Violinist Christopher Payne in a Benefit Home Concert

The Gathering Room is proud to present electric violinist, Christopher Payne, in a benefit concert on Saturday, December 15th at 7:00 pm. The concert will be held in a private home in Glastonbury, CT, but is open to the public and all proceeds will support Adama’s Dream – an elementary school in Adama Barrie’s home village of Kamathudugu, Sierra Leone. Suggested donations are $25 for adults and $10 for students and seniors along with a non-perishable food donation for the local food bank and reservations can be made by calling (860) 633-5057 or e-mailing pattisivocole@gmail.com and directions will be forwarded at that time.

Christopher Payne is a British born violinist and composer. Playing an instrument steeped in tradition, upon hearing the fusion band Shakti with its South Indian violin, Chris became interested in other ways of playing the violin. This led him to Indian violin lessons and then to a bachelor’s degree in violin and composition at Dartington College of Arts in England. There he also studied world music as well as shakuhachi flute with Yoshikazu Iwamoto who also taught him traditional Japanese shakuhachi music, with all its stylistic nuances, on the violin itself. Interest in improvisation led to post-graduate studies in Jazz at London’s Guildhall School of Music. Access to the London scene set the path to performing / studio recording in music of all kinds. This eclectic genre hopping has resulted in a unique style, often played on electric violin, augmented by electronics and looping. In 2003, Chris moved from London to Connecticut where he currently performs, teaches and composes music for film and television.

Christopher will entertain the audience in the comfortable candle lit living room of a private home where guests will also enjoy homemade refreshments. While sharing good food, good company, and great music, the audience will also be helping to complete Adama’s Dream. Thanks to the generosity of many a school is up and running in Adama Barrie’s home village of Kamathudugu, Sierra Leone. We are now raising the funds to sustain the school by paying their teachers and providing books and supplies. The school is serving approximately over 100 children in 4 classrooms. This is the first generation of children in the village who will be literate in its 175 year history.