SAMARA JOY Archives - Signature Cruise Experiences

Our Take: Is it a June Swoon or Just a Nice Break?

Kim Kelley — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 01:42:00 +0000

The end of June is upon us, which means that 2025 is half over or time to begin preparing for its second half. Which description you choose will go far in determining whether you are a pessimist or an optimist. In most years, Signature Cruise Experiences would view the end of June as the official end of cruise season and the beginning of the planning season. With a Fall cruise, Journey of Jazz ’25, looming, 2025 will have a different tone and feel for us.

To prepare for the second half of 2025, we will be doing what every eager, dedicated and focused company does…we will be on vacation. Seriously, for as long as I can remember, we have closed the office for the week of July 4th, in part because the Christmas Holiday season is truncated for us in favor of preparing for our January/February sailings and in part because July 4th is one of the easiest holidays to celebrate and taking time off to simply do very little fits our schedule and our temperament. July 4th has no “Eve,” no presents, and seems to bypass the stress that other holidays provide. It puts the “holiday” back into holidays!

You should have received our While We Are Away notice earlier this week, so you know that we are closed from Monday, June 30 and will reopen on Monday, July 7. You may contact us at info@scecruises.com and our online reservation system is fully operational. For the full details, a copy of the While We Are Away notice may be found on our main website (www.scecruises.com). So that our team can enjoy this break to the fullest, there will be no July 2 Edition of Jazz Notes or July 5 Edition of The Weekender. Each will resume their customary schedule on July 9 and July 13, respectively. (Note: For those in need of a Jazz Notes or The Weekender “fix,” check out the main website where all past editions may be found.)

During this brief hiatus, besides the usual mid-summer activities, we will be preparing for our mid-2025 meetings during which we will be assessing our ’26 Programs and planning for our ’27 Programs. Doing so causes me to reflect upon the 25+ years of producing our programs, the musicians we have known and the amazing guests that we have met, befriended and enjoyed. We are very fortunate to be doing something that we love, with people that we respect, and for people whom we wish to make happy at all times. If you have to toil, it makes it so much easier when you love doing it.

As you know, we have expanded our cruise programs to include additional jazz programs (Journey of Jazz and Christian McBride’s World at Sea) together with some entertainment programs that are outside of the world of jazz. Some, like Botti at Sea and David Foster: The Hitman Cruise, though not entirely jazzy, are within the general vicinity of the jazz world. Others, like Top Shelf Country Cruise and past programs like NASCAR and Star Trek are far from striking distance of our music. Since we will be heading into a planning phase for our next set of programs, we thought it would be interesting if we asked our most loyal fans, the readers of The Weekender, to weigh in and suggest what types of cruise programs they would like us to tackle.

You see, we love our music more than anything in the world, but our singular skill is being able to produce a charter theme cruise. Very few people know how to do that and we believe that we do it better than anyone else. Applying that skill set to any theme is doable for us. One of our mission statements is to add a different theme cruise each year. Top Shelf Country Cruise was the choice for ’26. We are excited to announce that there will be a ’27 sailing of Top Shelf Country Cruise. I should have bought those boots instead of renting them!

Back to our request of you. If you have a cruise concept in mind for us to consider producing, please let us know by sending the information to info@scecruises.com. If we select your theme and it becomes a cruise, not only will you sail on the cruise for life for free, but you will be an “owner”!

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, David Foster: The Hitman Cruise and Top Shelf Country Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com.

Samara Joy’s New Single and BBC Orchestral Debut

The jazz vocal star Samara Joy, who will be performing during McBride’s World at Sea, has just released a new single, “Flor de Lis,” a Portuguese outtake from her 2024 album Portrait, on June 27 In the lead up to her upcoming South American dates in Argentina and Brazil.

In addition, Samara will perform with her octet and the BBC Concert Orchestra on July 19. Her first time performing with a full orchestra, the concert will be broadcast live on BBC4.

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Christian McBride Big Band Album

Samara will also appear on the upcoming recording from the Christian McBride Big Band, Without Further Ado, Vol. 1, singing “Old Folks.” Released on Mack Avenue on August. 29, the album features classic jazz and pop standards sung by Samara and other special guest vocalists, including Cécile McLorin Salvant, Dianne Reeves, José James, Jeffrey Osborne and Antoinette Henry. The first single from the album has just been released and it features Sting and Andy Summers performing “Murder By Numbers,” their tune from The Police’s 1982 multi-platinum Synchronicity.

