As the co-founder of Fear No Music alongside percussionist Joel Bluestone, pianist Jeff Payne has performed with the group across the United States including concerts in New York City, California, Colorado, and throughout the Pacific Northwest.  During his tenure as Artistic Director, he was responsible for the presentation of twenty World Premiere or US Premiere performances of works by Pacific Northwest composers. In 1997 he founded the Young Composers Workshop to expand upon the mission of Fear No Music, and continues as its Director, overseeing the development of young creative minds around the country.

Heralded as “a pianist of chameleon abilities,” (The Boston Globe) Payne’s illustrious performance career includes appearances on WGBH National Public Radio in Boston, KING radio in Seattle, All Classical Portland, and OPB, at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Norton Gallery in Palm Beach, at the Seattle Spring Festival, the Ernest Bloch Festival, the Oregon Bach Festival, and as a soloist with the Vancouver Symphony. His phenomenally executed complete performance of Messiaen’s epic Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant Jesus received recognition by The Oregonian as one of the “Ten Best Concerts of 2008.”

Payne graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music from Boston University and holds a Master of Music from the New England Conservatory. His teaching career includes posts at Willamette University, Portland State University and currently at Reed College.