Christopher Payne is a multi-faceted drummer and percussionist, whose breadth ofmusicianship fuses ethnic hand percussion, classical batterie and drum set repertoire. Hisexpertise, versatility, and innovation enhances a multitude of musical genres thatcontribute to his active performing, recording and teaching career.

Christopher has toured extensively, performing at prestigious concert halls and festivals worldwide, including the Hollywood Bowl (2013), the Royal Opera House in Muscat, Oman, (2014, 2016) the Walt Disney Concert Hall (2007), the Vancouver Music Festival (2013), and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts Concert Hall (2013). Among the many artists, ensembles, and orchestras, Christopher has toured with the Grammy nominated band DeVotchka, performed with jazz luminaries Charlie Haden, Bob Sheppard, Joe LaBarbara, Larry Koonse, Derek Oles, and Slide Hampton, as well as, rock legend Mike Garson (David Bowie, Smashing Pumpkins), and Palestinian Pop star and 2013 Arab Idol winner, Mohammad Assaf. He was selected by Mike Garson, among others, to perform his Symphonic Jazz world premier entitled “Symphonic Suite for Healing.” Last year, Christopher performed with the Jon Armstrong Jazz Orchestra at the Angel City Jazz Festival in Los Angeles debuting a seven-song suite entitled “Burnt Hibiscus.” Christopher is a member of the internationally recognized orchestra, MESTO, specializing in Middle Eastern Classical music, and the Indian/Jazz fusion group Mahadev. He is an active free-lance musician performing and recording drums and percussion for independent films, commercials, jazz ensembles, various bands, and singer-songwriters.

He earned his MFA degree in drum set/world percussion from the California Institute of the Arts and a B.M. in classical percussion and drum set from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Christopher resides in Los Angeles and is an adjunct faculty member at Pierce College, Loyola Marymount, and Los Angeles City College.