“This album has been a fantastic opportunity to record some of my favorite big band arrangements, with some of my favorite singers,” Christian said.

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Signature Cruise Experiences’ Mid-Summer Break

As we mentioned in the Our Take, our office will be closed from Monday, June 30 through Friday, July 4. We will be open as usual starting at 10 AM ET on Monday, July 7. Though away from the office, we remain available via email at info@scecruises.com.

All of us at Signature Cruise Experiences wish you and yours a happy, fun and safe July 4th holiday. Whether you spend it on the beach, at a pool, on the deck or just lounging, every holiday deserves a few hours of great jazz! Do not live without it!

Stateroom Availability

Cruise Programs – 2025

Journey of Jazz

Over 98% Reserved. Final Pricing for Remaining Staterooms (Veranda and Inside) Now Announced on Website

Cruise Programs – 2026

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise	Open Booking Now
Christian McBride’s World at Sea	Open Booking Now; Special Prices for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms. Promo Code: CMW
The Jazz Cruise ’26	Over 75% Reserved – Open Booking Now
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1	Join Waitlist
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2	Join Waitlist
Top Shelf Country Cruise	Open Booking Now
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3	Over 80% Reserved – Open Booking Now
Botti at Sea ’26	Open Booking Now; Final Lineup Announcement Soon!

Signature Cruise Experiences’ Programs

Journey of Jazz ’25 – Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Journey of Jazz is more than 97% reserved! There are less than 40 available staterooms consisting of Veranda and Inside Staterooms. These remaining staterooms are currently at their final, lowest price. Don’t miss your chance – join us on our Journey this September! *New reservations only

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David Foster: The Hitman Cruise – 5 Days, 5 Nights, 5 Star Experience

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise will deliver five incredible days and nights of five-star entertainment, all centered around the music and career of 16-time GRAMMY® winner David Foster. Michael McDonald, Babyface, Katharine McPhee and other preeminent talents will join us aboard. Open Booking has begun and staterooms are already moving fast! Act soon to reserve your stateroom of choice.

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Christian McBride’s World at Sea – Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Open Booking has begun! Special pricing available for a limited time on Ocean View & Inside Staterooms. Use Promo Code CMW when you make your reservation! *New reservations only

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The Jazz Cruise ’26 is in Open booking

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 are Fully Reserved

Of course, you may join the Waitlist. Or, if you’d prefer to sail the West Coast this fall (two novel concepts for this program), consider joining us on The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3.

JOIN WAITLIST

Top Shelf Country Cruise is now in Open Booking

With premium talent like Keith Urban, Lee Brice, Scotty McCreery, Parmalee, LeAnn Rimes, Thelma & James and Kassi Ashton, Top Shelf Country Cruise earns its title as the First-Class Country Music Cruise! Reserve your stateroom today!

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The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 is in Open Booking

For the first time in many years, The Smooth Jazz Cruise will sail on the West Coast! The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 is in Open Booking and staterooms are more than 75% reserved. Reserve your stateroom today!

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Botti at Sea ’26 is in Open Booking

We’re thrilled to be able to announce that Boz Scaggs, Elvis Costello, Melody Gardot, Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle will be onboard Botti at Sea ’26 in Fall 2026. Reserve your stateroom today!

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The post Our Take: Is it a June Swoon or Just a Nice Break? appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

OUR TAKE: The Weekend Before Thanksgiving

Kim Kelley — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 11:35:00 +0000

For those who follow this column, you may remember that I love Thanksgiving. The menu is simple, known by all, but flexible enough to highlight individual and family heritage recipes. No gifts. No Thanksgiving Eve. Lots of amazing leftovers.

Who could ask for more?

Thanksgiving is late this year, but it seems like Christmas is being celebrated earlier than ever. I am old enough to remember the beginning of Black Friday sales, which was named as such because retailers usually went into the “black” on the Friday after Thanksgiving. As with most things today, the concept has been tortured, compromised and beaten to death.

