Music this week!

Dear friends,

Slow time of year for me, as far as being out there playing in your face. But nature abhors a vacuum, they say, and I believe it! I have been busy to the max, and on top of everything else, my dear Dad is experiencing some hard times. Many of you know the vibrant man that is my father, Bob Payne. If you are so inclined, please send him the very best you've got, in the way of prayers, energy, light, all that good stuff. I am sure that he will be fine very soon, but right now he has run aground, and we are gathered 'round to float the boat.

Meanwhile, there is music everywhere this week, so come on out and enjoy it all!

WED  Dec 12, 12-1pm, Boulder Library Canyon Theater (E of 9th & Canyon, Bldr)
Mid-Day Music Meditation with Michael, Jesse, Jenna, Bret, Tom
12-12-12 Don't just do something - sit there!

THUR Dec 13, 7:30-10:30pm,  Caffe Solé (Table Mesa Shopping Ctr, Bldr)
Dexter Payne Quartet with Dave Willey, Bill Kopper, Raoul Rossiter
Brazil Time!

FRI  Dec 14, 8-11:30pm Oskar Blues LONGMONT (1555 S Hover Rd, Longmont)
Rare chance to see the band in the Front Range!


I will see you there!
Dexter

Split time

Dear friends,

Last minute, I know. Better late than never, right?

Do yourself a favor and stop what you are doing right now! Don't just do something... sit there!
Take just an hour in Boulder today,  and come to the Library for Mid-Day Music Meditation.

Wed, 12-1pm    Nov 14, Boulder Main Library (Canyon & 9th, Boulder) 
Mid-Day Music Meditation 
with James Hoskins, Bret Bowen, Jenna Woods, Tom Weiser, Jesse Manno, Dexter Payne

In it's third year since the beginning with Kailin Yong, the Music Meditation is now a monthly event, the second Wednesday of each month. That's now! Popular with musicians, it is now a rotating cast of players, dedicated to creating a new contemplative soundtrack for your interior journey each Meditation.

Once that is over, you can return to your computer (dont let the boss see) and finish reading this email!

That's when you'll learn that I had two great times last week with Veelah and special guest, Azra, joined on Friday by Julie Lancaster (director of Planina). And a great Thursday night at Caffe Sole with Bill Kopper, Dave Willey, Raoul Rossiter - the Dexter Payne Quartet.

But that's not all! I raced off to Laughlin, NV to join the Lionel Young Band for our first official engagement for Piedmont Talent, our hot "new" (to us) booking agency. the Nevada desert is beautiful and we turned in a good series of shows in rotation with some other great bands! Here's to many more!

Just when I thought I had some free time, I got a call from my young pal, Little Joe McLerran. Seems I will be heading off to Tulsa for the CD release of "Facebook Blues". Anybody need a ride to Tulsa?
I am playing with Joe & Robbie Mac, Fri Nov 16, at Pat's Place in Sapulpa, OK.
Then again Sat Nov 17, plus an all-star cast,  Uptown Lounge, Tulsa, OK!

Take me back to Tulsa! You might as well come, there's no better time to be had anywhere!

See you there!

Dexter

And now, for something completely different!

Hi friends,

Election crazies, we got 'em! Not talking about people, I'm talking about the crazy, urgent, manic frenzy. I have some pretty strong opinions, so don't get me started. We can talk about those in person (or not!) I will say that I do not believe that NOT voting is a solution at this time (& place) and I do not believe that our political duty to ourselves and each other ends on Tuesday! There!

The good news is we actually have a few opportunities to talk together about that, or anything else! So come out and hear some great music of the Balkan variety (this could be your big chance to hear Veelah in Denver this year - twice!) and we have the honor of playing with AZRA, a great singer in the Roma tradition from Bosnia. When I hear us with her I get a feeling I can't describe like, "Ahh! That's what this music is about!"

And if that's not your cup of tea, or you are a Boulderite who doesn't want to go to Denver, or you really love Brazilian music (and who doesn't, really?) the Dexter Payne Quartet is on our monthly outing - but more than that: We are recording live! So come out and be part of recorded history...

Where ever you go, there we are!
See you there,
Dexter

MON  Nov 5,  7-10pm  Dazzle (9th&Lincoln, Den)
Veelah with special guest singer AZRA
(Meg York, Dave Willey, Brian Mullins, James Hoskins, Jesse Manno, Dexter Payne)

THURS  Nov 8,   7:30-10:30pm  Caffe Sole (Table Mesa Ctr, S. Broadway, Bldr)
Dexter Payne Quartet with Dave Willey, Bill Kopper, Raoul Rossiter
LIVE RECORDING

FRI  Nov 9,   7-10pm  Swallow Hill (E. Yale at S. Broadway, Den)

Veelah with special guest singer AZRA 

(Meg York, Dave Willey, Brian Mullins, James Hoskins, Jesse Manno, Dexter Payne)

Blues in CO!

Hi friends,

Snow! I guess we will have seasons, after all...

Well, find your hat and gloves, and come out for some blues! The band that we have toured all over is playing a few dates at home: Longmont, Lyons, and Denver, to be specific. Sure , you know this band, but believe me - it's even better now than you remember!

Hope to see you out and about!

