Nicholas Payton Deftly Brings Armstrong to Life

It’s hard to believe that Nicholas Payton is only 27 years old. Listening to him on Saturday night at the Jazz Club at the Center in the Orange County Performing Arts Center, it was easy to suspect that he has a painting of himself in an attic somewhere, growing old while he remains perpetually young. How else to explain his remarkable ease with the New Orleans musical styles of the ‘20s and ‘30s and, even more specifically, with the playing of Louis Armstrong?

It was appropriate that Payton was leading a seven-piece ensemble in a program billed as “The Nicholas Payton Armstrong Centennial Celebration.” In addition to his extraordinary mastery of the Armstrong trumpet style, he actually bears considerable physical resemblance to the great jazz innovator.

The program chosen by Payton for the celebration touched some of Armstrong’s most inspired outings: “Potato Head Blues,” “West End Blues,” “Struttin’ With Some Barbecue,” “Muskrat Ramble” and the Armstrong theme “When It’s Sleepy Time Down South.” And Payton’s soloing consistently referred to many of the groundbreaking Armstrong solos associated with the original versions.

Equally important, Payton’s playing emphasized his understanding of both the imaginative flair and the less apparent, but no less significant, tender qualities of Satchmo’s art. And, to his credit, he revealed those qualities without sacrificing his own creativity. What Payton played was accurately defined as a celebration--a musical tribute to Armstrong’s uniqueness, as well as his power to influence the artistry and individuality of succeeding generations of musicians.

The ensemble included first-rate musical associates. Trombonist Freddie Lonzo was a spectacular force, ripping and roaring through his solos with Kid Ory-like force; Swedish clarinetist Orange Kellin played superbly within the traditional style; pianist David Boeddinghaus contributed several spirited, stride-style solos; the team of guitarist-banjoist Steve Blaylock, drummer Adonis Rose and bassist Walter Payton (Nicholas’ father) laid down a solid stream of New Orleans rhythm, and singer Topsi Chapman added appealing vocals on a group of Armstrong-associated standards.