The rain stayed away, musicians came to play and after almost two years of planning, James Brown finally got his Payback.

The inaugural Payback (Celebrate James Brown) festival took place Saturday on what would have been the Godfather's 75th birthday.

The event kicked off with the Swanee Quintet performing for a sparse but enthusiastic crowd under threatening skies. Halfway through the legendary gospel act's set, singer Percy Griffin left the stage and took the show into the audience, turning the group's electric gospel into a sort of revival celebrating both God and the Godfather.

Greg Hester followed, playing a soulful set with members of James Brown's band after first being introduced by the legendary keeper of the cape, Danny Ray. Athens act the Modern Skirts played next, and after a short break, headliners Branford Marsalis and the Doobie Brothers performed for a slowly swelling audience under clearing skies. The evening concluded with a set by the Soul Generals, featuring Mr. Brown's son Daryl Brown.

Mr. Marsalis said that for him and his band, the opportunity to play the festival meant more than merely filling a slot on the bill.

"The fact that this is James Brown's hometown, and that this is for him, that's the whole reason we are here," the jazz giant said. "It's really an affirmation. James Brown has had a profound effect on music, on me and on everybody in this band."

Looking tired but happy, Augusta Museum of History Executive Director Nancy Glaser watched the end of the Modern Skirts' set from a shaded seat. Ms. Glaser, who was involved in the planning of the festival and the museum exhibition dedicated to James Brown, said there's a reward of seeing both events come to fruition.

"It's beyond satisfying," she said. " Watching James Brown's children while the Swanee Quintet was playing, that alone made it all worthwhile. It's been a long journey, but wonderful. I feel like James Brown has been there with me the whole time."

Deanna Brown-Thomas, Mr. Brown's daughter, said there have been hard and emotional days since her father's death on Christmas Day 2006.

She said Father's Day and Christmas are difficult and that going through the museum exhibition, which opened Saturday, was emotional. But his birthday, she said with a smile, will now be something to look forward to.

"Today is a great day for me," she said . "It's a chance just to sit back and be his daughter, to watch other people enjoying him and enjoying his daughter."

Motioning toward the crowd assembling to hear Mr. Marsalis pay his jazz tribute, she laughed quietly. "I mean look at this. Even in death, he can still bring us together."

Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626 or steven.uhles@augustachronicle.com.