theater

 Morning Music Meditation with Kialin, Jesse, Jenna, James, Michael

11, 6:45-8:45pm Niwot Park   Rhythm/Rails Niwot CO

Lionel Young Band

11, asap til 10:30pm   Caffe Sole

Brazilian with Bill Kopper, Dave Willey, Raoul Rossiter & Guilha Camargo.

12, 5:40-6:40pm Bohemian Nights Ft Collins CO

Lionel Young Band

13, 1:45-2:45pm So Pearl St, Den.   Old S Pearl Bl&Br Den CO

Lionel Young Band

14, 12-3pm Vail Jazz

Lionel Young Band

19 Bethany Blues Fest Lewes DE

24 Terra Blues NYC NY

26 Bluestock Woodstock NY

27 tba

31 Keys Montgomery AL

Sept

2 Hot Sprgs Hot Sprgs AR

3 Bluewater Blues Sidney NE

Tell your friends... and we will see you there!

Soon,

Dexter

Tour begins

Yes, the real tour begins! I am listing below the summer with Lionel Young Band, as it currently stands. We have had some great experiences already - more to come! Please tell your sister in Gahana and your cousin in Woodstock to come out and see us - it is a really great band!

They should double check the date with the venue before driving a long way and please make sure they come up and introduce themselves! Just Sat we drove into KC, MO thinking we were playing a whole night there, only to find we were an opening act! Oh, and you can tell my friends, too!

Meanwhile, my dates here at home become very precious moments, to play with my dear friends here in Colorado and to connect with you, the people I love to share my music with!

Short notice, I know... hope to see you there!

THUR   June 9   Caffe Sole 7:30-10:30
Dexter Payne Trio with Dave Willey and Bill Kopper

Lionel Young Band – 2011 (subject to change)

May                                        

14        Toads                          Den           CO                             

18        Lannies                       Den           CO                             

20        Fling Barn                  Hillsboro   OH                       

21        Charlie W Bl Fest      Charleston WV    

27-28 Chautauqua Hills         Sedan         KS      

30        Creek Fest                  Bldr           CO                                                                 

June    

3          Eureka Spgs Blues       E Spgs         AR      

4          Knuckleheads               KC              MO    

10        Gladstone Bls Fest       Gladstone    MO 

12           ?                                Rapid City  SD       

14        BB's                             St Louis      MO    

15        River City Bls              Pekin           IL       

16        Blues in the Park          Decatur       IL           

17        MO Bl & BBQ Fest     Sedalia        MO    

18        WCHandy Bls Fest      Henderson  KY          

19        Columb Bls Alliance   Gahanna     OH        

25        Bear Cr Bls Fest          Slater          MO    

30        Rock Bottom               Denver        CO                             

                                                                                   

July    

2         Miss Val Blues fest       Davenport     IA       

3         Chillicothe                    Chillicothe     IL       

8         Quebec Fest                  Quebec        Quebec

9-10   Mont Tremblant         Tremblant     Quebec                                               

11        N Atlantic Bl Fest       Rockland      ME     

14        Kingston Mines           Chicago         IL                               

15        Nothin But Blues         Bloomington IL                               

16        Uncle Bo's                   Topeka           KS      

             

22        Filmore                        Ft Wayne       IN       

23        Pittsburg Bls Fest        Pittsburg        PA      

24        Beaches Intl Fest         Toronto          ON                  

25        Tully’s                         Sharon            PA      

26        Savanna’s                    Westlake        OH     

28        Slippery Noodle          Indnpls           IN       

29        All Play                       DesMoines     IA       

30        Prairie Dog Fest          Pr du Chien    WI      

                                                                                   

Aug    

1         Alamo                           Springfield      IL 
2         BB's                              St Louis           MO                                                        

3          ?                                   Mankato          MN    

4          ?                                   Fargo               ND     

5          Great Woods Fest        Winnipeg         Man    

6          Minneapolis                Minneapolis     MN    

11        Rhythm/Rails              Niwot               CO                             

12        Bohemian Nights        Ft Collins         CO                             

13        Old S Pearl Bl&Br      Den                  CO                             

17        OKellys                       Baxter              IA                               

19        Bethany blues fest       Lewes              DE
20        JM Randall's               Wmsburg         VA                             

24        Terra Blues                  NYC                NY      

26        Bluestock                    Woodstock       NY      

27        tba                              

30        ?                                 Augusta            GA                             

31        Keyes Bar&Grill        Montgomery     AL                              

                                                                                   