Dexter


FRI  Oct 26   5-7:30pm Oskar Blues Liquids & Solids (1555 S. Hover, Longmont)
Lionel Young/Dexter Payne Duo

SAT  Oct 27  8-11:30pm   Oskar Blues (303 Main St, Lyons)
Lionel Young Band

WED  Oct 31 8:30-11pm  Mercury Cafe Halloween (2199 California St, Denver)
Lionel Young Band

Coming soon... Veelah Balkan Band in Denver. And Dexter Payne Quartet recording live in Boulder!

Last minute

Hi friends!

I was especially pleased to get a last minute call from Kirsten Wilson for a very special event: Playback Theater West tonight, Saturday the 20th in an ongoing series of community events. Don't miss this!

One Action-One Boulder/Niwot's Arrow is delighted to announce that Motus Theater and Playback Theatre Westare collaborating with the Boulder Public Library and the Lafayette Cultural Arts Commission to present:

TALKING PAST TALKING PRESENT

Share your experience of inclusion and exclusion in Boulder.

How do race, class, sexual orientation, gender, religion, age, nationality or ability status affect your experience of living in Boulder?

-- a FREE improvisational theater performance that's built around the audience's experience of  inclusion and exclusion in our community.  What makes people feel welcome or unwelcome in our community? We have a unique opportunity to share our experience of living in Boulder (positive and negative) and watch it played back by a comicathartic and dramatic improv troupe with some of the best actors in Boulder!  Listen and learn from members of your community about differing experiences here in our home and discuss how we can make Boulder and Lafayette more inclusive for all.
Where: Canyon Theater, Main Library 1001 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder
When: Saturday Oct 20th: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Cost: FREE 

I have been honored to be an accompanying musician in rotation with James Hoskins, Anthony Salvo,  and Brian Mullins to collaborate with these great souls in Playback Theater West. Tonight's event is part of an ongoing sharing that gives us all a chance to heal and grow. Come share and/or witness with us.
See http://www.one-action.org/

Stay tuned for next week: Lionel Young Band!

All the best,
Dexter

Colorado October

Hi friends,

Before I get to upcoming shows, it is time to catch up a little bit. The Lionel Young Band summer tour season finally ended Sept 4, after a 6000 mile swing thru MT, Alberta, ND, WI DE, D.C., and MD! It was also the end of a successful 2 year affiliation with Road Dawg Touring. We are very excited about our new booking agreement with Steve Hecht and Piedmont Talent, one of the top blues agencies in the US and Europe! A whole new ballgame - wish us luck there! In anticipation of more touring this winter, I have requested a "sabbatical" leave-of-absence from my teaching post at Naropa University, not without some nostalgia for the inspiring work with students over the last four years. Onward!

A side note - my dear friend and colleague, Michael Stanwood called from the highway a couple of weeks ago to share news of his excitement at the Winfield Festival  where he became the World Autoharp Champion! Congratulations, Michael!

I just returned from a very moving week in New York, where I visited for a "Celebration of 80 years" for my Brazilian elder brother, Gaudencio Thiago de Mello. Thiago, who has a short time left (according to doctors), was in fine form and it was an amazing celebration indeed! With musical tributes from many "alumnae" of Thiago's band Amazon, including Claudio Roditi, Dom Salvador, Haroldo Mauro who came all the way from Rio de Janeiro, my new friend Richard Lesnik from CA, Leco Reis, Richard Kimball, Helio Schiavo, a moving solo piece by Paul Winter, Tiberio Nascimento... who have I missed?

In addition we celebrated Thiago's newest release, possibly our last recording together, Flying Home, which features three clarinetists - my (late) hero Paulo Moura, the great Paulo Sergio Santos, and myself! It was a very rich and poignant week. I witnessed great performances by Anat Cohen and Joyce while in NY as well as sitting in with Dom Salvador on his solo gig, not to mention an insightful and inspiring afternoon with great Armenian clarinetist, Souren Baronian and a wonderful visit with clarinetist/composer Andy Biskin. And maybe most important of all, some quiet time with Thiago and his family. This is a tough one for me!

OK, now you know what I've been up to. My apology for failure to notify of the Lionel Young Band show friday. It was fun, and there will be more to come... we are home for a bit.

Coming up this week:

WED   Oct 10 12-1pm, at Boulder Library Canyon Theater (9th&Canyon, Bldr)
Midday Music Meditation
(An hour of quiet musical contemplation, improvised by a wonderful rotating group of friends, currently every 2nd Wed.)

THUR  Oct 11 7:30-10:30pm, Caffe Sole (Table Mesa Center, So. Broadway&TableMesaDr, Bldr)
Dexter Payne Quartet with Raoul Rossiter, Bill Kopper and Dave Willey
(An evening of Brazilian traditional music, primarily choro but including samba, forro, bossa nova. Come out and dance - the second Thursday of every month!)

I am so happy to be spending this time at home. I look forward to seeing all of my friends, playing for - and with you!

See you there,
Dexter

September in Boulder

Travels have been great - mindblowing at times! But being home is so wonderful! Never a dull moment... First the news: Lionel Young Band has signed with a major blues agency, Piedmont Talent. Steve Hecht an integral mover in the Blues Foundation and a respected name in the business, booking in the US and Europe for the last twenty some years. Let's see what happens!

Played last night with Lionel at the Ft Collins "Ober-fest", a private blues birthday bash, jamming with some of the young up-and-coming on the rocky mtn blues scene, and about to finish off the weekend with (another) set at Boulder Greek Fest with James Hoskins, Jesse Manno, Julie Lancaster, Paul Brown, Zahara. The Greek version of Sherefe. Such fun! There is more fun on the way so grab your hat and come on over!

WED  Sept 12, 12-1pm  Boulder Library Canyon Theater
Mid-day Music Meditation

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

SUN  Sept 16  8-12pm  Lannies Clock Tower Cabaret (16th St Mall, Den)
Lionel Young Band

Morning music meditation is resuming a little later, so please join us for the Second Wednesday every month for quiet, contemplative improv with Kailin, Jesse, James, Michael, Bret, Tom, Jenna. Always a treat!

This will be the first "re-union" of my full quartet since spring when we went in the studio - a project we hope to complete now that I am home for a minute. Please join us for Brazilian fun and dance  - always the Second Thursday.

And Sunday, we have the rare treat to present the Lionel Young band in Denver! We have weathered the trials of the road - it is truly a fine group, so please come check out this hometown band made good at a sweet venue!

Then I am off to NYC to celebrate "80 years of life" with my Brazilian big brother, Thiago de Mello, who just turned 79. It will be a good party, with lots of the musicians we have recorded and performed with over the last 14 years. See you in Boulder, Denver, or NY?

Soon!
Dexter

Human cannonball

Well, not literally, but almost as entertaining! And the trajectory of this next round looks kinda like a cannon ball.

It sure has been great being home for a short bit! So good that I neglected to keep you all informed of a couple of great shows. We had a wonderful time playing the Ft Collins Bohemian Nights - New West Festival, following the young blues phenomenon Another Kind of Magic and warming up the stage for Kyle Hollingsworth and his all star band including Dave Watts and a ton of local heroes. Saw the Gypsy Kings too!

And last night we (yes, the Lionel Young Band) played the Jimmy Thackery Party, a "private" woodsey that blues guitarist Thackery has made a tradition, outside Steamboat Springs. Soon enough we will be home again as the festival season draws to a close and working hard on another album, it's really time for that.

Meanwhile, our upcoming tour - please feel free to tell ALL your friends to visit with us and hear this good music, just keeps getting better. Or maybe you want to jump in the car and join us on the road!

See you there,
Dexter

TUES  Aug 21  8pm-12   The Q Roadhouse (Jackson Hole WY)

WED   Aug 22  6-9pm     Stone Tower Peggy Steffes Fundraiser (Victor, MT)

THUR Aug 23  7:30-10:30pm Daly Jazz House Concert (Missoula, MT)
* RSVP / info: dalyjazz@gmail.com

SAT   Aug 25 4:30pm    Labatts Blues Fest (Edmonton,Alberta)

TUES Aug 28  8pm-12  Landing Bar (Minot, ND)

WED  Aug 29  9pm-1    Intermission (Wausau, WI)

FRI    Aug 31  8:30-11:30pm Bethany Blues (Lewes, DE)

SAT  Sept 1    3:50-4:10pm  Washington DC Blues Fest (Rock Cr Park)
                      8:30pm-12 Blues Fest After Party (Amer Legion, Silver Spring, MD)

SUN  Sept 2    5:30-7pm   Balt Blues Soc (Rosedale Amer Legion, Baltimore, MD)

    

Brazil lives on in CO

This past week or so was really wonderful. Beginning and ending with all the Brazil Fest activities, interwoven with musical fun with so many good friends: Tito Malaga, Kailin Yong, Johnny Long, Fara Tolno, Kim Stone, Mike Marlier, Eddie Turner, John Magne and more. Time for a couple of good hot days to catch your breath, and now...

I am home for Second Thursday! Yes I will be there at Caffe Sole this Thursday, Aug 9, with Bill Kopper, Raoul Rossiter, subbing for Dave is the wonderful Victor Mestas Pérez on keys, direct from Venezuela. Try out your new dance steps before you forget the workshops you took last week.

Then off to WY for a small festival date (Rock Springs, if you are headed that way!) and back Sunday at 5pm for Bohemian Nights in Ft. Collins.

Next weekend sees me back on the road with the Lionel Young Band , so please come say hi Thursday - enjoy the depth of the Brazilian music current running through Boulder. Lets dance!

THUR  Aug 9  7:30pm Caffe Sole (Table Mesa Ctr, Bldr)
Dexter Payne Quartet with Bill Kopper, Raoul Rossiter, Victor Pérez

SAT  Aug 11   6pm Pickin Palace  (Rock Springs,WY)
Lionel Young Band

SUN  Aug 12  4:25pm  Bohemian Nights (Library Park Stage, Ft Collins, CO)
Lionel Young Band

See you there!

Dexter

Double-time in Boulder

I am so glad to be home for a bit - really the first time all summer I have unpacked my bag. Pleased as well to be so busy. This weekend is too busy in fact!

It is time for the first-ever Brazil Fest (www.coloradobrazilfest.org) with workshops and shows starting today. Check out schedules for all the fun Thur-Sat at the website.  Please support this effort - lots of fun workshops and three great nights of entertainment and dancing to chose from pick at least one event and join in the fun.

I will be attending/playing as much as possible all three nights!

Thur @ Laughing Goat
Fri @ Shine
Sat @ Boulder Theater

It is gonna be tricky! you see, I also have a full weekend with the Lionel Young Band (www.lionelyoung.net). As you know,  playing at home has been a rare event for us this summer as we truck all over the continent. So here is that schedule:

FRI Aug 3 8-10:30pm  Boulder Outlook Hotel
Johnny Long wi Lionel Young Band

SAT Aug 4 8:30-10pm  Carbon Valley Music Fest (www.facebook.com/CarbonValleyMusicFestival)
Lionel Young Band is the last set of a great day of music.

Clone me!

No shortage of musical fun this week, and lots of tough choices for those with eclectic tastes including: Ron Miles Trio (feat Andy Biskin) in Bldr and Denver, Gora Gora Orkestar in Denver.

And the fun does not let up next week with Dexter Payne Quartet at Caffe Sole next Thurs, Aug 9!

Dont be shy. Come out and say HI!

Dexter
www.dexterpayne.com
www.dexofon.com

Quick trip: MT and beyond

Better late than never! This is pretty last minute but I want to get it out there anyway. A handful of Lionel Young Band dates on the road and then I am home for a short while… But first, my beloved Montana, however briefly, and then one of the best blues festivals. Spread the word!

Dexter

FRI  July 20  9:30pm   Silver Dollar (Butte, MT)  
SAT  July 21  5-8pm   Dave Smith Campaign Fundraiser (Hamilton , MT) 
SUN July 22   2:30pm  Winthrop Blues Fest (Winthrop, WA)
WED July 25  7:30pm  Pearson Lakes Art Center (Okoboji, IA) 

Home sweet Home!

It is great to be back home - true thing no matter where you live. In spite of weather, threat of fire danger to friends, violence in our society, I am so glad to be home! So, let's celebrate together!

Come out and see the Lionel Young Band, tried and true road warriors, and don't delay cause we are leaving again soon!

FRI   June 29  (late set)  Herman's Hideaway for Hazel Miller's Birthday Bash
                     (1578 S. Broadway, Den) Download 50% discount  tickets at www.facebook.com/lionelyoungband

SAT  June 30  3-7pm, Derby Grill
                      (110 Bunyan Ave, Berthoud)

SUN  July 1  5-8pm,  City Park Jazz
                       (City Park between 17th & 23rd)

Then we are gone - for another 14 days, this time to:

July
4 Portland, OR  Waterfront Blues Fest (www.waterfrontbluesfest.com)
5 Redding, CA  Market Fest (www.vivadowntownredding.org/about.html)
6 Reno, NV       Comm Row (www.commrow.com)
7 San Francisco, CA   Biscuits and Blues (www.biscuitsandblues.com)
8 Half Moon Bay, CA  Half Moon Bay Brewing Co (www.hmbbrewingco.com)
9 Tarzana, CA  Maui Sugar Mill Saloon
   (18389 Ventura Blvd, Encino,Tarzana, CA 91356  818- 344-0034)
10 Sta Barbara, CA  Butler Event Center (3744 State St) Sta Barbara Blues Soc
13 Ridgway, CO  Sherbino Theater
14 Aztec, NM  Animas River Blues Fest (www.animasriverblues.com)

 

Tell all your friends to come say HI! 

See you soon,
Dexter                

Small change

Wish I was home tonight, playing with Bill, Raoul and Dave at Caffe Sole! Gi will be there singing with them and I hope you will get out and enjoy the sound of Brasil! I will not be there, still out on tour with Lionel Young Band. We have had some real highlights out here and met lots of great people.

Writing you from the Shenandoah Valley where we came for an unusual gig at the Plan B Cafe in Broadway, VA. I honestly was not too sure if we would even stay for the 2 days we were booked here - and we ALWAYS play what we've booked. I mean, there have been a few gigs along the way that we certainly felt like pulling out of half-way thru a set, even before a note was played! But Plan B turned out to be gem. Not the biggest dance, but a very special connection with a community of fine people, and a real godsend as well.

Plans change sometimes and this one was out of our hands - a little car trouble forced us to cancel today's engagement in Philadelphia, and we are very lucky indeed to have encountered this in as friendly a place as Broadway. Special thanks to George and Lisa Neall for their hospitality, safe haven, and friendship, not to mention their great food and clientele at Plan B.

Here is the list for dates coming up - send your friends if you cannot make it - remember, they must say hi before they leave. And be sure to note the (relatively few) Denver/Boulder gigs.

Love,
Dexter

12  Broadway, TN  Plan B Community Cafe

13     "

14 CANCELLED Phila, PA  Twisted Tai l CANCELLED

15 Somers Pt, NJ   Somers Pt Beach Concert Series

16 Houston, DE   June Jam

18 Sharon, PA   Tully’s

19 Galena, OH  Mudflats

20 Angola, IN  Skip's

21 Indianapolis, IN   Slippery Noodle

22 Peoria, IL   Contemp Art Center

22 Pekin, IL   Goodfellas

23 Bettendorf, IA   Muddy Waters

25 Boulder, CO private

29 Hermans Hideaway

30 Derby Grill quartet

JULY

1 Denver, CO City Park Jazz

4 Portland, OR   Safeway Waterfront Blues

5 Redding, CA   MarketFest

6 Reno, NV  Cargo in Comm Row

7 SF, CA   Bicuits & Blues

8 Half Moon Bay, CA   HMB Brewing Co.

9 LA?

10 Sta Barbara,CA Butler Events Center

12 Phoenix, AZ   Compound Grill

13 Prescott, AZ   Bird Cage

14 Aztec, NM   Animas R Blues Fest

18 Denver, CO Oakwood Homes Concert Series

20 Butte, MT   Silver Dollar

22 Winthrop, WA   Winthrop Blues Fest

25 Okoboji, IA   Pearson Lake Arts Ctr

27 Des Moines, IA   Gas Lamp

29 Vail, CO   Vail Jazz Series

AUG

3 Boulder, CO   Lionel Young Band with Johnny Long

4 Dacono, CO   Carbon Valley Festival

Spring (?) Tour

An exciting time of year, green is busting out all over. I have done the best gardening I will get in for awhile - mmmmm fresh greens!. And now the shift - one last Morning Music Meditation yesterday (it will continue twice a month - if people support it by merely showing up!) and now off on the road with Lionel Young Band, working up new material, hitting new places. A little 14 day run out to the NW and then home for a few before we head east.

I will miss Caffe Sole 2nd Thursday tonight with Bill Kopper, Dave Willey and Raoul Rossiter. Joining them in my stead is Gui, the wonderful sambista of Ginga. Please show them your love - I will return in a couple of months! Took a big plunge and dragged (quite willingly) those fine musicians in the studio on Tuesday to finally record the DP Quartet. Oh boy! Very exciting to begin the process.

Not quite sure how Ill do it - should I try Kickstarter, the new crowd funding rage? Tell me what you think, Dear Reader! (My 11 yr old neighbor just funded her first album to the tune of $20,000!) I think I can do this for a little less...

Dates do change around here on a daily basis, but not a whole lot.  I used to love the quote in the New Yorker's jazz listing: "Musicians and club owners lead complicated lives with last minute changes. Always call before you go out to see someone perform." Not too practical, but it's true! Here are the dates. Tell EVERYONE in Eugene, and especially Portland and Seattle, to come out and SAY HI!

AND we are sneaking through the Bitterroot Valley - I am very excited to introduce this hot band to my old pals in Hamilton and beyond!

See you soon!
Dexter

MAY

11 Fri Kennewick, WA Untapped Blues Fest

12 Sat Eugene, OR Sasquatch Brewfest

13 Sun Tacoma, WA  Spar

14  Mon Portland, OR Duff’s

17 Th  Seattle, WA 88 Keys

18 Fri Pt Townsend, WA Upstage 

20 Sun Grand Coulee Sunbanks R&B Fest

21 Mon  Hamilton, MT   Bitterroot Brewery

22 Tue SLC, UT   Sun & Moon 

27 Sedan, KS   Chautauqua Hills Blues Fest

28 Springfield, IL   Alamo

30 Orange City, IA   Orange City Arts 

JUNE

1 Wellsville, NY   Wellsville Arts Ctr

2 Rochester, NY   Sticky Lips

3 Toronto, ON, CAN  Waterfront Blues Fest

4 Rochester, NY   Smokin Joe's

6 NY, NY   Terra Blues

8 Maryville, TN   Brackins

10 Chatanooga, TN   Friends of the Fest

14 Phila, PA  Twisted Tail

15 Somers Pt, NJ   Somers Pt Beach Concert Series

16 Houston, DE   June Jam

18 Sharon, PA   Tully’s

19 Galena, OH Mudflats

20 Angola, IN

21 Indianapolis, IN   Slippery Noodle

22 Peoria, IL   Contemp Art Center

22 Pekin, IL   Goodfellas

23 Bettendorf, IA   Muddy Waters

25 Boulder, CO private

It's been great the last couple of weeks in Boulder, with May-like weather and lots of good music, including a set Thur with Ginga and Rony Barack. Travel time is upon us so here are a whole bunch of dates to tell your friends about... all over the place! And if you tell someone to come listen, they better come introduce themselves and tell me who sent 'em!

What is it about Topeka Kansas? I always meet writers, poets, and just regular interesting folks who like music, and know something about it. Whatever it is, we always have a good time here.

The schedule below is  Lionel Young Band dates through July
(Of course you can keep up to date with us on www.lionelyoung.net)

But more immediately I will be in Missoula, MT for Jazzoula Apr 23-26, performing with various groups on Monday, Wed and Thurs. Hope to see a lot of dear friends there!

