#208: Nicholas Payton | Zen Gangster

Nomad talks to Grammy-winning jazz trumpeter Nicholas Payton from New Orleans about Black American Music (BAM), breaking genre boundaries, and preserving the cultural roots and history of the music that shaped generations. He shares his journey growing up in a musical household, creating his own record label, Paytone Records, and using his voice and platform to challenge conventional ideas about jazz, artistic expression, and the music industry. They also discuss the importance of an artist’s visual identity, the value of physical music in the streaming era, overcoming self-doubt, speaking out as an artist, and navigating the rise of AI in music. Payton reflects on the legacy of musical pioneers like Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis, the responsibility of carrying their influence forward, and why staying true to your art means embracing resistance and creating without boundaries. The opportunity usually comes before you feel ready. Don’t wait until the audition, session, tour, or referral lands in your inbox to start treating your career like a business. 👉 GET THE GIG: https://www.thecareermusician.com/get-the-gig Talent gets attention. Professionalism gets the callback. The ETHOS: The Career Musician’s Code bundle gives you the mindset, principles, and real-world career framework NOMAD has developed from decades inside the business. 👉 GET THE ETHOS BUNDLE: https://www.thecareermusician.com/ethos Stop guessing what your next move should be. Book a 1-on-1 coaching call with NOMAD and build a strategy around your career, your goals, and your next opportunity. 👉 https://www.thecareermusician.com/coaching If this episode gave you value, don’t just scroll away. YouTube: Subscribe • Like • Comment • ShareSpotify: Follow • Rate the show ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Apple Podcasts: Follow • Leave a 5-star rating + review And send this episode to one musician who needs to hear it. That small action helps us bring you more conversations, tools, guests, and resources built for musicians serious about going pro. PA Rehearsal Studios — 20% OFFUse code NOMADhttps://parehearsalstudios.com Courses + Career Toolshttps://www.thecareermusician.com/store Podcast + Latest Episodeshttps://www.thecareermusician.com/podcast JamPlay — Free TrialUse code NOMADhttps://jamplay.com/get-free-access?code=NOMAD YouTube: @TheCareerMusicianInstagram: @thecareermusicianFacebook: The Career MusicianTikTok: @thecareermusician GET THE GIG. KEEP THE GIG. GO BEYOND THE GIG.MAKE MUSIC YOUR BUSINESS. #TheCareerMusician #MusicianMindset #MusicCareer #MusicianBurnout #MusicBusiness 🚨 READY FOR THE NEXT LEVEL?📘 BUILD YOUR CAREER WITH ETHOS🎯 WANT PERSONAL CAREER GUIDANCE?🔥 HELP TCM REACH THE NEXT CAREER MUSICIAN🎸 TCM RESOURCES📲 FOLLOW THE CAREER MUSICIAN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices