On the Job

As founder and president of Beyond One Entertainment, Kim Giles cultivates the careers of jazz artists. The year-old, artist- and event-management company based in Fort Myers has orchestrated events at Gulf Coast Town Center and is a sponsor of Jazz on the Green 2007. Beyond One's roster of artists includes big names in smooth jazz, such as Walter Beasley. But working with new, local artists is what Giles, 39, finds most rewarding.

What is Beyond One Entertainment?

Beyond One is artist and event management, not a booking agency. It's more like talent consulting. We [use] radio promotion companies, digital marketing, MySpace. We'll send out free downloads of music to promote it. In about seven days we had more than 1,000 free downloads logged for one artist.

How did you get into the music business?

Music is a second career for me; I was a baker. In 1999 I got into a car accident, and six months into my recovery from that I broke my back falling down some stairs. My doctor said I

couldn't bake [because of] all the lifting. I [asked myself], "Well, what do you love?" I love music. So I started in radio, part-time, for $6.50 an hour.

What are the challenges to running this business in Southwest Florida?

Germain Arena is great for bigger shows, but I like a more intimate show. I think it's important to give those new up-and-comers a place where they can feel comfortable. Also, so many of the venues are outdoors. With the summertime rain, as a promoter, it's a really big risk.

How is promoting smooth jazz different from

promoting other genres?

I think smooth jazz is one of the hardest because it's such a niche format. It's not like the country acts that are getting $300,000 a show. The highest-paid smooth-jazz act is going to be somebody like Anita Baker or Kenny G, and they're getting something like $125,000 to $150,000. But smooth jazz is also more than just music; it's a lifestyle. People will save up and go to one concert every few months. They'll bring a little basket with wine and bread. It's a whole destination; it's not just going to a concert.

What sets Beyond One Entertainment apart from other management companies?

When I was in radio, one of the things I learned from some of the big names in smooth jazz is that the management can be terrible. I wanted to put together an agency where we were fair with our prices and good for the artists. I won't do work for them if I don't think I can give it my all. I think a lot of people are attracted to that.

You focus a lot on the young artists. Why?

I remember what it was like coming up in radio and wanting to know how it all worked. It's so nice to look at a young artist when they hear their song on the radio for the first time and they're like, "Wow!" There are a lot of people in the music business who won't teach new artists what it takes to get your music on the radio-and I will.

-Sammy Mack