-Thoughts about music, art, the music business, etc: PAYTON'S BLOG

-Payton has launched a new educational and fundraising initiative that brings together his work in the arts and athletics: STRIVE-STRUGGLE-SUCCEED

American Record Guide's new review of Payton's new recording: "His performance is strong and he displays a large range of dynamics and impeccable rhythmic precision . . . The finale’s quickness points out MacDonald’s dexterity with some extremely fast runs that he absolutely nails."

-Payton recently joined forces with JACK Quartet at the University of Iowa dance program, working with choreographer Alan Sener. They'll then again join forces next April for a very exciting project at the Newman Center in Denver featuring Payton's arrangement of Gavin Bryars's Sinking of the Titanic, as well as his new piece for percussion, JACK, and the Young Voices of Colorado.

-Payton's new solo marimba recordings are out. The Solo Marimba Commissions, vol. 1 and Solo Marimba Improvisations, vol. 1, both on Equilibrium, both available everywhere online.

-Payton is working on a book about triathlon and endurance sports. Working title is Age Grouper, Swimming, Biking, and Running to a Life of Quiet Triumph. The book includes lots of interviews with age groupers, as well as professionals like Mark Allen, Joe Friel, and Dave Scott.