That is not the message you want to hear from someone producing a jazz cruise, but, fortunately, the weather at the time of year we sail is customarily very good. 

Having recently completed 28 days at sea in January and February, we had only one morning of rain. It is too early to scope out the weather for our ’26 Sailings, but the weather we are expecting for Journey of Jazz ’25 (Vancouver to Los Angeles) in mid-September is expected to be lovely. Typically, 55 degrees to 70 degrees and generally dry. Perfect weather for a journey to Napa or Sonoma or a tour of the restaurants in San Francisco and Victoria. If it sounds like I am excited about that sailing, you are right! It would seem to be a perfect combination of amazing music and great on land events. Something new.

Journey of Jazz ’25 is co-hosted by Gregory Porter and Marcus Miller. The premise of the cruise is based upon Marcus’ History of Jazz Shows which he has curated, produced, and performed on several of our cruises. Working with our Music Director, Eric Marienthal, he has expanded the concept to include additional nights of celebration of jazz. We are particularly keen to that idea during April (Jazz Appreciation Month). Hopefully, you enjoyed Thursday’s edition of Jazz Notes which highlighted the thoughts and musings of some of our musicians about the meaning of Jazz Appreciation Month.

Last night, Marcus and Eric collaborated on a different theme, that being a tribute to David Sanborn. For those who sailed on either The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.1 or ’25.2, you were treated to their amazing presentation, featuring the entire lineup of musicians on the ship performing the tunes that made Sanborn famous and sharing intimate and personal feelings about David and his contributions to music. Though the event last night could not include the full cavalcade of stars that were on the ship, as Adam Sandler would say, the turnout was “not too shabby!”

Performing under the direction of Marcus Miller and Eric Marienthal were Eric Darius, Kirk Whalum, Mindi Abair, Alex Han, Ricky Peterson, Arlington Jones, Nate Phillips, Jay Williams, Kevin Turner and Munyungo Jackson. Alice Soyer Sanborn, David’s widow, was a special guest and performer, providing a fitting tribute to one of the greatest musicians and people of all time. Contributions were made to the David Sanborn Foundation at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The first-year anniversary of his death will be in May. In some respects, it feels like yesterday, but the empty feeling that his absence engenders is so deep that it feels like a wound of many years. My first thought upon hearing about his death was that I would never hear that amazing sound he made again. Not live anyway. That feeling has proven to be accurate, but it gets worse. I have come to realize that my love of him and his music encompassed his entire on-stage presence. Never in a hurry. Always in control. Carefully removing the mouthpiece cover when it was time to play and replacing it on the horn when it was time to rest.

Of course, I can still imagine those movements and can see them on YouTube or other similar media. But, when the tune is over now, I cannot wait for him backstage, joke with him about the show, the size of the crowd or who was the next person we would laugh about. Nor will I be party to the hijinks between him and his techs, such as Wulle Roche, a Damon Runyon character if there ever was one. 

For those who sailed on The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.1 or ’25.2, you were also treated to what we called The Summit Band. The group included Bob James, Lee Ritenour, Dave Weckl, Marcus Miller and Patti Austin. Patti was added when David passed and Eric Marienthal stepped in to perform the saxophone parts. The entire concept of the band was a vehicle for David Sanborn to perform on our cruises perhaps for the last time. That fact, until now, was a secret among Marcus, Eric and me. Knowing that we tried our best to honor David during his life makes honoring him upon his death a bit easier. Remember, I said “a bit.”

By Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Chris Botti at Sea, Christian McBride’s World at Sea, Journey of Jazz, Homecoming: The Cruise and Top Shelf Country Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com.

Christian McBride’s World at Sea

This is Your Best Chance to Join

Christian McBride’s World at Sea is a hit with the fans! It is, perhaps, the most popular new cruise program we have ever offered. With that said, there is a large number of Ocean View and Inside Staterooms remaining. Too many!

We are offering a Jazz Appreciation Month (Super Special) for those staterooms. Use Promo Code JAM when you register online. 

All Prices are per person and non-commissionable. Ocean View and Inside Staterooms are based upon double occupancy. Guests may not apply any other promotion or discount to these prices. For new reservations only.

Check out how excited Christian McBride is for the start of his cruise:

Dave Chappelle to Host Jazz at Lincoln Center Gala

On April 30, which is International Jazz Day, Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) will present its annual star-studded Gala – “Duke Ellington at 125,” hosted by Mark Twain Prize winner Dave Chappelle. The comedian, an alumnus of Washington, D.C.’s Duke Ellington School of the Arts, has a long connection to the music. A jazz fan who cites Thelonious Monk as one of his favorite musicians, Chappelle is an amateur jazz pianist and has appeared at jazz festivals and clubs throughout the years, often with our friend Robert Glasper.  
 
The Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Gala concert will be anchored by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Special guests include members of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, drummer Jeff Hamilton, flautist

Baqir Abbas, vocalist Kate Kortum, pianist Sean Mason, alongside alumni of Jazzat Lincoln Center’s signature education program, Essentially Ellington, as well as rising stars in the organization’s youth programs. In addition, JALC will honor H.E. Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo with the Ed Bradley Award for Leadership in Jazz and Toshiko Akiyoshi with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Award for Artistic Excellence.

Stateroom Availability

Cruise Programs – 2025

Cruise Programs – 2026

Signature Cruise Experiences’ Programs

JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’25
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Join us for Journey of Jazz, our first West Coast sailing in over a decade, featuring a stop in Victoria, British Columbia and an overnight in San Francisco with shows at SFJAZZ and food and wine excursions into Sonoma and Napa Valley. If you haven’t reserved your stateroom yet, this is your cue to hop on board. Limited Time Promotional Pricing is now available on Ocean View and Inside Staterooms! Make your reservation today using Promo Code JOURNEY for significant savings*! *Discount applies to new reservations only. 

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HOMECOMING: THE CRUISE ’26
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Set to sail January 15-20, 2026, Homecoming: The Cruise is more than a vacation—it’s a floating cultural experience centered on Black Greek unity and HBCU pride. 100% of net proceeds from the cruise will go directly toward scholarships and support for HBCUs and members of the Divine Nine. Not only does booking a cabin help provide scholarships, but you also have the opportunity to give back even more by becoming a Cruise Crew Leader. As a Cruise Crew Leader, you gather friends or a group who wish to reserve a stateroom to join you onboard. By doing this, your cabin could be reimbursed, your crew will receive onboard credits, and a scholarship could be donated in your name. Click here to learn more about the Cruise Crew Leader program!