Thank goodness for our music. Amid an everchanging, overintense world we can rely upon a great recording, or, even better, a great live show, to settle our nerves, restore our optimism and touch our humanity.

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending an Emmet Cohen concert. Emmet was in town with his trio (Reuben Rogers and Joe Farnsworth). For countless reasons, I cannot say his name or listen to his music without smiling. First, performing on The Jazz Cruise was one of his inaugural professional gigs. Second, the development of his career has mirrored, almost in lockstep, with that program. Third, his growth, maturity and career path are very admirable and, to whatever extent The Jazz Cruise and our company had in that development means a great deal to us.

Before delving further into the personal traits that make Emmet special, let’s agree on one very important aspect of his career. The man can play! Serious chops. Warm and engaging stage presence and nearly perfect song selection for the event at hand. In a world where moments of bliss are thrown around like manhole covers, Emmet continues, night after night, to bring unbridled joy to his audience.

Watching Emmet navigate the jazz world, his baseline (and his bass line for that matter) has always been “respect.” He respects, even worships, the jazz musicians who have paved the way for him, the audience and, most of all, the music. I have watched other stars, such as David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Chris Botti, Christian McBride and Gregory Porter show a similar reverence. None of them, including Emmet, would do anything to cause embarrassment or lack of gratitude for the music or their time on the bandstand.

There are many other musicians with the same dedication and staunch reverence for the bandstand and the music. Confining my comments only to those musicians who have performed multiple times with us on our cruises, certainly John Clayton, John Pizzarelli, Wycliffe Gordon, Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Catherine Russell are graduates of the School of Jazz respect as well.

There are many more who certainly qualify, but I have had the privilege and honor of working with those musicians for several years and each of them, regardless of where they are in the spectrum of jazz when it comes to their musical choices, present themselves with dignity, authenticity, and a deep respect for their craft.

Finding folks whose first goal is to provide a product or a service to others, rather than concentrate on what is best for them personally is harder than ever. Of course, all great musicians take pride in their work. They should. That type of motivation is healthy and nearly a requirement for excellence.

But what matters is which metric they use to measure their success. The great ones know that audience satisfaction is the only metric that matters. If that is achieved, then the other “goodies” will follow naturally and without further effort.

When Emmet performs, he will constantly be looking at the crowd, measuring their reactions, determining if he is connecting and making decisions about how to move forward with the next music. Guess what, for Emmet, checking out the audience is also like taking a victory lap or basking in the sun.

The ever present smile on his face reflects his realization that he is making a whole bunch of people very happy.

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

Signature Cruise Experiences Thanksgiving Break

Our offices will be open for questions during normal business hours on Monday and Tuesday and until 2 PM ET on Wednesday. The office will be closed on Thursday (Thanksgiving) – Sunday and will reopen on Monday, December 2 at 10 AM ET.

The staff of Signature Cruise Experiences wishes you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving!

Holiday Tours

The Thanksgiving holiday is coming up and we all know what that means: Family reunions, turkey dinners, sleepy football watching and perhaps some uncomfortable conversations. True, but musically, it means the onset of holiday music here, there and everywhere – in stores, restaurants and eventually in your head, and not all, or even much of it, good.

But several of our favorite artists will be out there on tour bringing you the good holiday music. ‘Tis the season. Here’s a rundown on just a few of the special tours happening during the coming weeks.

Samara Joy

Samara Joy, the great young vocalist who was a sensation not only on our sailings but all over the world, will perform holiday music with her family in a show called “A Joyful Holiday Featuring The McLendon Family” at theaters and performing arts centers across the country December 3-23.

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Mindi Abair

On November 30, Mindi Abair kicks off her aptly named “I Can’t Wait for Christmas” tour that travels all over the country ending on December 23, just in time to open one of her vintage bottles of wine on Christmas Eve. Then, like Gregory, she’ll host some New Year’s shows, in her case in Coronado, CA, December 29-31.

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Gregory Porter

The co-host of Journey of Jazz ’25 and a longtime favorite of Signature Jazz Cruises’ audiences, Gregory Porter will be touring in the U.S. to support his GRAMMY®-nominated album Christmas Wish December 8-18. He also performs New Year’s shows at the Paramount Theater in Seattle (December 30) and the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles (December 31).

