Spotlight on Music: Jim Payne

Date: Jul 22
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Where: Level 3 Atrium
Spotlight

Enjoy performances by local outstanding musicians as they fill The Rooms with music and songs from our province’s rich musical history.  Be prepared to sing along, tap your toes or just sit back and delight in the moment. 

July 22– Jim Payne

From Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland, Jim Payne is a leading performer and collector of Newfoundland traditional music. The multi-instrumentalist and singer, who has performed on six continents, is also one of the province's most prolific songwriters, known for creating musical mosaics that portray the lives of coastal people living on the edge of the Northwest Atlantic.

July 29 – Jing Xia

Jing Xia is an award-winning guzheng (Chinese zither) artist based in Newfoundland, Canada, renowned for her dynamic performances and genre-blending approach to music. Born and raised in Hunan, China, she began her musical journey at the age of six, mastering the guzheng and eventually earning degrees in Music Performance (B.A.), Arts Management (M.A.), and Ethnomusicology (Ph.D.).

With a deep foundation in traditional Chinese music, she pushes artistic boundaries by incorporating elements of world music, jazz, and experimental sounds, creating a unique sonic experience that transcends cultural and musical barriers. Jing’s performances are more than just concerts—they are immersive journeys that bridge the past and the present, the East and the West. Whether on stage as a soloist or collaborating with orchestras and ensembles, she brings an unparalleled depth of emotion and technical mastery to her music. Xia's recent accolades include winning the 2023 East Coast Music Award "Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year" and the 2023 MusicNL Award "Album of the Year" for her solo album, The Numinous Journey. She was named the 2023 MusicNL “Solo Artist of the Year” and 2022 MusicNL "Rising Star of the Year”.