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CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S WORLD AT SEA
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

9X GRAMMY® winner Christian McBride will host our newest Signature Jazz Cruises’ program, Christian McBride’s World at Sea! The cruise will feature legions of musicians who comprise the various ensembles that are the hallmarks of Christian’s music world AND first-class comedy talent. See the full lineup here! Open Booking has begun! Right now, special pricing is available for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms*. To save, use the promo code CMW during the reservation process. *Discount applies to new reservations only.

BOOK NOW

THE JAZZ CRUISE ’26
Open Booking Now Available

Hailed as “Jazz Heaven” by musicians and guests alike, The Jazz Cruise ’26 lineup will feature some of the most iconic musicians from the straight-ahead jazz genre. See the full lineup here. The Jazz Cruise ’26 is in Open Booking! Anyone may now reserve any available stateroom. This program always hits “fully reserved.” The only question is when!

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THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.1 & 26.2
Open Booking Now Available

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 is in Open Booking (anyone may reserve any available stateroom) and staterooms are more than 97% reserved. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 is Fully Reserved, but you may join the Waitlist. Reserve your stateroom today!

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THE TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Open Booking Now Available

The inaugural sailing will feature headline artist Keith Urban and widely popular personalities from iHeartMedia’s The Bobby Bones Show, led by Bobby Bones himself. Top Shelf Country Cruise is now in Open Booking! Anyone may select any available stateroom and complete a reservation. Guests are not required to submit a Pre-Sail Reservation and may proceed directly to the Stateroom Selection process. Reserve your stateroom today!

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THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.3
Open Booking Now Available

For the first time in many years, The Smooth Jazz Cruise will sail on the West Coast, embarking in Vancouver, sailing to Victoria and San Francisco before disembarking in Los Angeles. Exciting land excursions will be available in the ports-of-call! The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 is in Open Booking! Anyone may now reserve any available stateroom. 

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BOTTI AT SEA’26
Open Booking Now Available

We’re thrilled to be able to announce that Boz Scaggs, Elvis Costello and Melody Gardot will be onboard Botti at Sea ’26. Of course, Chris Botti will be there with his very talented band and, as always, we will fill the remaining performance slots with a variety of great music, comedy and more.  Open Booking has begun. Reserve your stateroom today! 

BOOK NOW

Send us Your Mug Shots

We know many readers of The Weekender like to peruse each edition over their morning coffee. And, if you’ve sailed with us, you likely have at least one (or perhaps many) Signature Cruise Experiences mugs just for that purpose. Over the years, The Weekender has featured several pictures of cruisers showing off their mugs, pictures we affectionately refer to as “Mug Shots.”

If you want to share your “Mug Shot” with the 100,000+ readers who receive The Weekender each Saturday, email a photo of yourself and your mug to mugshot@scecruises.com. Who knows? You may just see yourself in a future edition.

Mug Shot of the Week

Tag us @thejazzcruise, @bottiatsea, @thesmoothjazzcruise, #signaturecruiseexperiences and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@scecruises.com.

The post Our Take: Hanging at Berks Jazz Fest appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

So, what type of jazz fan are you? In golf you are judged by your handicap. Tennis has numerical rankings. Other sports have beginners, novices, intermediates, advanced, etc. Let’s see if we can derive a system to measure the degree and type of jazz fan each of us are. It will not be easy nor will it be determinative, but, with any luck, it will be fun and thought provoking.

Level 1: “I Think I Know What Jazz Is”

Once people know what I do for a living, most will say (politely) “I like jazz, too.” Three ways to respond here. Smile and move on. Ask them to name their favorite jazz musicians (usually the best way to learn about the jazz tastes of someone who is, in fact, listening to jazz). Or, if you are in a diabolical mindset and wish to “out” an impostor, ask them “what type of jazz do your prefer?” If the response is on point, then you should feel badly about judging them. If not on point, then you have found a Level 1 Jazz Fan – someone who believes they know what jazz is, but simply cannot articulate it.

Level 2: “Fake It ‘Til You Make It”

Level 2 folks know a few names and may have seen a show or two. They know that being a “jazz” person is cool and will elevate their status in your eyes. It is entirely up to you as to how to handle this person. The most benevolent approach is to let them bask in the glory of making you think that they know jazz. Whether you take that approach or circle in for the kill is largely dependent upon your sense of whether the person is harmless or not. In defining “harm,” the test is whether the person is perpetrating their limited knowledge upon others, particularly those who are genuinely trying to learn.

I would argue that, in those cases, you have a duty to burst their bubble. It is hard enough to encourage folks to learn more about jazz without someone feeding them the wrong information. The unsuspecting fan may pass that wrong information on and could become embarrassed by someone who is more knowledgeable. This would likely thwart our hopeful pupil from trying to learn more.

I am reminded of the guest who grilled Freddy Cole on his latest recordings, claiming to know each of his sidemen. At one point, he asked Freddy “do you come from a musical family?” No recovery from that one.

Level 3: “I Know What I Like”

These are my favorite fans. They know what they like to hear and could care less about who wrote the song, who arranged the song and who the sidemen are on the recording. There is an authenticity and genuineness in someone who likes what they like and does not need to justify or explain it away. Hopefully, at some point, their curiosity will blossom and they will delve into the “who,” “when” and “what” of a tune. Or not!

Level 4: “Of Course I Know That One”

This fan is tricky. Not only do they love the music, but they know a lot about it. Only they do not know everything about it and are unwilling to admit that. It will take a moment to identify one of those as they will be on subject most of the time. Their fatal flaw is not that they do not know everything, it is their refusal to be okay with that. I’ve never understood why someone would fear having others know that they do not know a particular song, singer, instrumentalist, composer or arranger. Unless you selected “JAZZ” as a topic on Jeopardy!, the penalty for being wrong is minimal at best.

