Cecil Payne (December 14, 1922 – November 27, 2007)[1] was an American jazz baritone saxophonist born in Brooklyn, New York.

He played with other prominent jazz musicians, in particular Dizzy Gillespie and Randy Weston, in addition to his solo work as bandleader.

Payne received his first saxophone aged 13, asking his father for the instrument after hearing "Honeysuckle Rose" performed by Count Basie with Lester Young soloing.

Payne took lessons from a local alto sax player, Pete Brown, and studied at Boys High School, Bedford-Stuyvesant.

[1] With John Coltrane With Tadd Dameron With Dameronia With Kenny Dorham With Dizzy Gillespie With Illinois Jacquet With Randy Weston With others