Trumpeter Nicholas Payton emerged in the early 1990s as part of a new wave of young lions who picked up the trail left by the likes of Wynton Marsalis in the 1980s. The Crescent City native, who will be performing tonight and tomorrow at Blues Alley, is the son of respected bassist Walter Payton. Growing up, he studied and performed with some of the finest jazzers New Orleans had to offer. This upbringing has had a lasting effect on his music, leading him on a crusade against the notion that jazz is elitist or an acquired taste.

“I’m from New Orleans, and we have much more of a social aspect to the music and in particular, the dance aspect,” he told DCist.

This approach to music is readily apparent on Payton’s latest release, Into the Blue, whose material will be featured prominently at Blues Alley.

“The central thing about the record and live is that I want to create music that’s enjoyable to listen to and inviting,” Payton said, describing his approach. “I wanted to create music of simplicity, elegance, and grace.”

With that accessibility in mind, Payton centered his compositions around the rhythm section, wherein he would compose a groove for the bass, drums, and congas before adding any melody and harmony. Even in those aspects of the music, his goal was to eliminate pretension and create singable melodies built around a narrower range of notes.