Level 5: “I Love Jazz. Tell Me More”

This level is sublime. You know you love the music. You know a lot about the music. Enough to be able to realize the context of the song, to identify the instruments, if not the musicians themselves, and to know that you can “feel” what is happening. If you are at a live set, you are watching the interaction of the musicians. If you are listening to a recording of the music, you are imagining what that interaction must be like.

You are at peace with yourself, your surroundings and your purpose in listening. As the nuances of the music are unveiled to you, you ask yourself if you have heard other renditions of this song, who performed on those recordings and whether you like the new version or the older version. Your mind wanders, relaxes and settles in to enjoy the music. Your thoughts are simplified. You love Jazz. You want more.

Even if I never reach Level 5, the Holy Grail of Jazz, I am having a great time trying!

By Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Chris Botti at Sea, Christian McBride’s World at Sea, Journey of Jazz, Homecoming: The Cruise and Top Shelf Country Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com.

Hot Offers: Journey of Jazz ’25

Regardless of your Jazz Fan Level, Journey of Jazz ’25 fits your jazz acumen. In many respects, the cruise is a 7-day tutorial on the life of jazz. Marcus Miller will reprise his History of Jazz, only this time doing so in 100, not 60 minutes. Each performer has been selected to reflect one or more aspects of what makes jazz so special. 

And, the West Coast itinerary, while not customarily associated with the history of the music, is certainly in line with the music’s lifestyle. Excursions to Sonoma and Napa, shows at SFJAZZ, culinary opportunities in San Francisco. No other music would be as perfect for those settings than jazz.

Journey of Jazz ’25 sails in about 6 months and fewer than 100 staterooms remain available. While staterooms with balconies (Concierge Class/AquaClass and Veranda) remain available, the largest inventory are Ocean View and Inside Staterooms.

You can reserve an Inside Stateroom on the cruise for under $2,000/person and there are special prices for Ocean View staterooms. Reservations may be completed online or by calling the office and are based upon double occupancy, available for new reservations only and non-commissionable. Further, this discount may not be combined with any other offer (Promo Code: JOURNEY).

Berks Jazz Fest Wine Reception with Mindi Abair

Join Mindi Abair and her husband, wine producer Eric Guerra, for a special VIP Wine Tasting Reception at Berks Jazz Fest immediately prior to the David Sanborn Tribute Concert. During the reception, you will enjoy a meet-and-greet with Eric Marienthal, Marcus Miller, and other concert performers.

The reception will be held on Friday, April 11 at 4PM in the banquet area of the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Tickets are $55 and all proceeds benefit the David Sanborn Memorial Fund at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Click below to reserve your spot today.

WINE RECEPTION RSVP

John Splithoff’s Far From Here

Singer-songwriter John Splithoff, a regular performer on Botti at Sea, has just released Far From Here, a new album that reflects upon his move from New York to Los Angeles.  “City Days” which features Chris Botti on trumpet, pays homage to his relationship with New York City at the various stages of his life. Tracks like “Glacier” symbolize relationships growing apart against the backdrop of Montana’s natural beauty, while “Oh Betty” tells a nostalgic story about the Buick Century he drove during his college days in Miami. “Same Page” recalls a transformative camping trip in Arizona that inspired his move west, and “Kyoto Snow” transports listeners to Japan, where he saw snowfall for the first time at a temple in Kyoto.
 
“A lot of these songs are associated with a time and place that hold a lot of meaning to me,” John explained. “I also noticed, within all that change, how my relationships ebbed and flowed—I felt closer to people I didn’t know as well, and I felt distant from people who I considered my best friends and family. So it’s been an eye-opening path.”

100th Episode of Jazz Cruises’ Conversations Podcast

John Pizzarelli with Catherine Russell

Stateroom Availability

Cruise Programs – 2025

Cruise Programs – 2026

Signature Cruise Experiences’ Programs

JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’25
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Promotional pricing is available on Ocean View and Inside Staterooms for Journey of Jazz! Make your reservation today using promo code WEEKENDER for significant savings*! Exciting land-based concerts and excursions are also available! *Discount applies to new reservations only. 

BOOK NOW

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HOMECOMING: THE CRUISE ’26
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Join us for a celebration of HBCUs and inspired by the tradition of the Divine Nine Challenge from recent sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise. Sailing January 15 – 20, 2026 (including MLK Day), this cruise will deliver Excellence, Education and Entertainment. For the best available prices on all Stateroom Categories, use promo code HTC during the booking process. Reserve Your Stateroom Today! 

BOOK NOW

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CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S WORLD AT SEA
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

9X GRAMMY® winner Christian McBride will host our newest Signature Jazz Cruises’ program, Christian McBride’s World at Sea! The cruise will feature legions of musicians who comprise the various ensembles that are the hallmarks of Christian’s music world AND first-class comedy talent. See the full lineup here! Open Booking has begun! Right now, special pricing is available for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms*. To save, use the promo code CMW during the reservation process. *Discount applies to new reservations only.

BOOK NOW

THE JAZZ CRUISE ’26
Open Booking Now Available

Hailed as “Jazz Heaven” by musicians and guests alike, The Jazz Cruise ’26 lineup will feature some of the most iconic musicians from the straight-ahead jazz genre. See the full lineup here. The Jazz Cruise ’26 is in Open Booking! Anyone may now reserve any available stateroom. This program always hits “fully reserved.” The only question is when!

BOOK NOW

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THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.1 & 26.2
Open Booking Now Available

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 is in Open Booking (anyone may reserve any available stateroom) and staterooms are more than 95% reserved. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 is Fully Reserved, but you may join the Waitlist. Reserve your stateroom today!

BOOK NOW

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THE TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Final Lineup & Itinerary Now Available!

Our headliners are Keith Urban, Lee Brice, Scotty McCreery, Parmalee, LeAnn Rimes, Thelma & James and Kassi Ashton. As you can see, the lineup is Top Shelf country music star power. 

When the talent is combined with the iHeartMedia Team of Bobby Bones, Amy Brown, Lunchbox, Eddie and Lorianne Crook & Charlie Chase, the ultra-luxurious Celebrity Reflection cruise ship and wonderful ports of call (Key West, Nassau and Bimini), Top Shelf Country Cruise earns its title as the First-Class Country Music Cruise. Reserve your stateroom today!