Sept    

2        Spa City Bls Soc         Hot Sprgs        AR                  

3         Blue Water Bls Fest    Sidney             NE      

9         Holy Cow                   Cañon City      CO     

17       Blues&Br                   Telluride           CO     

23       Little bear                   Evergreen        CO

                                   

Oct                             

6         King Biscuit               Helena            AR                              

7         Ground Zero               Clarksdale      MS     

9         Hueys                         Memphis         TN      

20       Biscuits &Bl              SF                    CA      

21       Lozano's                     Stockton          CA                              

22        Café Boogaloo          Hermosa B      CA                              

23-29   Blues Cruise                                     

Nov    

8-12      Hotel Meridien          Paris                Fr                               

13         Emmeus Assoc          Paris                Fr                               

14         Duo                            Paris                Fr                               

15         Music Sch Concert    Paris                Fr                               

16         Duo                            Paris                Fr                               

17         Duo                            Paris                Fr                               

26         WY Blues Soc           Casper            WY                 

More May fun!

Hi friends,

Lionel Young Band just back from Charleston, WV - what a haul! Worst mishap was a flat tire. This band is musically a lot of fun - we made a good showing there (see comments: www.lionelyoung.net). Saw a lot of the Ohio River, some really green trees, and a bunch of blues fans. Oh yeah, there were a few vintage cars in our hotel parking lot, too. (Pictures at www.facebook.com/lionelyoungband) Did I mention that our CD is now available?

Meanwhile, tonight's show features, not only the fabulous Gora Gora, but also Mark Harris' innovative school improvisation project. Don't miss Monday's opportunity to see the great Lionel Young Band at Boulder Creek Fest and please reserve early for Kailin Yong Peace Project at Dazzle - bound to sell out early with the debut of a really exciting new recording!

Here is a vote for gentle rains, no more flooding or tornadoes (or drought!)
See you soon,
Dexter

TUE  May 24, 7pm  Red Rocks (Golden)

Gora Gora Orkestar -- free show starting 6pm!

NOTE: Rain alternative:

Merrill Middle School

1551 South Monroe Street
Denver, CO 80210-3015
(720) 424-0600

WED  May 25, 10:30-11:30am  Boulder Library Canyon Theater

Music Meditation wi Jesse Manno, Michael Stanwood, James Hoskins, Jenna Woods, Kailin Yong, Dexter Payne

FRI/SAT  May 27,28 Chautauqua Blues Fest (Sedan, KS)
Lionel Young Band

MON  May 30, 1pm Boulder Creek Fest (Bandshell, Boulder City Park)

Lionel Young Band 

TUE  May 31, 7pm  Dazzle (9th&Lincoln, Den 303.839.5100)

Limited seating- reserve now!

Kailin Yong Peace Project EP Release Party

OK, May showers

In spite of our confusion about what season it really is, spring marches forward, trees bloom, seeds sprout (if we remember to plant!) and summer approaches.  Fast!

The students/members of  Naropa Afropop Ensemble rose to the occasion and gave spirited performances at the Laughing Goat and at the Music Dept concert. Two of them are in bands with record contracts! More importantly, I was impressed with their social maturity: the way they self-organized and looked out for each other - a great crew. Gives me hope for the new generation! As in the past, I am certain that I learned more than anyone in the class, musically and otherwise and for that I am grateful.

The Kailin Yong Peace Project album is really taking shape at Immersive Studio. Breathtaking, expansive, descriptions are hard to find. The Peace Project will play at Dazzle in Denver at 7pm, Tues, May 31, and with luck we will have a limited EP release for the show. Make your reservations now!

Additionally, plans for the Lionel Young Band 2011 tour are shaping up. We will be playing in NYC, Chicago & San Francisco in the coming months, and quite a few places in between. The schedule, ever shifting, is viewable at www.lionelyoung.net and I will send it to this list as well. Trying to get my national list back together, as I have never transferred it to the new list-server.

