Labeled the "Buddy Rich or Billy Cobham of funk drumming" by JazzTimes magazine, Jim Payne has had a long career as a drummer, educator, producer, and collaborator with the best in jazz and funk. He has performed with the J. B. Horns, Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Ellis, Michael Brecker, Dave Liebman, the Radio City Music Hall Orchestra, and his own band Jim Payne Band, in addition to playing every major European and US jazz and blues festival, including the Montreaux Jazz Festival, the North Sea Jazz Festival, and the Paris Jazz Festival.

Payne is the author of several books, including Drumming with the Mambo King (written with the late Tito Puente). He has also released a number of albums and DVDs. He is a well-known clinician, having performed clinics at many colleges, drum stores, and the annual PASIC International Percussion Convention. He taught at Drummers Collective for 10 years, teaches privately at Drummers World in New York City, and also runs the Manhattan Jazz Workshop at the Church St. School of Music and Art. He is a regular contributor to Modern Drummer magazine.

Payne has produced records for Medeski Martin & Wood (It's A Jungle in Here and Friday Afternoon in The Universe), The J.B. Horns (Pee Wee, Fred & Maceo, and Funky Good Time), Mike Clark and Paul Jackson (The Funk Stops Here), and more.