BOOK NOW

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THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.3
Open Booking Now Available

For the first time in many years, The Smooth Jazz Cruise will sail on the West Coast, embarking in Vancouver, sailing to Victoria and San Francisco before disembarking in Los Angeles. Exciting land excursions will be available in the ports-of-call! The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 is in Open Booking! Anyone may now reserve any available stateroom. 

BOOK NOW

BOTTI AT SEA’26
Open Booking Now Available

We’re thrilled to be able to announce that Boz Scaggs, Elvis Costello and Melody Gardot will be onboard Botti at Sea ’26. Of course, Chris Botti will be there with his very talented band and, as always, we will fill the remaining performance slots with a variety of great music, comedy and more.  Open Booking has begun. Reserve your stateroom today! 

BOOK NOW

Send us Your Mug Shots

We know many readers of The Weekender like to peruse each edition over their morning coffee. And, if you’ve sailed with us, you likely have at least one (or perhaps many) Signature Cruise Experiences mugs just for that purpose. Over the years, The Weekender has featured several pictures of cruisers showing off their mugs, pictures we affectionately refer to as “Mug Shots.”

If you want to share your “Mug Shot” with the 100,000+ readers who receive The Weekender each Saturday, email a photo of yourself and your mug to mugshot@scecruises.com. Who knows? You may just see yourself in a future edition.

Mug Shot of the Week

Tag us @thejazzcruise, @bottiatsea, @thesmoothjazzcruise, #signaturecruiseexperiences and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@scecruises.com.

The post Our Take: Almost Jazz Appreciation Month appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

Signature Cruise Experiences’ Tribute to David Sanborn at Berks Jazz Fest

The amazing tribute to the late David Sanborn that Marcus Miller and Eric Marienthal produced for the recent sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise is being repeated on Friday, April 11, 2025 at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in the midst of the Berks Jazz Fest. 

Joining Marcus and Eric for the event are Kirk Whalum, Mindi Abair, Eric Darius, Rickey Peterson, Arlington Jones, Jay Williams, Nate Phillips, Kevin Turner, and David’s widow, singer Alice Soyer Sanborn. Prior to the event, Signature Cruise Experiences will host a special wine reception for concert guests who purchase a Wine Reception Pass. The event will be conducted by Mindi and her husband, wine producer Eric Guerra. 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of Wine Reception Passes will be contributed to the David Sanborn Memorial Fund at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

For more information about Berks Jazz Fest:

For ticket information for the David Sanborn Tribute Concert on Friday, April 11, 2025 at Berks Jazz Fest:

To make a direct contribution to the David Sanborn Memorial Fund:

Tickets to Mindi Abair and Eric Guerra’s Wine Reception event, benefiting the David Sanborn Memorial Fund at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, are available now. The event will take place 90 minutes before the David Sanborn Tribute Concert in the banquet area of the Scottish Rite Cathedral. A $55/person fee will be collected at the door. Email your name and the number of guests in your party to wine@scecruises.com to reserve your place now.

Berks Sails on Journey of Jazz

Per John Ernesto’s request, Signature Cruise Experiences will be auctioning a stateroom on Journey of Jazz ’25 at the Berks Jazz Fest. John selected this cruise as many of those associated with Berks Jazz Fest have expressed interest in sailing on Journey of Jazz, which departs from Vancouver on September 12 and ends in Los Angeles on September 19, with stops in Victoria BC and San Francisco.

John tells us that fans who have never visited Napa, Sonoma or San Francisco are excited to combine another first class music cruise experience with the opportunity to visit these locales using the cruise ship as their hotel. That the cruise features Marcus Miller, Gregory Porter, Diana Krall, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Chucho Valdes, Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Sullivan Fortner, Wycliffe Gordon, Emmet Cohen, Benny Benack III, Bria Skonberg and more just adds to the excitement.

Journey of Jazz ‘25 is more than 80% reserved, but we have an inventory of Ocean View Staterooms and Inside Staterooms that are being favorably priced for a limited time. To learn more about this pricing, initiate a reservation (www.journeyofjazz.com) and use the promo code: WEEKEENDER. Reserving an Ocean View or Inside Stateroom is a great way to enjoy Journey of Jazz ’25. The staterooms are large, well appointed, and the savings are significant. 

As we used to say years ago, “try it, you’ll like it.”

One Last (Albeit, Reluctant) Note

Today is my 75^th birthday. I spent my first 25 years being a kid and getting educated. The next 25 years was spent in business and practicing law. The last 25 years has been producing cruise programs, mostly jazz programs and being involved with our musicians, staff and crew. My first 25 years was necessary. The second 25 years was rewarding, but tumultuous. 

The last 25 years has been everything in life that matters to me. An amazing, loving and talented wife. Two great kids. Two magical grandchildren. Fabulous co-workers. The finest musicians and performers in the world. And, most of all, the opportunity to share the music vacations of thousands of truly wonderful guests. Some have been with us from the start. Some of those guests are no longer with us. Most come and go as their lives and interests change.

I know that I have been blessed. I trust that I have given back to each of you. Who knows what the future holds, but I promise to continue to produce great programs, treat everyone with respect and dignity and enjoy every minute, every note and every person who is associated with Signature Cruise Experiences.  At some point today, I will toast all of you and wish you the very best. 

My parting wisdom for the day is simple…..if applicable, be sure to turn your clocks forward tonight as Daylight Savings Time is back. So profound.

By Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Chris Botti at Sea, Christian McBride’s World at Sea, Journey of Jazz, Homecoming: The Cruise and Top Shelf Country Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com.

Christian McBride & Angelique Kidjo Perform at Pucci Gallery for
JAZZ HOUSE KiDS’ Benefit

On Thursday, Christian McBride and Angelique Kidjo, the host and featured performer for Christian McBride’s World at Sea Cruise, joined forces for a priceless one-night-only evening at the exclusive Ralph Pucci Manhattan gallery, raising vital funds to support JAZZ HOUSE KiDS’ mission as an instrument for change creating avenues of access, learning career development and community building. This was the 9^th Annual Ralph Pucci Annual Jazz Set during which time Christian has been joined by some of the very top musicians in the world, including Sting, Gregory Porter, Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Norah Jones and John Pizzarelli.