Meanwhile, I discovered that my monthly date 7:30 Thur, May 12 at Caffe Sole lacked a band - lots of busy schedules. SO, at the last minute a fun night is coming together with Jake Schepps, a banjo player I have admired for some time, ever since I heard a lovely tone poem he wrote at a workshop in Banff, Alberta for banjo and trumpet. Turns out he has caught the choro virus... and he lives only a block away! Plus a great mandolin player, Dave Goldenberg & sambista Carl Dixon. OK, you have all the chatter now. Here is the important stuff:

WED  May 11, 10:30-11:30am  Boulder Library Canyon Theater

Music Meditation wi Jesse Manno, Michael Stanwood, Jenna Woods, Dexter Payne

THUR  May 12, 7:30-10:30pm  Caffe Sole

Dexter Payne Quartet with Jake Schepps, Dave Goldenberg, Carl Dixon

SAT   May 14, 10:40-11:40pm Toad Tavern (5302 S. Federal, Littleton 303.795.6877)
 Lionel Young Band (Spring Blues Fest $12)

WED  May 18, 8pm Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret

(16th & Arapaho, Den, 303.293.0075)

Lionel Young Band ($10)

FRI  May 20, Fling Barn  Hillsboro, OH

Lionel Young Band

SAT MAY 21,  Charlie West Fest Charleston, WV

Lionel Young Band

WED  May 25, 10:30-11:30am  Boulder Library Canyon Theater

Music Meditation wi Jesse Manno, Michael Stanwood, James Hoskins, Jenna Woods, Dexter Payne

FRI/SAT  May 27,28 Chautauqua Blues Fest (Sedan, KS)
Lionel Young Band

TUE  May 31, 7pm  Dazzle (9th&Lincoln, Den 303.839.5100)

Limited seating- reserve now!

Kailin Yong Peace Project EP Release Party

See you there!!!

Dexter

 

Zoom into spring!

Todays Music Meditation was a lovely one. I for one was still feeling the inspiration of David Spangler's talk for the Wild Foundation last night! But there is no time to linger - the music is coming at us thick and fast, sweet and strong. Just think: if bullets were music to our ears... we would all be dancing. Where the heck did that come from? Im talking about music - not bullets!

WED April 13,   Boulder Library
10:30-11:30am  Music Meditation (2nd & 4th Wed)

WED Apr 13,   Dazzle (9th&Lincoln)
9-12  Piano Conversation with Jeff Jenkins

THUR  Apr 14,  Caffe Sole (TableMesa Ctr, Bldr)
7:30-10:30pm Dexter Payne Quartet with Bill Kopper, Dave Willey, Raoul Rossiter

Let the notes fly!

See you there,
Dexter

Variety - the spice of life

Dear blog reader,

No lack of variety here. All I really lack is an extra 4 hours per day - that would be adequate, I think! Meanwhile... the daffodils:

THUR  Apr 7,  Pearl St Mall (start @ Bway & Pearl, Bldr)
7:30pm    Bateria Alegria Samba Parade to the Laughing Goat

FRI  Apr 8,  Laughing Goat (Pearl&17th, Bldr)
8-8:30pm   Naropa Afropop Ensemble

SAT  Apr 9,   Caffe Sole (TableMesa Ctr, behind Kings, Bldr)
8-11pm  Kailin Yong, Jesse Manno, Dexter Payne

SUN  Apr 10, Longmont Council for the Arts House Concert
4-5pm  Veelah Hot Balkan wi Meg York, Dave Willey, James Hoskins, Brian Mullins, Jesse Manno

So plant your peas and onions, than come out and enjoy the music!

See you,
Dexter

Fun

All kinds! Start with Steam Punk night at the Merc on FRI, featuring Gora Gora Orkestar. Then double up on SAT with Playback Theater West and, pretty much simultaneously, ZMA & the Lovolution featuring the Alchemy Project with Jim Beckwith, Kim Stone & Kevin Smith.

Confused? Meanwhile, in Denver Johnny Long is at the Merc and Michelle Shocked is at Swallow Hill. All on a SAT night. You really cannot go wrong - fun is everywhere!

So here is where I will be:

FRI  Apr 1 Mercury Cafe (22nd&California, Den)
Doors 8pm     Gora Gora Orkestar Brass Band 10:45pm 
$10 with Steampunk attire, $12 without!  There is a whole lot going on - should be fun

SAT  Apr 2 Boulder Creek Market Plaza (1 Boulder Plaza)
6-7pm   Alchemy Project - live spontaneous music and painting collaboration.

