Bill Payne co-founded, with Lowell George, the band Little Feat. He is considered by many other piano rock musicians, including Elton John, to be one of the finest American piano rock and blues music artists. In addition to his trademark barrelhouse blues piano, he is noted for his work on other keyboard instruments, particularly the Hammond B3 organ. Payne is also an accomplished songwriter whose credits include co-writing, with Lowell George, the Little Feat classic, “Oh, Atlanta.”

Payne has worked and recorded with other musicians including J. J. Cale, Doobie Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Bryan Adams, Pink Floyd, Bob Seger, Toto, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Helen Watson, Stevie Nicks, Shocking Edison, Robert Palmer and Stephen Bruton. He was a guest performer on Bonnie Raitt’s album Sweet Forgiveness in 1977, and wrote its track, “Takin’ My Time.”

Part of The Center’s 2014-2015 Winter Performing Arts Series and the BIG IDEA multidisciplinary project Under the Influence of Rock and Roll.

2014-2015 Performing Arts Series
Portland Cello Project, October 25, 2014
Blues musician Guy Davis, December 12, 2014
Bill Payne, co-founder of Little Feat, January 30, 2015
Brian Sanders’ JUNK – dance company, March 19, 2015
TorQ Percussion Quartet, April 18, 2015

Performing Arts Ticket Packages
• Performing Arts Series: $112.50 for all 5 performances
• Performing Arts Mini Series: $67.50 (January to March only: includes Bill Payne, JUNK, and TorQ)