“For over 20 years, JAZZ HOUSE KiDS has been transforming lives using the power and legacy of jazz through world-class education and performances that create avenues of access, learning, career development and community building. The organization and students have received more than 125 awards and honors for excellence in jazz and jazz education. Every day of the week through a series of in-school and out-of-school programs, the JAZZ HOUSE helps young people gain an artistic edge through music, mentoring, education and apprenticeship, building thriving communities, and fostering community leaders and global citizens. The organization’s far-reaching cultural signature program is the award-winning Montclair Jazz Festival, the largest free jazz festival in the NYC area, attracting more than 25,000 attendees to downtown Montclair each year.”

The organization is led by Melissa Walker, jazz vocalist and wife of Christian McBride. Signature Cruise Experiences has been a supporter of JAZZ HOUSE KiDS and the Montclair Jazz Festival for years. The Jazz House All-Stars, the top performers from Jazz House Kids, have performed on The Jazz Cruise ’24 and The Jazz Cruise ’25.

Jazz at Lincoln Center Concerts

In the coming weeks, several artists associated with our cruises will be performing concerts in NYC at Jazz at Lincoln Center, known as the House of Swing. Among the upcoming shows at the beautiful venues there at Columbus Circle (Rose Theater, Appel Room and Dizzy’s) are performances:
 

• Anat Cohen March 14-15 
• Chris Brubeck & the Real Ambassadors April 4-5
• Paquito D’Rivera April 18-19
• Wynton Marsalis & the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra April 25-26
• Christian McBride & Ursa Major + Ray Brown Tribute May 2-3

SFJazz Concerts

On the West Coast, our friends at SFJAZZ will also be presenting artists with close ties to Signature Cruise Experiences programs.  Artists performing concerts at the SFJAZZ Center this Spring include:
 

• Etienne Charles March 15
• Christian McBride & Ursa Major March 22-23
• Bob James March 29-30
• Brad Mehldau/Christian McBride/Marcus Gilmore April 3-6
• Billy Hart April 10
• Herlin Riley April 11
• Marvin “Smitty” Smith April 13
• Kenny Barron April 10-13

Stateroom Availability

Having been at sea for four weeks, we thought it best to share what is new with respect to our next 9 cruise programs and to highlight special offers for select programs.

Cruise Programs 2025

Cruise Programs 2026

Hot Offers

Ocean View and Inside Staterooms are available on Journey of Jazz ’25. You can reserve an Inside Stateroom on the cruise for under $2,000/person and there are special prices for Ocean View staterooms. Reservations may be completed online or by calling the office and are based upon double occupancy, available for new reservations only and non-commissionable. Further, this discount may not be combined with any other offer (Promo Code: WEEKENDER).

Signature Cruise Experiences ‘ Programs

JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’25
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Promotional pricing is available on Ocean View and Inside Staterooms for Journey of Jazz! Make your reservation today using promo code WEEKENDER for significant savings*! Exciting land-based concerts and excursions are also available!

*Discount applies to new reservations only. 

BOOK NOW

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HOMECOMING: THE CRUISE ’26
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Join us for a celebration of HBCUs and inspired by the tradition of the Divine Nine Challenge from recent sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise. Sailing January 15 – 20, 2026 (including MLK Day), this cruise will deliver Excellence, Education and Entertainment. 

For the best available prices on all Stateroom Categories, use promo code HTC during the booking process.

Reserve Your Stateroom Today! 

BOOK NOW

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CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S WORLD AT SEA
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

9X GRAMMY® winner Christian McBride will host our newest Signature Jazz Cruises’ program, Christian McBride’s World at Sea! The cruise will feature legions of musicians who comprise the various ensembles that are the hallmarks of Christian’s music world AND first-class comedy talent. See the full lineup here!

Right now, special pricing is available for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms. To save, use the promo code CMW during the reservation process. Open Booking has begun! Reserve your stateroom today! 

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THE JAZZ CRUISE ’26
Open Booking Now Available

Hailed as “Jazz Heaven” by musicians and guests alike, The Jazz Cruise ’26 lineup will feature some of the most iconic musicians from the straight-ahead jazz genre. See the full lineup here. 

The Jazz Cruise ’26 is in Open Booking!
Anyone may now reserve any available stateroom. This program always hits “fully reserved.” The only question is when!  

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THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.1 & 26.2
Open Booking Now Available

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 is in Open Booking (anyone may reserve any available stateroom) and staterooms are more than 95% reserved. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 is Fully Reserved, but you may join the Waitlist.

Reserve your stateroom today!

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THE TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Open Booking Now Available

The inaugural sailing will feature headline artist Keith Urban and widely popular personalities from iHeartMedia’s The Bobby Bones Show, led by Bobby Bones himself. 

Top Shelf Country Cruise is now in Open Booking! Anyone may select any available stateroom and complete a reservation. Guests are not required to submit a Pre-Sail Reservation and may proceed directly to the Stateroom Selection process. Reserve your stateroom today!

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THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.3
Open Booking Now Available

For the first time in many years, The Smooth Jazz Cruise will sail on the West Coast, embarking in Vancouver, sailing to Victoria and San Francisco before disembarking in Los Angeles. Exciting land excursions will be available in the ports-of-call!

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 is in Open Booking! Anyone may now reserve any available stateroom. 

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BOTTI AT SEA’25 is Fully Reserved!
Open Booking Now Available

We’re thrilled to be able to announce that Boz Scaggs, Elvis Costello and Melody Gardot will be onboard Botti at Sea ’26. Of course, Chris Botti will be there with his very talented band and, as always, we will fill the remaining performance slots with a variety of great music, comedy and more.

Open Booking has begun. Reserve your stateroom today! 

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Send Us Your Mug Shots

We know many readers of The Weekender like to peruse each edition over their morning coffee. And, if you’ve sailed with us, you likely have at least one (or perhaps many) Signature Cruise Experiences mugs just for that purpose. Over the years, The Weekender has featured several pictures of cruisers showing off their mugs, pictures we affectionately refer to as “Mug Shots.”

