Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Clif is a vocalist, songwriter and educator who’s inimitable sound, passionate performances and dedication to his craft has sustained a remarkable career that spans the decades earning him critical acclaim, the respect of his peers and an extremely loyal following. Discovered by Bobby McFerrin in the fall of 1980, the Harlem-born vocalist’s 2016 debut solo album Welcome to My World earned him Grammy recognition. Welcome To My World features some of the greatest talents in the business including original En Vogue singer Maxine Jones and Midnight Star’s Reggie Calloway. The album was produced by Preston Glass (R&B Songwriter Hall of Famer) and Larry Batiste (Grammy orchestra music director). But it was the album’s chart-topping debut single “No Payne, No Gain”featuring the legendary Freda Payne (“Band of Gold”) that really put the album on the map, proving an international sensation, topping Great Britain’s soul charts, receiving the title of UK’s Soul Song of the Year, and receiving Grammy recognition in 2017 for Best R&B Song. Clif has performed with Freda Payne, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Norman Connors, Bobby McFerrin, Ellis Hall, Sheena Easton, American Idol judge & vocal coach Peggy Blu, Four Play drummer Harvey Mason, jazz fusionists Hiroshima and former Chicago vocalist Bill Champlin. Clif has opened for Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Narada Michael Walden and Dionne Warwick. Clif’s 2017-18 album credits include George Benson, Gerald Alston and Little Anthony. Clif’s strength as a teacher is rooted in his musical diversity, experience, patience, encouragement and passion for sharing what he has learned in performance and study to his students. Clif’s motto: “Sing not just to be heard, but to be heartfelt and believed. Sing to inspire!”  Clif teaches from his years of experience as a pro singer working alongside the world’s finest performers. While living and performing in Los Angeles, he studied voice with Seth Riggs (voice teacher to Michael Jackson and others) vocal coach assistant Chip Hand and Roger Burnley (vocal coach to James Torme). In the San Francisco Bay Area, Clif studied voice with Jane Sharpe.  As a college student, he studied music and performance with David Baker at Bloomington’s Indiana University.  clifpayne.org
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