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Rick Braun

Another favorite of The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Rick Braun recently released his first holiday music album, It’s Christmas, and he’ll be doing shows in Seal Beach, California with his friends Peter White, Richard Elliot and Keiko Matsui. Rick will be hosting Rick Braun’s River Cruise at Christmas from Budapest on December 9 and will host Braun’s New Year’s Eve 2024 on December 30 in Orlando, FL.

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Signature Jazz Cruises’ Programs

The Jazz Cruise ’26 Full Announcement on 11.26.24!

The Jazz Cruise ’25 is fully reserved and cancellations will be filled directly from the Waitlist. Reservation details for The Jazz Cruise ’26 will be available soon! Sailing from January 27 – February 3, 2026, The Jazz Cruise ’26 will depart from and return to Ft. Lauderdale with calls on the private island of CocoCay and San Juan. Keep an eye out for the cruise lineup and website – coming November 26!

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

Both sailings for The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25 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 80% reserved. Reserve your stateroom today!

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

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 FULLY RESERVED! Botti at Sea ’26 JUST ANNOUNCED!

Sailing from Los Angeles to Vancouver, with calls on San Francisco and Victoria, BC, Botti at Sea III (’26) is moving to the West Coast in September ’26! The website for the cruise will be available later this year and the amazing lineup will be announced just before Botti at Sea II (’25) sails next February! Join the Pre-Sail today!

JOIN PRE-SAIL

Christian McBride’s World at Sea – Sailing January 20-27, 2026!

Christian McBride will be hosting a new Signature Jazz Cruises’ program, Christian McBride’s World at Sea!

The cruise will set sail from Fort Lauderdale in early ’26 with stops in Jamaica and Grand Cayman. The full lineup and website will be announced on November 26, but you can establish your priority for reserving a stateroom NOW by joining the Pre-Sail.

JOIN PRE-SAIL

Journey of Jazz ’25 – Excursions Available to Book Now!

Hosts Marcus Miller & Gregory Porter will take you on an incredible musical journey onboard Journey of Jazz. The cruise also features a special show from Diana Krall while the ship is in-port in Victoria!

Land-based excursions are now available to book! Check out Signature Jazz Cruises’ curated trips to Wine Country, Special Land Based Concerts and more HERE.

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Mug Shots of the Week

Yolanda B. and Sharon S.
California

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

The post OUR TAKE: The Weekend Before Thanksgiving appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

OUR TAKE: What’s in a Name?

Kim Kelley — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Signature Cruise Experiences! Quoting Shakespeare is not one of my fortes. Though he is touted to be the finest author ever, understanding the true meaning of his words requires patience and understanding. If his writing is so good, why is there a cottage industry of study guides for each of his plays? One of my friends in college never bought a book if there was a study guide available. Skipping the middleman was his theory.

I prefer the “punch you in the eyes” style. If what is said in this column is vague or ambiguous, it is due to the inability of the author and not a clever and witty writing trick to look smarter than we are. Plain speaking, particularly when giving instructions, seems to be the safest path.

It is in the spirit of forthrightness that I spend a few moments on what must be one of the least important messages you will receive in your lifetime. Our beloved Jazz Cruises, which has been the umbrella company for our operations for the last few years, is now a division of our overall operations which we have named Signature Cruise Experiences.

The reason for this modification is simple. “We” (a term to be defined later) have been asked to create and produce cruise programs that do not feature jazz. However shortsighted that pursuit may be, if our participation in those programs would be under the Jazz Cruises label, guests might be confused. Even sadder, there are folks who are not jazz fans! As Mr. T. would say, “I pity the fool!”

Let’s talk about the “We” for a moment. Our “We” includes our Guest Relations Staff, Marketing Team, Administrative Team, Production Team, Crew, etc. Though we refer to us as the Jazz Cruises’ team, technically, we are employed by Jazz Cruises Administration, LLC. Going forward, that company will be called Signature Cruise Experiences and we will be doing our jobs, both on the ship and in the office, under that name.

Many of you are guessing that this entire name change gambit is an excuse for us to develop and purchase new attire for the cruises. You would be half right if you thought that. New attire for each cruise season has always been our rule, but this change does give us the flexibility to create a newer look. At my age, any look has limits, but perhaps our team who selects the attire will find a way to make us (me) look younger.