If you want to share your “Mug Shot” with the 100,000+ readers who receive The Weekender each Saturday, email a photo of yourself and your mug to mugshot@scecruises.com. Who knows? You may just see yourself in a future edition.

Mug Shot of the Week

Jon & Joycelyn R.
Virginia

Tag us @thejazzcruise, @bottiatsea, @thesmoothjazzcruise, #signaturecruiseexperiences and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@scecruises.com.

The post Our Take: Countdown to Berks Jazz Fest appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

I am usually doing errands and in the car on Saturday mornings, so I catch parts of his show from time to time. His detail is exquisite. Never misses to announce a sideman. Or an arranger. And certainly not a composer. If I were not driving, I would take notes when he introduces a tune.

With all that going on, when I think of Dick Golden, one of his comments is always at the forefront of my memory. When introducing a tune that featured Eddie Higgins on piano, Dick said that Eddie “never tasted the full fruit of his talents.” I have wanted to ask Dick what he meant by the comment, but I believe he was intimating that Eddie never received the accolades or recognition that he deserved based upon his talents.

Born in Cambridge, MA., Eddie began playing piano at 4 years old. His education was at a high level, attending Andover Prep where his father taught and Northwestern University. During his college years he became a part of the Chicago jazz scene eventually setting up shop with his trio and the famous London House, where he performed with Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz, Bill Evans, Cannonball Adderley, Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard and others. 

In short, he was the leader of a house band where his main obligation was to learn the music of the guest star and blend in as best as he could. What he gained in experience and in popularity with local patrons, he lost in developing his own style, sound and path.

Later moving back to New England, Eddie settled on Cape Cod and performed at local clubs along with his partner and wife, vocalist Meredith D’Ambrosio. There are a couple of ways to look at that arrangement, but one would certainly be that Eddie was her accompanist.

House Band leader and accompanist. If Dick Golden’s comments are the logical extension of that background, I understand his point. Yet, in a review in JazzTimes in 1997, Eddie’s Sunnyside album was called “one of the most impressive piano trio albums in recent memory.” Another critic offered that “Eddie Higgins is on the same level of excellence as Hank Jones and Tommy Flanagan.“  

By now, many of you are wondering why Eddie Higgins’ reputation is so important to me. As some of you know, Eddie was one of the first performers on The Jazz Cruise and was instrumental in helping my mother gather the musicians for the first cruise. For that alone, I hold him in the highest regard.

But, I also spent several cruises listening to him perform solo shows on the ship. They were sublime, beautiful, and heartfelt. Eddie was also on the piano for most of the special events on the cruise. Much like the Jeff Bridges character in The Fabulous Baker Boys, Eddie could do the ham and egg gigs and then go into a phonebooth and become Super Eddie.

I always felt that Eddie was too practical to be an artist. Paying the bills, having a gig, and being useful was just as important to him as being special. Perhaps not entirely telling, Eddie would balk at any performance schedule that interfered with his required dining time. When he could eat dominated his day.

A quiet, introspective man, I always sensed that there was a lot more to him that was bottled up inside, a spirit of which we would only see glimpses. Not all life’s dreams are fulfilled. Sometimes we have to settle for a life well lived. 

By Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Chris Botti at Sea, Christian McBride’s World at Sea and Journey of Jazz. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com.

David Sanborn Tribute Concert

The life and legacy of our friend David Sanborn will be celebrated with a very special tribute concert on Saturday, November 25 at Sony Hall in NYC. Proceeds from the event, which will feature performances by many of his longtime friends and colleagues, will benefit the David Sanborn Memorial Fund and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Among the artists familiar to Jazz Cruises audiences who are appearing at the concert are Randy Brecker, Kurt Elling, Bob James, Marcus Miller, Eric Marienthal, Geoffrey Keezer and many more.

NOTE: Jazz Cruises will be presenting a tribute to David Sanborn at Berk’s Jazz Fest in April 2025. Stay tuned for more information.

Jazz Cruises’ Programs

The Jazz Cruise ’25 – FULLY RESERVED – The Jazz Cruise ’26 to be Announced Soon!

The Jazz Cruise ’25 is fully reserved. Rooms will become available due to cancellations and vacancies are filled directly from the Waitlist. If you wish to sail on The Jazz Cruise ’25, we urge you to JOIN WAITLIST now. Stay tuned for details about The Jazz Cruise ’26 – to be announced in November! 

JOIN WAITLIST

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 & ‘26.2 – Reserve Your Stateroom Today!  

Both sailings for 2025 are fully reserved and the Waitlist has more than 4,000 entrants. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 & ‘26.2 are in Open Booking (anyone may reserve any available stateroom) and are over 75% reserved.

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The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 is Here – New West-Coast Sailing! 

The third sailing of The Smooth Jazz Cruise in ’26 has been announced! For the first time in many years, The Smooth Jazz Cruise will sail on the West Coast, embarking from Vancouver, sailing to Victoria and San Francisco before disembarking in Los Angeles. Exciting land excursions will be available in the ports-of-call! Open Booking begins on November 7th!

JOIN PRE-SAIL

Botti at Sea ’25 – Every Night is a Night on the Town

Botti at Sea ’25 is more than 98% reserved. Only a limited number of Inside Staterooms remain available, so Act NOW to reserve one.

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Journey of Jazz ’25 – Jazz Life at Sea & On Land – Reserve Now – Excursions Available to Book Now!

Jazz Cruises’ West Coast program, Journey of Jazz, hosted by Marcus Miller & Gregory Porter, is in Open Booking. Land-based excursions are now available to book! Check out Jazz Cruises’ curated trips to Wine Country, Special Shows and more HERE.

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Mug Shots of the Week

Guests on the ’24 jazz cruises received The Weekender mug, which we hope you will use with your Saturday morning coffee while you read the latest edition. Please share a picture of yourself & your mug with us so that we can include it for the 100,000+ folks who receive The Weekender each Saturday.

Tag us @thejazzcruise, @bottiatsea, @thesmoothjazzcruise, #jazzcruises and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@scecruises.com.

