8 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS I was recently reminiscing with JoAnn Armke, the original graphic designer of Smooth Jazz News, about our early days of publishing. I mentioned our conversation to Darcy Peters, our book reviewer, and we recalled how much we enjoyed working with JoAnn and admiring her layouts. A er each publication, Darcy and I would drive around San Diego in the evenings, delivering the rst print magazine devoted to smooth jazz. None of us expected it to still be going 26 years later. But that’s exactly what has happened. Our current graphic designer, Gina Mancini, who was a young mother of a newborn when she joined our team, just enrolled her now 18-year-old daughter into nursing school. And, our editor Brad Sondak recently attended his daughter’s college graduation, while his younger son is still attending college. While our sta was raising their families, I was nurturing my magazine, from its infancy to maturity—growing pains and all. We endured No. 1-rated radio stations abandoning the genre when a change in listener data collection methods, along with research consultants, caused awed results and reported a steep decline in listenership. Unfortunately, that killed this once popular radio format. And, soon a er, it a ected several jazz festivals. Some struggled and failed, while others still ourish. On a brighter note, we’ve watched talented musicians blossom from budding sidemen into successful solo performers with their own bands. We’ve witnessed the creation of genre-themed cruises, which now sail into perennial sellouts. And we enjoy the continual evolution of many venues curating art, wine, culinary adventures, travel and even chocolate into their events! All of this has occurred without traditional radio advertising. But throughout these ups and downs, Smooth Jazz News has remained a vital element in artists’ and event promoters’ marketing plans, and an essential resource for jazz fans. Without this synergy, Smooth Jazz News would not be possible. To thank our advertisers, in earlier years, we would host a brunch party in one of the banquet rooms at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, California. Eventually, we outgrew those spaces and moved the party to the lounge, where live music is performed. We also invited some artists and musicians, many of whom would sit in with the band. It erupted into a fun and festive jam session, and additional entertainment for other brunch patrons. ese days, it’s an annual tradition. We reserve a section of the lounge during a Sunday brunch in January for our advertisers and special musical guests so they can celebrate with us. e remainder of the tables are available to the public to purchase. It has become a must-attend event for our readers and other jazz fans. In the spirit of gratitude, we will, once again, revel in another year of Smooth Jazz News with our 26th Anniversary Brunch Party & Jam Session at Spaghettini on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. I’m also grateful to everyone who contributes to the creation and distribution of each issue of this magazine, including Craig Collier (operations and distribution manager), writers Ken Capobianco and Marcia Luttrell, our new graphic designer addition, Heather McKay, and all of the other editors, graphic designers and distributors. I’d like to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who advertised with us in 2025 (listed on page 9 in alphabetical order), and I’m inviting them to the party. Our favorite party band, DW3, will perform in the lounge, and some of the surprise guest artists (who we don’t announce in advance) will be sitting in with them. We’d love for you to join the fun, too. As of press time, tickets were available, but seating is limited, and it always sells out. So … cheers to 26 years! To purchase tickets to the Smooth Jazz News 26th Anniversary Brunch Party & Jam Session, scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, at Spaghettini, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, please visit www.spaghettini.com or call 562-596-2199. "While our staff was raising their families, I was nurturing my magazine, from its infancy to maturity—growing pains and all." Richard Elliot, Melanie Maxwell and Camella Elliot Artist, managers and advertisers toasting Scenes from theSmooth Jazz News 2025 Anniversary Brunch Party Mindi Abair, Patrick Lamb and Kathy Payne traditional these ups PHOTOS: ANDREW FICKE PHOTOGRAPHY
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