March

9 Omaha, NE Omaha Blues Soc
10 Ft Dodge, IA Lizard Cr Blues Soc
11 Chillicothe, IL River Beach Pub
12 Chicago, IL House of Blues

16 Marietta, OH River City Blues Fest
17 Baxter, IA Cadillac Jack’s

APR

7  Sat  Lafayette, CO Rocky Mtn Center for Musical Arts
21 Sat  Topeka, KS   Uncle Bo’s

MAY

11 Fri Kennewick, WA Untapped Blues Fest
12 Sat Eugene, OR Sasquatch Brewfest
13 Sun Tacoma, WA  Spar
14  Mon Portland, OR Duff’s
15 Tue Newport, OR  Uptown Pub

17 Th  Seattle, WA 88 Keys
18 Fri Pt Townsend, WA Upstage
19 Sat Walla Walla, WA

20 Sun Grand Coulee Sunbanks R&B Fest

22 Sun & Moon SLC, UT

27 Sedan, KS   Chautauqua Hills Blues Fest

28 Springfield, IL   Alamo

30 Orange City, IA   Orange City Arts 

JUNE

1 Wellsville, NY   Wellsville Arts Ctr

2 Rochester, NY   Sticky Lips

3 Toronto, ON, CAN  Waterfront Blues Fest

4 Rochester, NY   Smokin Joe's

6 NY, NY   Terra Blues

8 Maryville, TN   Brackins

10 Chatanooga, TN   Friends of the Fest

14 Phila, PA  Twisted Tail

15 Somers Pt, NJ   Somers Pt Beach Concert Series

16 Houston, DE   June Jam

18 Sharon, PA   Tully’s

20 Angola, IN

21 Indianapolis, IN   Slippery Noodle

22 Peoria, IL   Contemp Art Center

22 Pekin, IL   Goodfellas

23 Bettendorf, IA   Muddy Waters

JULY

3 Moscow, ID   John’s Alley

4 Portland, OR   Safeway Waterfront Blues

5 Redding, CA   MarketFest

6 Reno, NV  Cargo in Comm Row

7 SF, CA   Bicuits & Blues

8 Half Moon Bay, CA   HMB Brewing Co.

12 Phoenix, AZ   Compound Grill

13 Prescott, AZ   Bird Cage

14 Aztec, NM   Animas R Blues Fest

20 Butte, MT   Silver Dollar

22 Winthrop, WA   Winthrop Blues Fest

25 Okoboji, IA   Pearson Lake Arts Ctr

27 Des Moines, IA   Gas Lamp

See you all over!
Dexter
PS- CDs are at www.dexofon.com and Lionel Young Band will be available for download soon!

Lamb or Lion?

Which came first, the lamb or the lion? What - you ask - are you delirious?
Yes, I am! Intoxicated by spring.

Busy too! Yesterday I recorded a soundtrack for animation with Jayme Stone and Grant Gordy. Tomorrow I am in the studio with Harry Tuft, Rich Moore, Mollie OBrien, Eric Thorin making a video demo for Collin Bricker's Mighty Fine Audio in Denver.

Last minute notice: samba parade TODAY (Friday) with Bateria Alegria @ 7:30pm (B'way & Pearl St Mall, Bldr) and what is turning out to be a rare opportunity to see the Lionel Young Band in the Front Range: tomorrow (Saturday) at Rocky Mtn Center for Musical Arts, 7:30-9:30pm (200E Baseline Rd, Lafayette).

I will be busy for the next week or so, here is the schedule:

Please come out and say HI - I will be out of town a lot of the spring/summer season and I will miss my Colorado friends!

See you there!
Dexter

FRI  Apr 6,   7:30pm  (B'way & Pearl St Mall, Bldr)
Bateria Alegria samba parade

**SAT Apr 7:30-9:30pm  Rocky Mtn Center for Musical Arts (200E Baseline Rd, Lafayette)
Lionel Young Band (tickets: https://tickets.chautauqua.com/CMF_RMCMA/Online/default.asp)




**THUR Apr 12, 7:30-10:30pm   Caffe Sole (Baseline Ctr, Bldr)
Dexter Payne Quartet with Bill Kopper, Dave Willey, Raoul Rossiter


FRI  Apr 13, 8pm  Laughing Goat (16th & Pearl, Bldr)
Naropa Afropop Ensemble (dir Dexter Payne & Scott Mast)


MON  Apr 16, 7pm  Cheeseman Park House Concert
Payton MacDonald, Greg Harris, Sandra Wong, Dexter Payne 
(sold out - email jb829@live.com  for waiting list)

April Mornings & Evenings

Dear Friends,

I haven't much to report... and a lot! Spring is pushing everything forward with it's usual vigor - no time for sitting around. My plot in the community gardens is showing big signs of life and asking for ALL my time. And the fruit of tremendous windstorms last month is still very present. The fifty plus foot spruce tree in "my" backyard toppled in 100mph winds. A tree that broke off 20 feet up some fifty years ago and re grew like a candelabra - with 6 healthy stems! So it was really a small forest that came down, miraculously missing all buildings. With the help of family and neighbors, the tree is finding various homes, nothing left at this point but the sappy, burly, candelabra stumps... and a very smashed fence. Time for breaking boundaries?

The first Lionel Young Band tour of the season was a success and will resume in May, this time in Oregon and Washington - new territory! Check the schedule at www.lionelyoung.net and pass the word to your NW friends! Meanwhile, the band will play in the Kaleidoscope Concert Series at RMCMA, Lafayette April 7 - see below!

At the bottom of this message you will find a calendar, all dates you will hear about as they approach, but most imminent is this Wed, March 28:
Morning Music Meditation at Boulder Library Canyon Theater, always a wonderful hour of contemplative music. We all leave feeling the better for it!

I am including an invite  from James Baily, exceptional cellist and producer of a very special house concert series in Denver. After meeting Payton in NY James called, inviting me to be part of a concert with much-more-than-percussionist Payton Macdonald, plus Sandra Wong & Greg Harris. I am sure this will be a great evening, so consider replying to the message below if you are interested.  It will be great to play in Denver!
The concert will be MON, April 16, and I am told it is already half sold out, so make plans now...

See you soon,
Dexter

 James Bailey jb829@live.com

HOUSE CONCERT SPECIAL EDITION!!! MONDAY, APRIL 16TH - FROM NYC, PERCUSSIONIST/TABLA VIRTUOSO PAYTON MACDONALD!!

Hello everyone!!    We are very fortunate to have one of the most interesting musicians that I know visiting Denver in April!    PAYTON MACDONALD is a truly gifted marimba/tabla artist and composer.    Please check out his website www.paytonmadonald.com  and see what I mean.   In the site you will be able to hear a number of his compositions and his performance on several instruments.    He will be in Denver for concerts and master classes over the weekend and has agreed to do a house concert on MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 16TH AT 7:00PM.    Payton is an associate professor at William Paterson University in percussion, improvisation, and Hindustani music.   He is a founding member of  ALARM WILL SOUND, the cutting edge musical ensemble that energized the contemporary musical landscape; has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, SO Percussion, and Super Marimba.   He is a disciple of the table master Pandit Sarda Sahai, and has recorded with ATMA, Nonesuch, Canteloupe, and Equilibrium Studios.   AND, he is an endurance athlete, having participated in numerous triathlons and marathon events.    He will be performing original works for tabla, marimba - some of which include looping effects and improvisation.    BUT THAT IS NOT ALL!!    He will be joined by three of Colorado's most talented multi-instrumentalist/improviser/composers:    GREG HARRIS, vibes and percussion (www.vibequintet.blogspot.com);   SANDRA WONG, violin (www.sandrawongmusic.com);  and DEXTER PAYNE, reeds (www.dexterpayne.com).    THIS IS A GROUP OF ARTISTS NOT TO BE MISSED!!!      As for all of the previous house concerts, the process is the same:    The first 50 people TO CONTACT ME BY EMAIL ARE IN!!    YES, we will have fabulous desserts served up by master chef Cristina Brayner.    Yes, wine will be served.     Cost of the concert, dessert, and wine is $20 - cash at the door.    A steal!!!!    The site will be 19 floors overlooking Cheesman Park -  Please join me for a unique musical experience that is not likely to ever be repeated!!!!      Jim

• WED   March 28, 10:30-11:30am, Boulder Library Canyon Theater (9th&Canyon, Bldr)

Morning Music Meditation with Kailin Yong, Bret Bowen, Michael Stanwood 

• FRI   April 6, 7:30pm  Pearl ST Mall @ B'way

Bateria Alegria (Boulder Samba School)

• SAT   April 7, 7:30pm  Rocky Mtn Center for Musical Arts (200 E. Baseline Rd., Lafayette, CO 80026)

Lionel Young Band     (tickets- http://comusic.org/concerts-events/kaleidoscope-concerts/)

• WED   April 11, 10:30-11:30am, Boulder Library Canyon Theater (9th&Canyon, Bldr)

Morning Music Meditation

• THUR   April 12, 7:30-10:30pm  Caffe Sole (TableMesa Ctr, Bldr)

Dexter Payne Quartet featuring Bill Kopper, Dave Willey, Raoul Rossiter

• FRI   April 13, 8pm  Laughing Goat (17th&Pearl, Bldr)

Naropa Afropop Ensemble

• MON April 16, 7pm Cheesman Park House Concert (Denver)

Payton Macdonald with Greg Harris, Sandra Wong, Dexter Payne (RSVP jb829@live.com)

March

All of a sudden, March is here! Kind of ready for winter to loose it's grip, but clearly no one asked me. Solution: play in snow! (No, not music. Don't be silly!)

Recently returned from a truly grand reunion in MT of the Big Sky Mudflaps, with old friends and compatriots flying in from around the country. Happily, Steve Powell, the particular honoree was in fine shape and great spirit. A real gathering of a tribe and I am so lucky to have made it there!

I am sad to relay news of the death of Sam Bivens, trumpet, composer, arranger and bandleader of Denver Jazz Orchestra. I have played in Sam's band on and off since the early 90s. A really good experience for me - he will be missed.

On a warmer topic, and indoors... please join me in enjoying Playback Theater West and the Dexter Payne Quartet in the coming week! After that I am off on the first Lionel Young Band forray of the season.