For those who are relatively new to our operations, moving from Jazz Cruises to Signature Cruise Experiences sounds simple and direct. For those who have been with us for longer know that the history of what we call ourselves has changed from time to time, based solely upon one principle. Accuracy!

The most useful interpretation of the above line from Shakespeare is to recognize that a name, in and of itself, has no meaning or value. A name is a trigger. When said, a name conjures up a particular image, idea, shape or concept. Applying that logic to the various names of our company, our goal is to have that name trigger an accurate and clear insight into what we are doing and how we do it.

In 2004, we were producing The Jazz Cruise and The Smooth Jazz Cruise. Calling our company “Jazz Cruises, LLC” fully described our activities. A few years later, when we partnered with Time Life on Malt Shop Memories Cruise, Soul Train Cruise, Country Music Cruise, Celtic Thunder Cruise and more, we moved to a broader concept of our mission which we named “Entertainment Cruise Productions.”

Though we eventually sold our interests in those non-jazz cruise programs, for a few years we retained the name “Entertainment Cruise Productions” and began to produce our own non-jazz programs like The Elvis Cruise, Star Trek: The Cruise, NASCAR: The Cruise, The 80s Cruise and more. Again, “accuracy” was the test.

Around 2017, we changed course one more time. Though we continued to operate Star Trek: The Cruise and The 80s Cruise, ownership of our non-jazz cruise programs shifted to others, we moved our jazz programs to Celebrity Cruises and we reinstated the name “Jazz Cruises” as the owner of our jazz programs. The actual ownership of those cruises varied a bit, but, for the most part, you could identify Jazz Cruises easily.

The Pandemic days (1,029 days without sailing) paused our activities completely, but, when we returned to service, we thought it best to produce only the cruises we owned and return to an all-jazz portfolio. From that day forward, we have been producing various programs under the name Jazz Cruises and relinquished our rights to the name Entertainment Cruise Productions.

That name, Jazz Cruises, is not an ownership distinction or a legal entity by itself. As we discussed earlier, the name is a trigger, one that, hopefully, conjures the notion of top-flight cruise programs featuring the very best jazz musicians in the world.

Thus far, the post-Pandemic return to service has proven to be a very supportive time for our jazz programs and has energized various non-jazz organizations, companies and groups to engage us in the development of non-jazz cruise programs. Nothing has launched as yet, but it seemed wise to reflect this new direction with a new name.

Signature Cruise Experiences was chosen as the umbrella title for our programs. Unlike in the past, we are maintaining Jazz Cruises as the producer of our jazz programs. Event Cruise Productions, another new entity, will be the legal owner of any new non-jazz program.

Only time will tell what images will be triggered when you hear the name Signature Cruise Experiences or see that name on our staff attire during the cruises. We hope that you will continue to feel our gratitude, dedication and professional approach to each of you. Being in a business where you are serving folks who are spending significant amounts of money, are experienced travelers and who care so deeply about the cruises requires our full attention to detail, responsiveness to your requirements and, most of all, love and respect for the music.

If that is what you feel when hear the name Signature Cruise Experiences, then, in the immortal words of the Lone Ranger, “my work here is done.” Be honest, you did not see the Clayton Moore reference coming. And, if the Lone Ranger was a jazz fan, his famous departing line would reflect that interest.

“A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty Horace Silver!…The Lone Ranger!”

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.

Samara Joy’s Portrait

Samara Joy, who has sailed on both The Jazz Cruise and Botti at Sea, has just released Portrait, an album recorded at the legendary Van Gelder Studios in New Jersey, with her touring band, an octet featuring trumpeter Jason Charos, trombonist Donavan Austin, saxophonists David Mason and Kendric McCallister, pianist Connor Rohrer, bassist Felix Moseholm and drummer Evan Sherman. The album, the follow up to her 2022 breakout album Linger Awhile, is co-produced by Samara and veteran trumpeter/bandleader Brian Lynch. The eight-song album includes songs such as “You Stepped Out of a Dream,” “Autumn Nocturne” and “Day by Day” and spotlights her, not just as a singer, but also as a songwriter, arranger and band leader. Samara will be presenting material from the album on her upcoming tour throughout the U.S. from October 13 to November 9. In addition, she’ll perform holiday music with her family in a show called A Joyful Holiday Featuring the McLendon Family at theaters and performing arts centers across the country December 3-23.

