8 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS Payne and James first met nearly two decades ago while attending a smooth jazz concert at Wilson Creek Winery with their husbands. “We hit it off right away, and traveled well together,” James said. “We became part of their family, which was great since we had none. We attended Payne family events and holiday celebrations, jazz cruises and concerts. Kathy’s mom, Joan’s, birthday was one day from mine, and we always celebrated together.” As I listened to Payne and James reminisce, I reflected on my own friendships with both women and the unexpected connections we’ve discovered over the years. Although Payne and I first met through smooth jazz, we later discovered that we had both grown up in the same Navy housing community in the Pacific Beach area of San Diego and attended the same schools, albeit at different times (she’s younger). We also realized that all three of us shared another connection beyond music: we were raised in military families—while my and Payne’s fathers served in the U.S. Navy, James’ father retired from the U.S. Army. Payne and James not only celebrated happy times together, but also supported each other through profound losses. James lost her There are certain questions I often get asked as publisher of Smooth Jazz News. Who’s my favorite artist? Which festivals should I attend? What cruise should I take? How do I discover new music? Outside the smooth jazz community, however, the question I hear most often is: What exactly is smooth jazz? After all these years, I’ve come to believe the answer has less to do with the music itself than with what it creates: community, friendship and a genuine willingness to show up for one another. I was reminded of this recently when I attended an intimate gathering hosted by longtime smooth jazz supporters Kathy Payne and Marilyn Lingenfelter James. The catered event was held at Payne’s lovely Temecula, California, home and included unplugged performances by saxophonists Marcus Anderson and Michael Paulo, plus drummer Arthur Thompson. There was also an advance screening of the new documentary “Smooth World,” featuring the legendary Dave Koz, multi-instrumentalist Vincent Ingala and others. As the evening unfolded, I became increasingly aware that the real story of the night was the network of friendships and shared experiences that had brought everyone together. The generosity, friendship and connection that make smooth jazz unique Marilyn Lingenfelter James and Kathy Payne introducing the evening Mia Torrales getting ready to serve tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches to guests Kathy Payne, Marilyn Lingenfelter James and her husband, Rick Phetteplace Arthur Thompson Photos: Pat Benter friendship make Kathy Payne, Marilyn Lingenfelter her husband, Rick
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