For those who bet on this week’s Our Take being a commentary on Jazz Appreciation Month, you win. For those who felt otherwise, you are invited to our weekly poker game. Bring your money and something comfortable upon which to sit.
JAM reminds me of the Star Trek Cruise we produced for years. Though our guests wore Star Trek costumes all the time, the cruise gave them the unfettered right to do so all day and all night for seven days and not feel the least guilty or self-conscious. During April, I am free to annoy my friends who are not jazz fans with stories about the music and 24/7 jazz references. Actually, I have only one friend who does not like jazz. Now, my other friend loves jazz. No worries there.
Most of my jazz world interaction is with our guests, our musicians and our team. Next week (Friday), I will be at the Berks Jazz Fest in Reading, Pennsylvania, which will be my first significant jazz interaction since the cruises. I cannot wait to see our jazz friends and to enjoy some great music. Marcus Miller and Eric Marienthal will be reprising their brilliant Tribute to David Sanborn on Friday, April 11 at the Scottish Rites Cathedral. Mindi Abair and her wine expert husband, Eric Guerra, will conduct a wine tasting at the venue immediately before the show.
Signature Cruise Experiences is the sponsor of the event and the wine reception and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the David Sanborn Fund at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. David’s widow, Alice Soyer Sanborn, will be in attendance and will participate in the show as well. If you have the opportunity to join us for this special show and for the rest of Berks Jazz Fest, by all means do so.
I promised you that I would take this month to detail those jazz events and jazz opportunities that I believe would enhance your knowledge and love of jazz. In thinking about this, my first thought was The Lowdown: Conversations with Christian, Christian McBride’s tour de force weekly show where he spends nearly an hour with an icon of jazz. They talk about their careers, laugh at their pitfalls, perform some live music together and play one of Christian’s quiz games. Those games include identifying musicians from recordings, a sports quiz or other mind-bending event.
The Lowdown is presented on the Real Jazz channel of SiriusXM radio, channel 67. Shows are broadcasted on Saturday mornings, but repeated throughout the week. And, like everything else in the world, you can stream the shows of your choice. About the only things that you cannot stream these days are The Weekender or one of our cruises. Which reminds me, Christian has recorded several of his shows on our cruises. Though not presented live, I have heard those shows being recorded and the on-air broadcasting sounds as live as it can be. Christian’s interview of Houston Person was particularly fun. Having known Houston for 25 years, I am hip to his funny side, which is in stark contrast to his stoic, seemingly standoffish, demeanor on stage.
Like so many of the icons of jazz, Houston takes his role very seriously and believes that the bandstand is for working, not joking. I get it, but it would be wonderful if everyone who loves jazz would be able to see Houston as the loving, caring and warm person that he is. I guess that if you listen to his music, you would know that only a truly kind person could make such beautiful music.
For those of you who are only casual jazz fans, you would love the people who love jazz and the musicians who play that music. Just as it is with Houston, it is difficult to imagine a bad person loving a music genre so beautiful. JAM is our Jam and it has only just begun.
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
Join Christian for his First Ever “Cruise” Lowdown Livestream
Want to learn more about Christian McBride’s World at Sea cruise? Sign up now to join the first ever “Cruise” Lowdown Livestream with Christian McBride on Tuesday, April 29 at 3 PM ET for information about the cruise straight from the host!
Christian will preside over this livestream, share his thoughts, ideas and goals for this amazing cruise and talk about the first-class musicians who will be joining him. Guests will have the opportunity to send in questions and comments which will be answered in real time!
Learn why guests are calling this cruise the best of past programs such as North Sea Jazz Cruise, Playboy Jazz Cruise and Blue Note at Sea cruise. Christian McBride is the only bandleader we know whose ensembles make that boast.
When you add in the warmth, spirit and talents of Christian, you know that something special is about to happen. Join us for “The Cruise Lowdown” livestream on April 29.
Jeff Hamilton Organ Trio’s Coast to Coast
Guests on The Jazz Cruise earlier this year were treated to performances by a new band – the Jeff Hamilton Organ Trio, featuring Jeff with organist Akiko Tsuruga and guitarist Steve Kovalcheck. They’ve just released a new album, Coast to Coast, which is Jeff’s 23rd album as a band leader.
The title comes in part from the bandmembers’ divergent geographic bases – with Akiko coming from NYC, Steve from Colorado and Jeff, of course, based in LA. The three cover some classic organ trio cuts, as well as a few new compositions by Jeff.
“The compatibility of this trio is what reaches the ears,” Jeff told us. “There is a musical friendship of thinking the same way and trusting each other…while tapping your foot.”
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.
Stateroom Availability
Cruise Programs – 2025
| Journey of Jazz | Over 92% Reserved. Balcony Staterooms Available – Special Pricing for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms (Lowest Price Ever – Promo Code: JOURNEY) |
Cruise Programs – 2026
| Homecoming: The Cruise | Open Booking Now; For Special Prices on Staterooms, use Promo Code: HTC |
| Christian McBride’s World at Sea | Open Booking Now; For Special Prices for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms, use Promo Code: CMW |
| The Jazz Cruise ’26 | Open Booking Now |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 | 96% Reserved – Open Booking Now |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 | Fully Reserved |
| Top Shelf Country Cruise | Full Lineup and Itinerary Announced Open Booking Now |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 | 77% Reserved – Open Booking Now |
| