Jef began playing trumpet at the age of 12. He participated in concert band, marching band, and jazz band. Jef was a member of the Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps in 1989. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN in 1993. While in college, he was a member of the I.U. "Marching Hundred".
Jef has successfully taught band, orchestra, choir, piano and music theory in urban and suburban schools since 1994. He has served as a brass and marching instructor for several very competitive marching bands.
Jef has composed music for strings, choirs, and marching bands. He was inspired to write his own music during the summer of 2008. He composed 10 original songs. 3 of them appear on his debut CD "Smooth Jazz From the 317". This CD features a remix of "Quiet Time" by William "Roc" Woodson. He plans to record and release more of his original music with the Jef Payne Project on his next CD "Under Cover" in the fall of 2009.
Some of his musical influences are: Take 6, Anita Baker, Joe Sample, Chic Corea, The Rippingtons, Spyro Gyra, The Yellowjackets, Jill Scott, Chrisette Michele, David Benoit, Miles Davis, Pat Metheny, Steely Dan, Nelson Rengel, and others.
Biography
Now playing: "Feelin' Good"
