PAYNE

The daughter of late educators Wendell O and Bessie J. Jordan of Hampton, Va., GINA J. PAYNE completed her undergraduate studies in Public School Music at Norfolk State University under the instruction of former Concert Master for the Virginia Symphony violinist Dr Peter Zaret Gina is also an alumnus of the Graduate College of Hampton University She holds a B A degree in Public School music and a M A degree in Community Agency Counseling Gina holds dual State of Virginia endorsements for Public School Counseling and Public School Music. She is the mother of one son Clarence Jordan Payne. Gina began playing violin in the Hampton Public Schools under the instruction of the late Margret "Ma" Davis along with Ms. Dianne Chapman. Gina has performed with various groups in the Tidewater area such as Forte Jazz Band, the Church Band, Ty Marquis Smith and Pure Chemistry bands of Hampton Roads. She has also performed as a solo artist at many venues in the Hampton Roads Area as well as Norfolk and Richmond Jazz Festivals. Gina has also performed at the Blues Alley in Washington DC She has an upcoming CD entitled High Strung,produced by Martin Blockson

Violin is my first instrument and favorite . I have a repertoire that spans from jazz to R&. Also, pop, rock, and gospel. I am 5'5 at 128. A very nice gift of music in a pretty package. I have a M.A. Degree and a studio where I teach private lessons to all ages I am a string coach for al local youth orchestra in the Hampton Roads area A performer with great style I am very professional and articulate I have taken a master class with jazz violinist Regina Carter I really admire her style Moreover, the music of Karen Briggs and Ken Ford.My classical training has allowed versatility with my playing. The violin has been my second voice and sometimes the one I prefer most. Looking forward to meeting you and providing that special sound to your event You are going to be quite pleased Thanks and see you soon!

IndieIncognito Q & A with Gina Payne

by: Tony Smith

T Welcome Gina Payne , solo artist and a member of the fabulous band TRIPLE THREAT

G. First of all, Tony, I'd like to thank you for inviting Triple Threat to do this interview. It 's always good t o be able to tell your story, and it's always good for others to hear your story. To not only inspire others, but also to inform about the journey of music, how people come about it. And to talk about what 's going on with yourself, and what 's currently going on with different groups. So I really appreciat e t his opportunity.

T. You're very welcome, and the mantra of Indie incognito is all Things Indie and you being an independent artist, I'm sure that touches you deeply So, just to give folks a little bit of insight on who you are Tell us about the baby you.

G. Well, let 's see, the baby me? The baby me was a person who enjoyed just having fun, and out of that fun came a love for music. When I was in kindergarten, my teacher noticed that I would sit down and just pick out tunes fot the marching band. I would pick out tunes so well that while the kids were marching around my teacher she said, Gina, you go over there and play it.

And so that was the start of some hing that I did not realize would become a lifetime achievement and a lifetime of entertainment. My job and my career.

So the baby me loved music at an early age I was 12 years old I went to middle school I saw that the orchestra was in need of a violins, and so I said let me go on in here, find out what 's going on with the orchestra. And I did. I found where I socially fit . It was Asians, mostly Caucasians and me. And I stayed in the middle school orchestra. By the time I got to high school, I was in four orchestras, driving my dad's big Electra 225, all over all over Hampton Roads, going to those practices. So from five years old to middle school to now getting my degree in music education, public school teacher, 30 years in with the middle school, I'll tell you pray for your girl. (lol).

T. And kudos to you, Gina Let me ask you this who would you say was your biggest advocate or influence once you realize that you might have something going on with this music thing?

G. Well, as I w as grow ing up, I didn't seek out , a musical mentor When I w as in college I met t his young lady from Port Smith, Virginia Her nam e is Karen Briggs, and Karen Briggs is a wonderful jazz violinist Played w ith Yanni. She's played on many tracks. She's just done so much I met Karen at Norfolk St at e Universit y, and I heard this girl playing this amazing grace on this violin, and at that point , I really w sn't playing too much by ear, because I'm read music. But then, you know , I said, let me venture out and try to do this. I started with a phrase, just like she did, and from a phrase, and went to another song and went to another song, until all of a sudden, now I've got like, 30 minutes wort h of music t hat I can play by ear. So now I w ill have to say Karen Briggs was my mentor.

She w as a m ent or for m e She encouraged me through her playing, and we w ere friends and we shared I sat right beside her in the orchestra at NSU, and we've had a chance to reconnect on Facebook, and she came here. So, yeah, I would say it 's Karen.

T. Here's, here's what's amazing about that I moved to LA in 2010 and I was working with Gail Johnson, and we had a rehearsal She was like, We gotta skip it because we have to go to the hospital. I was the second person that ever held Karen's baby at the hospital. I've worked major festivals with Jazz In Pink and Karen always stole the show.

T. Well, moving on Can you tell me about the genesis of Triple Threat?

G. I was on Facebook, and I play a lot , and I post what I play And actually, there's a man named Mark Grant , from Norfolk, VA. He and I were working together very closely, and I think he had a connection with Veronica McCreary. She w as putt ing a female band together Mark told Veronica about me.

From there, it was a wonderful connection. Veronica is an excellent professional. She's a wonder woman. I am so grateful for all that Mark Grant and Veronica very has done for me.

@ginapayne