The post OUR TAKE: A Life Well Lived appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

Our corner of the world is still embracing the loss of David Sanborn. As shared before, knowing that you will never see him perform live again is difficult to absorb. Though their “playing days” are long in the past, the deaths of Willie Mays (Greatest Baseball Player) and Jerry West (The Logo) conjure up memories from my youth and adolescence. I appreciate those who are not snickering by that statement as many are waiting for the real termination date of my adolescence. All I can say is “good luck with that.” As their nicknames connote, their passing is more than just the passing of an athlete. 

Seeing all the advertisements coming our way, the summer jazz festival season is in high gear. Calling out a few festivals is dangerous as we will undoubtedly miss one or two important shows, but we are throwing caution to the wind and going for it. Our good friend, Christian McBride, is curating the Newport Jazz Festival, August 2 – 4, which features many Jazz Cruises’ performers. Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington, Samara Joy, Artemis, Ravi Coltrane, Kenny Barron, Anat Cohen and Gerald Clayton will be there along with Christian’s Jam Jawn, an all-star group that features Russell Gunn, Christian Sands and one of our (and mine) favorite performers in the world, Dianne Reeves.

Newport Jazz Festival has so many special memories for us at Jazz Cruises. It was the first “must see” festival of my life. Besides being the site of some of the most famous jazz performances in the history of the genre, I spent four years of my life in college near there, so the aura of being there is overwhelming. Newport is also the home of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Jazz and tennis. If Newport becomes a Major League Baseball town, I will move in a heartbeat.

Labor Day Weekend brings us both the Detroit Jazz Festival and the Vail Jazz Party. Here again, the lineups include many, many Jazz Cruises’ regulars and special guests. In Detroit, you can see and hear Christian McBride & Inside Straight, Ravi Coltrane, Monty Alexander, Billy Childs, Marquis Hill, Nate Smith and Isaiah J. Thompson. There is no charge for this event which makes it one of the most amazing opportunities to enjoy jazz simply by showing up!

Detroit has special meaning as well for us. After spending four years near Newport, I spent the next three years near Detroit. Now, they have a baseball team, but the town is not known for tennis and is too cold in the winter to live there year around. Aubrey and Brad Pavlik, our Chief of Staff and Director of Cruise Operations, respectively, also reside near Detroit.

The Vail Jazz Party, the iconic jazz event curated for years by the late Howard Stone and his wife, Cathy, has been a part of Jazz Cruises’ lore forever! As I have shared before, the end of this event each year was the signal of beginning for our cruise season programming for the next set of cruises. Always inspiring, Vail Jazz Party is special to us and to its many followers. The ’24 edition features John Clayton, Lewis Nash, Terell Stafford, Wycliffe Gordon, Dick Oatts, Bill Cunliffe, James Morrison, Ann Hampton Callaway and Niki Haris. I love being in Vail, but, as I age, the altitude effect makes it difficult for me, leaving Vail on the “visit” and not on the “residence” list.

Yes, I poke fun at St. Louis, my hometown, for there are many reasons not to live here, but we have Major League Baseball (Cardinals), an amazing jazz tradition (Miles Davis, David Sanborn, Clark Terry and many more) and a sterling tennis history as well. What is the tennis history in St. Louis, you are asking? St. Louis was the birthplace of Dwight F. Davis, founder of the international tennis competition that bears his name, Davis Cup.

Davis was the Assistant Secretary of War from 1923 to 1925 and Secretary of War from 1925 to 1929. His grandfather and cousin were Mayors of St. Louis. His tennis prowess is evidenced by being the runner up in the US Championships in 1989 and 1899, being the intercollegiate singles champion (Harvard) in 1899 and a runner up in Men’s Doubles at Wimbledon in 1901.

Which brings me back to what I am doing now, which is preparing for my first ever visit to Wimbledon, which will be tomorrow. London has jazz for sure and we will be at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in a few days to see Marcus Miller perform. Small world, right? No need to think about moving to London. Yes, they have jazz and tennis, but it will be a long time before Major League Baseball makes it over here.

Cricket? Seriously, can anyone explain to me why that sport is entertaining? Plus, I have been told that you cannot buy a hot dog at a cricket match!

By Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Chris Botti at Sea, and Journey of Jazz. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com

New Music

Recently, two young pianists who have performed in the past on The Jazz Cruise released new albums.

Brandon Goldberg’s Live at Dizzy’s

Pianist Brandon Goldberg first played on The Jazz Cruise as a guest when he was just 9 years old. The now 18-year-old will sail and perform on The Jazz Cruise ’25 as a contracted performer. Brandon recently released the album Live at Dizzy’s on the Cellar Music Group label. Recorded with Ben Wolfe (bass) and Aaron Kimmel (drums), Brandon’s trio concept is grounded in the great piano trios of the 1950s and 1960s. Drawing on the influence of legends such as Ahmad Jamal, Red Garland, Oscar Peterson and Sonny Clark, Brandon’s arrangements and compositions seek to pay homage to his predecessors through both tasteful renditions and intentional curation. Live at Dizzy’s presents the trio’s modernized take on the music of these historic trios while still giving respect to the pianists and traditions of those by whom Brandon was inspired.

Julius Rodriguez’s Evergreen

Pianist Julius Rodriguez sailed with us on The Jazz Cruise earlier this year as a member of Kurt Elling’s band. Already in his young career, Julius has played with a wide range of jazz (and jazz-leaning) artists, such as Carmen Lundy, Lakecia Benjamin, Joe Farnsworth, Meshell Ndegeocello, Macy Gray, Morgan James, Wynton Marsalis and the late Roy Hargrove. His latest album, Evergreen, released on Verve, is an eclectic and often electric project that showcases his versatility and virtuosity on keyboards. The recording features special guests Keyon Harrold, Georgia Anne Muldrow and Nate Mercereau.

I kept seeing the word Evergreen everywhere,” he explains. “I looked up the definition, and it struck me. An ‘Evergreen’ is a plant whose foliage remains functional for all seasons. That’s similar to how I like to be; I want to be myself no matter the genre I’m playing or what’s going on around me. There are a lot of styles on this record, but it’s recognizably my voice.”

Jazz Cruises’ ’25 Programs

The Jazz Cruise ’25
Celebrating its 25^th Anniversary
The Last 70 Staterooms…Act Now! 

