On October 31, 2024, Nicholas Payton's Nouveau Standards project graced Smoke Jazz & Supper Club in New York City. This performance featured Payton on trumpet, Kevin Hays on piano and Fender Rhodes, Vicente Archer on bass, and Bill Stewart on drums. The quartet delved into a repertoire that honored jazz traditions while introducing original compositions, reflecting Payton's commitment to evolving the genre. (tickets.smokejazz.com)
In 2024, Payton was appointed Chair of the Brass Department at Berklee College of Music, underscoring his influence in the jazz community. (en.wikipedia.org) This engagement at Smoke was part of a series of performances with Nouveau Standards, including a notable show at Jazz St. Louis in January 2025. (my.jazzstl.org)
