AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2026 | 9 planning to redeem an in-home concert promised to them after supporting one of Anderson’s recording projects. “Marcus mentioned that he would be available after the Summer Horns tour and prior to his appearance at Spaghettini’s 38th Anniversary Celebration, the best date being June 24,” Payne said. “I believe it was no coincidence, and the stars were aligned.” It was also an example of the extraordinary level of support that some fans provide to this genre and its artists. Many fans purchase CDs, attend concerts and stream music. Others go much further, quietly investing their time, resources and hearts into helping artists and events succeed. When I asked Payne why she does it, her answer didn’t surprise me. “I love the joy the music brings to so many, as it does for me. And if I can make just one person’s day when perhaps they may be going through something, it fills my heart,” she said. “We need live music, especially in today’s climate, to bring us together in love. “As for the artists, they are like my little chicks. If I can help them in any way to break out of their shells, fly the nest on their own and see their dreams come true, that, too, fills my heart with such pride and joy.” James and her husband, Rick Phetteplace, who are also among the genre’s most devoted patrons, share a similar philosophy. “We like to help out artists playing all types of instruments on a variety of their musically related endeavors. Recognition is not important to us, but seeing artists succeed in this competitive musical environment is,” James said. father in 2017. Payne’s husband, Willie, with whom she built Payne Pest Management, passed away just a few months after the death of her mother in 2020. I was at James’ father’s funeral, but sadly, I was unable to attend Payne’s family services because they occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those experiences reinforced something I’ve witnessed repeatedly over the years: the friendships formed through this music often become some of the deepest and most enduring relationships in our lives. Their bond is hardly unique within the smooth jazz community. In fact, it’s one of the genre’s defining characteristics. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard people say they attended a concert alone and left with lifelong friends. Perhaps that’s what makes smooth jazz so different from many other musical genres. The lines between artists and audiences often blur. Fans become patrons. Patrons become friends. Friends become family. This gathering was a perfect illustration of those overlapping relationships. It was also one of those seemingly improbable chain of events that smooth jazz fans often describe as fate. Payne and James had each been approached independently about hosting the film screening, preferably in June. At the same time, they were Jeannette Estes (far left in pink dress), Patricia Flowers, Juli Bloxham, Marilyn Washington and Kelly Cole Art Good, Arthur Thompson, Kathy Payne and Marcus Anderson Carol Murphy and Kathy Payne Michael Paulo serenading party guests Dessert and appetizer spread “I love the And if I can may be going “We need us together “As help nest too, also instruments endeavors. seeing environment number concert Carol guests continued on page 10
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