The Backward Step is an instrumental jazz tune by New Orleans born trumpeter Nicholas Payton. It first appeared on the 2008 album Into the Blue, produced by Bob Belden, and is often described as pop jazz within the Black American Music tradition. The track showcases Payton’s trumpet with bluesy, improvisational phrasing and a distinctive groove. A live rendition appears on BAM Live at Bohemian Caverns, released on February 26, 2013, and that release includes a vocal version. The Bandcamp listing notes digital availability with high-quality downloads and highlights Payton’s deep ties to New Orleans jazz.