See you there!
Dexter
www.dexterpayne.com
www.dexofon.com
www.lionelyoung.net

SAT  March 3, 8pm   Dairy Center (Walnut&26th, Bldr)
Playback Theater West

THUR  March 8, 7:30pm   Caffe Sole
Dexter Payne Quartet wi Bill Kopper, Dave Willey, Raoul Rossiter

Lionel Young Band in March
9 Omaha Blues Soc/Shamrock Bar
10 Lizard Cr Blues Soc/Best Western, Ft Dodge, IA
11 River Beach Pub Chillicothe, IL
12 House of Blues, Chicago, IL
16 River City Bl Fest, Marietta, OH
17 Cadillac Jack's,  Baxter, IA

St Valentine

I am not really up on where he came from, but tomorrow is his day. I will be playing with a fresh collection of folks, playing bossa nova and other Brazilian treats for a Valentine's Day salon: "the Brazilian Art of Love and Chocolate" presented by "Cafe de la Culture". Previous salons with themes like Rumi, Leonardo DaVinci,  Jane Austen,  have been popular. Combining fine food, music, Brazilian romantic poetry, and conversation in an intimate setting in a lovely North Boulder home, it is a good one for couples and singles too.  RSVP at:

 Cafe de la Culture: the Brazilian Art of Love and Chocolate

Then I am off for Carnaval weekend to tropical MT, celebrating the sweetness of life with my old pals, the Big Sky Mudflaps. We played together from Seattle to NY to LA, including appearances on NBC Today Show, Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion, Kool Jazz, as well as the Boulder Blue Note! Friends are gathering from all over the country for the party, should be a good one Sun night in Hamilton, MT.

I'll be back in CO on Fat Tues/Carnaval - see you locals then!

TUE   Feb 14,   6pm "the Brazilian Art of Love and Chocolate"
RSVP  for address at Cafe de la Culture: the Brazilian Art of Love and Chocolate

SUN   Feb 19,   Hamilton, MT Elks,   Big Sky Mudflaps Reunion


See you there!

Dexter

Hi everyone,

Winter in Colorado (today at least!) is looking pretty post card-ish. Good time for a walk in the snow... at the very least. My music season is picking up slow - last year's blistering pace will be hard to match though it appears that it will pick up momentum soon.

Right now I am enjoying teaching Afropop Ensemble (my fourth year as adjunct!) This time it's a team effort with percussionist Scott Mast. Scott, a Naropa grad, brings a lot to the effort and it is an even richer experience - that's saying a lot! Music is a community experience.

A few great gigs coming up I want you to know about: First, tomorrow, Sat, Feb 4th, is one of my precious dates with Playback Theater West at the Dairy. Don't miss it, especially if you haver never see Playback. A group of very talented and conscious actors spontaneously play back stories told by audience volunteers... and I play the sound track. Every time I laugh, I cry.

Wed, the 8th is the bi-monthly Morning Music Meditation at Boulder Library on Canyon. Its a rotating cast of great musicians playing contemplative sounds for your enjoyment. Always makes me feel wonderful - come try it for yourself.

Thursday is that favorite day of the month: Second Thursday at Caffe Sole with the Dexter Payne Quartet. It is a great joy for me to swim in the Brazilian tradition with Bill Kopper, Dave Willey and Raoul Rossiter. Starting my 7th year with Bill and Raoul, and Dave is a brilliant musical intuitive who might have actually been the first accordionist in Brazil.

Then on the weekend I am off to Rapid City for the first forray of the year with Lionel Young Band. Come on along, only a day's drive!

See you there!
Dexter

SAT  Feb 4, 8pm   Dairy Center fro the Arts (26th & Walnut, Bldr)
Playback Theater West


WED  Feb 8th, 10:30-11:30am Boulder Library Canyon Theater (9th&Canyon, Bldr)
Morning Music Meditation


THUR  Feb 9th,  7:30-10:30pm Caffe Sole (Table Mesa Ctr, Bldr)
Dexter Payne Quartet wi Bill Kopper, Dave Willey, Raoul Rossiter


SAT  Feb 11th, Rapid City, SD
Lionel Young Band

January fun

Finally beginning to feel like I'm home, recharging batteries in this dark time of year and reconnecting with people who are very special to me. I've had the chance to show a few of my homies the great band I toured with nearly all last year - very gratifying. Stay tuned for more dates with the Lionel Young Band.


Of course you can't have it all - and one thing I missed out there was playing Brazilian music. I do that primarily with three wonderful guys who also happen to be really talented. Come out and join us at Caffe Sole Thursday. Dance, listen, laugh, eat, drink... all kinds of fun!


Another favorite convocation is the Wednesday morning music meditation at Boulder Library twice a month. Don't just do something... sit there!


Community, a wonderful chance to share the greatest thing we have - each other. Enjoy old friends... make new ones! Dates below.


See you there!
Dexter

www.dexterpayne.com
www.dexofon.com



WED  Jan 11,  10:30-11:30am   Boulder Library Canyon Theater (Canyon, btw 9th&10th)
Morning music meditation

THUR  Jan 12,  7:30-10:30pm   Caffe Sole (Table Mesa Ctr, Bldr)
Dexter Payne Quartet featuring Bill Kopper, Dave WIlley, Raoul Rossiter

TUE   Jan 16,  12-1pm     Boulder Library Canyon Theater (Canyon, btw 9th&10th)
Dexter Payne Quartet featuring Bill Kopper, Dave WIlley, Raoul Rossiter

FRI  Jan 20,  2:30-4:30pm  Longmont Senior Center (Longmont)

Dexter Payne Quartet featuring Bill Kopper, Dave WIlley, Raoul Rossiter