The plans for the 25th Anniversary sailing of The Jazz Cruise ’25 are spectacular. The cruise is over 94% reserved and is currently in Open Booking, which means that anyone may reserve any available stateroom. The remaining inventory, totaling just under 70 staterooms, includes Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms.

BOOK NOW

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘25.1 & ‘25.2
Starting its 3^rd Decade
Both Sailings Fully Reserved

With both sailings being fully reserved, guests wishing to sail on a ’25 sailing of The Smooth Jazz Cruise should JOIN WAITLIST now. Cancellations will be filled exclusively from the WAITLIST. WAITLIST guests qualify for special terms when reserving a stateroom on The Jazz Cruise ’25 or Botti at Sea II.

JOIN WAITLIST

1-Day Tickets to STL Jazz Fest are On Sale Now!

Mug Shots

Guests on the ’24 jazz cruises received The Weekender mug, which we hope you will use with your Saturday morning coffee while you read the latest edition. Please share a picture of yourself & your mug with us so that we can include it for the 100,000+ folks who receive The Weekender each Saturday.

Tag us @thejazzcruise @bottiatsea @thesmoothjazzcruise #jazzcruises and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@scecruises.com.

The post OUR TAKE: Odds and Ends appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

Kenny Barron’s Beyond This Place

In his 80th year, Kenny Barron — NEA Jazz Master, 13-time Grammy nominee, and veteran of The Jazz Cruise — is one of the greatest jazz pianists currently at work and a still-thriving link to jazz’s midcentury golden age. His latest album, Beyond This Place, features his longtime working trio of bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa and drummer Johnathan Blake, along with vibraphonist Steve Nelson and saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins. The program includes original works from throughout Kenny’s storied career, plus Monk and more.

Kirk Whalum’s Epic Cool

Kirk Whalum, who has sailed on The Smooth Jazz Cruise numerous times, as well as turns on The Jazz Cruise and other programs, has just released Epic Cool, his 28th album as a leader. Teaming up with producer Greg Manning, Whalum focuses on his songwriting to craft an album that’s passionate and spirited, but with his trademark soul. The album is very much a family affair, thanks to the presence of son Kyle on bass and nephews Kameron on trombone and Kenneth III on tenor. “I’m still on this path trying to do something important,” Whalum said. “At 65, I still feel very young. I feel like I have a mandate to be the very best version of myself and to push down some more doors.”

“Few musicians have had a greater positive impact on our programs than Kirk Whalum,” offers Jazz Cruises’ Executive Director Michael Lazaroff. “He is that rare talent that can be a major contributor to any of our themes and cruises. And, he is respected by musicians from every pocket of the jazz world.”

LEARN MORE

Butler, Whalum and Bodden at the 2nd Annual Desert Jazz Festival!

Enjoy 4 days and 3 nights of relaxation at the Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa in the beautiful Coachella Valley October 3-6.

Dive into a realm where you’re not just a guest; you’re a VIP. With no more than 400 other jazz music lovers, it’s one of the most intimate settings to enjoy music, comedy, food, and friends.
  
Arrive early or extend your stay using our Smooth Jazz Cruise exclusive code SJCDJF100 to receive a $100 discount per person by providing proof of your 2024 sailing or your current booking for 2025.

The star-studded lineup includes Ray Parker Jr., Jonathan Butler, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Jessy J, Lindsey Webster, Marcus Anderson and the comedic talents of Alonzo Bodden

Reserve your space now by going to www.desertjazzfestival.com or by calling 800.248.7471. 

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW

STL Jazz Fest Two-Day Tickets Available! Individual Tickets Go On Sale 5.31!

2-Day Tickets are now available on Ticketmaster for STL JAZZ FEST. 1-Day Tickets will go on sale Friday, May 31. For details about the festival and how to purchase tickets, see below:

STL JAZZ FEST
Produced by Jazz Cruises
The Factory – Chesterfield (St. Louis) Missouri

FRIDAY AUGUST 23, 2024
Eric Marienthal Quintet, featuring Niki Haris
The Comedy of Alonzo Bodden
GREGORY PORTER

SATURDAY AUGUST 24, 2024
Mindi Abair with Eric Marienthal & Friends
The Comedy of Alonzo Bodden
BRIAN CULBERTSON
  Doors 6 pm / Showtime 7 pm

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW

Jazz Cruises’ ’25 Programs

The Jazz Cruise ’25
Celebrating its 25^th Anniversary

The plans for the 25th Anniversary sailing of The Jazz Cruise ’25 are spectacular. The cruise is over 87% reserved and is currently in Open Booking, which means that now anyone may reserve any available stateroom. Staterooms with Verandas remain in inventory along with Ocean View and Inside Staterooms.

BOOK NOW

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘25.1 & ‘25.2
Starting its 3^rd Decade

With both sailings being fully reserved, guests wishing to sail on a ’25 sailing of The Smooth Jazz Cruise should JOIN WAITLIST now. Cancellations will be filled exclusively from the WAITLIST. WAITLIST guests qualify for special terms when reserving a stateroom on The Jazz Cruise ’25 or Botti at Sea II.

JOIN WAITLIST

Botti at Sea ’25
Every Night is a Night on the Town

Botti at Sea ’25 is in the Open Booking stage and is over 60% reserved. Anyone may reserve any available stateroom either by calling the office during regular business hours or doing so online. It was this time last year that there was a “run” on staterooms, so act now! 

BOOK NOW

Journey of Jazz ’25
Jazz Life at Sea & On Land 
West Coast Style 

Jazz Cruises’ newest program, Journey of Jazz ’25, hosted by Marcus Miller & Gregory Porter, has completed the Pre-Sale process and began Open Booking on April 30, 2024. Like a race care, this program as gone from 0 – 60(%) sold in the blink of an eye. 

BOOK NOW

Mug Shots of the Week

Guests on the ’24 jazz cruises received The Weekender mug, which we hope you will use with your Saturday morning coffee while you read the latest edition. Please share a picture of yourself & your mug with us so that we can include it for the 100,000+ folks who receive The Weekender each Saturday.

Tag us @thejazzcruise @bottiatsea @thesmoothjazzcruise #jazzcruises and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@scecruises.com.

The post OUR TAKE: Sanborn appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.