SAT  Apr 2  Dairy Center for the Arts (Bldr)
8pm  Playback Theater West
My last chance to "play back" this season! I really love what happens with this group and I am so honored to get to play at their house a very few times each season. Cant wait!

So, lets go!

See you there,
Dexter

Sprung

Dear friends,

March has pretty well blown us away this year. Everyone, in every way. All the more reason to sing and dance. A lovely equinox, great full moon. Lives ending and beginning. Amazing accounts of community in the face of devastation. We will only get through together - Celebrate the awesome energy of spring! 

Winter recording projects are maturing. Gora Gora will be in the studio soon. Kailin Yong Peace Project is entering into the second phase of recording and I am very excited about the results! Lionel Young Band album is for sale and George Inai Curious Ghost part 1 is about to hit CD Baby. 

Meanwhile out in the air, Naropa Afropop Ensemble will soon give it's first public performance. Stay tuned for a rare appearance of Veelah Hot Balkan Ensemble. Gora Gora will perform in Denver soon. Plans are well underway for coast-to-coast tours of the Lionel Young Band. Join in offering up some vibrations that are not of an explosive nature. We definitely have variety, no problem there! 

Hope to see you soon,

Dexter

WED  March 23,10:30-11:30am  

Boulder Library Canyon Thtr (9th&Canyon, Bldr)

Morning Music Meditation (Jesse Manno, Michael Stanwood, Jenna Woods, Dexter Payne, Kailin Yong, James Hoskins) Dancing in your head... or the cosmos.

WED  March 23, 8-midnight 

Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret (16th&Arapahoe, Den)

Lionel Young Band (blues) Do the hip shake baby.

SAT  March 26,  5:30-8:30pm   

Mezzanine, Boulderado Hotel (14th&Spruce, Bldr)

Dexter Payne Trio (Brazilian wi Bill Kopper, Raoul Rossiter) Samba, forro!

Stirring up the cauldron

Groundhogs, warm sun, it's all very seductive. Drought, war, peace, government, gas - very scary. There, that covers it right? Fortunately we have lots to discuss on the musical front. Ah, I feel better already!

The reality of Lionel Young Band winning the IBC is just beginning to sink in. Plans for summer are starting to unfold, website is up (www.lionelyoung.net) though still a work in progress (sim, é eu!) and the game is on to see how I can juggle all the musical projects I love so dearly! Added to the mix - I have just been informed I am to be inducted! Into Missoula, MT Jazz Hall of Fame, that is, meaning I will likely be taking a quick trip up there in late April. Suddenly I need room on the wall for plaques... who'd 'a' thunk it? Meanwhile, there is musical fun to be had:

THUR   March 3, Pearl St Mall, Bldr (B'way to the Laughing Goat)
7:30pm  Bateria Alegria samba parade (yes, right now - and Ginga plays at the Goat after)

SAT   March 5,   Mercury Cafe (22nd&Calif, Den)
8pm   Bateria Alegria & Ginga for Brazilian Carnaval Show (wi free samba lesson)

MON  March 7, Oriental Theater (44th&Tennison, Den)
7pm   BlueStar Connection Benefit wi Trampled Under Foot & Lionel Young Band blues!

TUE  March 8,   Pumphouse Brewery (540 Main, Lngmt)
7-9pm  Gora Gora Orkestar brass band - Balkan and more!

THUR  March 10, Caffe Sole (TableMesa, Bldr)
7:30pm   Dexter Payne Quartet with Bill Kopper, Dave Willey, Raoul Rossiter

SUN  March 13, Longmont Arts Council House Concert (Tel. 303-678-7869)
4-5pm   Dexter Payne Quintet wi Bill Kopper, Dave Willey, Raoul Rossiter, Jeff Jenkins Brazil!

There now, had enough fun yet? Well let's get started, then! See you all over town!

Soon,
Dexter

Wild Week(s)

Dear friends,

I have been remiss, compartmentalized, frazzled... and things are changing fast. So I am sending out a revised schedule for the weekend. You already had it all planned out? Aha!

Well... me too! Anyway, put some gas in your american car and drive around with me. There is music to be enjoyed! Big thanks to those who made it to Caffe Sole in Table Mesa last night! It was a really nice night for the Dexter Payne Quartet (with Bill Kopper, Dave Willey, Raoul Rossiter.) We played our Brazilian choro, samba, forro in a really congenial and human setting for a lively audience. Watch for us again on the same date next month, March 10.

