Nicholas Payton - Recording "A Supreme Blue" Release

Nicholas Payton, widely regarded as one of the finest trumpet players of his generation, brings his album release celebration for *A Supreme Blue* to Blues Alley for a single night of boundary‑defying jazz. Payton’s clarion trumpet and genre‑melting solos have drawn comparisons to a master chef, blending bebop, swing, New Orleans second‑line, Mardi Gras Indian, instrumental soul, R&B, hip‑hop, and Afro‑Caribbean dialects into a sound entirely his own. A child prodigy who earned major‑label debut status before turning 21, Payton has since composed for solo, duo, trio, quartet, quintet, sextet, 21‑piece big band, and full orchestra—most notably his 2012 work *The Black American Symphony*. This performance marks the release of *A Supreme Blue*, an event that showcases his forward‑looking yet deeply rooted artistry.

When: Saturday, September 26, 2026, one night only.

Showtimes: Performance at 7:00 PM. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Seating is first come at the door; no reserved seats.

Tickets: $60 per person, plus a $7 fee. An additional $15 food/beverage minimum per person applies (not included in ticket price).

Lineup: Nicholas Payton, trumpet and leader. No other band members are listed.

Run time: Not specified.

Ages: Not specified.

Venue: Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20007.

Note: All sales are final; no refunds or transfers. Photography and recording of any kind during the performance are prohibited. Patrons are asked to keep conversation to a minimum during the show.