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The Youthful Side of Jazz

Just in the past few weeks, we have experienced some glorious and uplifting performances by great jazz musicians in their teens and early 20s. In each case, the performers were tutored and groomed by seasoned, often topflight, jazz musicians. Pay it Forward is alive and well on the jazz bandstand.

From Christian McBride’s and Melissa Walker’s Jazz House Kids to the All-Stars from the Vail Jazz Festival to the amazing young musicians fostered by the Los Angeles Jazz Society, the future of jazz is shining brightly.

Competition for places in the prestigious music schools in the country is fiercer than ever. Just as it is in sports, the passion for music is started at an early age and most of the performers are laser focused on their craft, their careers and their capabilities.

Simply admiring this phenomenon is not enough. For this trend to continue, there must be light at the end of the tunnel and enough food and supplies to get them there. The end of the tunnel means jobs, careers, opportunities and avenues to allow them to make a living with their music.

For us to help, we simply need to attend and support live music, fight circumstances when tracks are used rather than live musicians and purchase recorded music of musicians who are alive.

Getting those musicians to the light at the end of the tunnel requires support from jazz fans. Money for scholarships. Part time jobs while in school and training. Continued mentorship by today’s music icons.

Jazz Cruises is working on some form of youth event or production for and with every one of our programs. “And a child will lead us.” In music, this is only true if that child is provided the tools, time and teaching to reach their potential.

Stay tuned for more.

Alonzo on the Go

Our longtime comedian-in-residence Alonzo Bodden
invites his fans from the Jazz Cruises programs
to come out to see him perform at these upcoming shows:

October 26:
Blue Note Napa,
Napa, CA
GET TICKETS

November 8-9:
Punchline Comedy Club,
Atlanta, GA
GET TICKETS

November 14-16:
Helium Comedy Club,
Philadelphia, PA
GET TICKETS

Signature Jazz Cruises’ Programs

The Jazz Cruise ’25: FULLY RESERVED & Celebrating it’s 25th Anniversary! The Jazz Cruise ’26 to be Announced Soon!

The Jazz Cruise ’25 is fully reserved. Since the cruise does not sail for several months, there will be cancellations and staterooms will become available. Stateroom vacancies are filled from the Waitlist, so if you wish to sail on The Jazz Cruise ’25, we urge you to JOIN WAITLIST now.

Stay tuned for the launch of The Jazz Cruise ’26. Most of the lineup has been secured, so we should be announcing the details of the cruise in mid to late November.

JOIN WAITLIST

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 & ‘26.2: Lineup Just Announced! ’25 Sailings Fully Reserved

Both sailings for 2025 are fully reserved and the Waitlist has more than 4,000 entrants.

We are now focused on reservations for the ’26 Sailings. All Pre-Sale Reservation Holders are eligible to reserve a stateroom and Open Booking begins on October 17.

OPEN BOOKING BEGINS 10.17

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 Announcement is Here! The First SJC West-Coast Sailing!

We just announced the details of our third sailing of The Smooth Jazz Cruise in ’26! For the first time, The Smooth Jazz Cruise will sail from Vancouver and Victoria to San Francisco and Los Angeles with incredible excursions available. Open Booking begins on November 7th, but you can sign up for a Pre-Sail Reservation today!

JOIN PRE-SAIL

Botti at Sea ’25: Every Night is a Night on the Town;
New Performers Announced – Diana Krall and Peter Cincotti

Botti at Sea ’25 is more than 95% reserved. Act NOW to reserve one of the remaining staterooms. Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms are available in limited quantities.

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

Jazz Cruises’ West Coast program, Journey of Jazz, hosted by Marcus Miller & Gregory Porter, is in Open Booking. Though not sailing for 12 months, the cruise is nearly 70% reserved.

The menu of land-based excursions in Victoria and San Francisco has been announced. Check out Jazz Cruises’ curated trips to Wine Country, Special Shows and more HERE. Reserve your stateroom now to be eligible for events when they become available to reserve next week.

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Signature Cruise Experiences Mug Shots

Tana M.
Virginia

Nancy S.
Florida

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: What’s in a Name? appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.