Marc Payne is a rising jazz pianist in Nashville known for beautiful chords, lines, rhythms, and harmonies. Young in age but deep in feeling, he draws on influences from Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Sonny Clark, Thelonious Monk, Hank Jones, James P. Johnson, and others.

Born in Virginia and raised in north Nashville, Marc grew up listening to jazz records. He started on a light-up keyboard at 11, played gospel at Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church at 13, and developed a strong interest in jazz during junior year at Pearl-Cohn High School. He graduated from Nashville School for the Arts in 2017 and began his professional career.

His mentors include Jody Nardone, Imer Santiago, Lady Chapman, Chazen Brown, Nioshi Jackson, and Rob Butts. He has performed with Bobby Watson, Regi Wooten, Curtis Lundy, Roy Wooten, Duffy Jackson, and appeared on two of Shannon Callihan’s releases. Venues he’s played include the Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame, Jazz on the Cumberland, Historic 15th Avenue Baptist Church, and Rudy’s Jazz Room.

Energetic and versatile, Marc keeps performances lively with varied dynamics and inventive interludes.