Last minute announcements:
I have a date tomorrow afternoon with the Kailin Peace project in Brush. Yes, your heard me, Kailin is back in town! Also an extra set with the entire Lionel Young Band, the Victory Set, on Sunday at 6pm.

The whole schedule:

SAT  Feb 12,  3:30-4:30pm International Music Fest (Morgan County Fairground, Brush)
Kailin Yong Peace Project (See www.internationalmusicfest.org)

SAT  Feb 12,  8-10pm Boulder Outlook (800 28th St, Bldr)
Lionel Young Quartet

SUN Feb 13,  6-7pm Boulder Outlook (800 28th St, Bldr)
Lionel Young Band Victory Set - the whole band!

And that's the rest of the story!

Dexter

International Blues Challenge

Just a short note to let everyone know that we, the Lionel Young Band, won the final round tonight of the IBC.

Eight bands performed for 20 minutes each in the amazing old Orpheum Theater at the end of Beale St. in Memphis, TN.  Great bands played, the amazing harmonica player/designer Lee Oscar hung out back stage, and blues fans on 3 gilded levels cheered. Great crew and stage... and when they announced the winners... we were number 1!

Lionel Young, Kim Stone, Jay Forrest, Andre Mali, Ricardo Peña, Dexter Payne - Lionel selected and we all created a sound that worked, a team that likes playing together, and apparently the fun comes across, because we have had great response from Colorado to here in Memphis. It is very rewarding and a little humbling to be selected by judges, who knows who they are or what their taste.

So here we sit, late at night, laughing and a little giddy... and really tired... and very happy!

One week to Memphis!

Excitement is building and we are reaching the final round before heading out. This Sunday will be the big benefit for the three bands going to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge. A duo, Big Jim Adams and John Stilwagen, a youth band, Taylor Marvin, and the Lionel Young Band.

We have been in rehearsal and in the studio, and we are finishing up a new CD to take with us to Memphis. It is a great crew to work with, all very talented and with great spirit. We have had the help and encouragement (and great ears)  Mark Derryberry, recording and mix engineer, one of the best in town.

We will leave a week from Saturday to play a show in St. Louis on the way to Memphis. Meanwhile, this Sunday is a big fundraiser at the Boulder Outlook Hotel - Blues & Greens, to help all three bands get to Memphis for the IBC. The day will kick off at 3pm and the benefit will go til about 7pm... we will have the last set. The regular blues jam follows at 7:30.
Come on down and give us a good send off!

SUN  3-7pm  Jan 23,   Boulder Outlook Hotel (800 28th St, Bldr)
Colo Blues Soc IBC Send-off for 3 great bands!
Big Jim Adams & John Stilwagen,
Taylor Marvin
Lionel Young Band

Dont miss this one - we definitely wont be the same when we return!

See you on Sunday afternoon!

Dexter

A new start!

Dear friends,

The new year has begun full steam ahead, at least it feels that way. Thank you so much for your support in 2010, especially the last two nights with the Quartet! I still get a warm feeling thinking about it, like having your family all around you. That is what holidays are about, huh?

There are two events I want you to know about this week:

FRI Jan 7, 7:30pm Art Opening  (Basement, 13th & Walnut, Bldr)
ZMA & the Alchemy Project

Neil Hirschowitz is an artist with a big vision. One facet is an idea we have been experimenting with. The short description is: I play, he paints. It is improvisatory in a way that is even a little scary to me, we never really know what is going to happen. This time out I have the great Kim Stone as co-conspirator. Come early, we might evaporate instantaneously - not to be missed! Enter the basement off of 13th, south of Conner ONeils.

SUN Jan 9, 6-7pm Outlook Hotel (28th St Frontage Rd near Baseline)
Lionel Young Band

This is a quick set before the blues jam... the 6 piece band which will represent the Colo Blues Soc. in Memphis, Feb 3-5, to competing in the International Blues Challenge. We are raising funds for the trip, so come down and throw a dollar in the pot. (Lionel Young, Kim Stone, Jay Forrest, Ricardo Pena, Andre Mali, Dexter Payne)

Come out and see your friends. Make new ones. Live music... nothing better!

See you there,
Dexter