
Jack Payne (22 August 1899 – 4 December 1969) was a bandleader who established his reputation during the British dance band era of the 1930s. Payne was born in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, the only son of a music publisher's warehouse manager. While serving in the Royal Flying Corps he played the piano in amateur dance bands. Towards the end of World War I, Payne led dance bands for the troops. He played in a ten-piece band which became the house band at London's Hotel Cecil in 1925. This ensemble regularly performed on the BBC in t... Continue reading