Jack Payne (1899-1969) was a British dance music bandleader. While serving in the Royal Flying Corps he played the piano in amateur dance bands. Payne served in the Royal Air Force during World War I, and led dance bands for the troops. In the 1920s he played in a six-piece band which became the house band at the London Hotel Cecil in 1925. This ensemble regularly performed on the BBC in the latter half of the decade. In 1928, Payne became the BBC Director of Dance Music, a post he held until leaving in 1932 to return to playing hotel venues. In the 1930s he spent a little less time touring, so he could concentrate his efforts on running a theatrical agency. Payne composed three successful waltzes - Blue Pacific Moonlight, Underneath the Spanish Stars and Pagan Serenade. These were later published in the 1930s.
Payne did some jazz recording, including working with Garland Wilson. He toured South Africa and France in the 1930s. In 1941 he returned to the post of Director of Dance Music at the BBC, remaining there until 1946. Following this he became a disc jockey. During his final years, Payne ran a hotel in Tonbridge, Kent which was not a successful financial venture for him. This outstanding record was made in 1931. Vocal by Billy-Scott Coomber.
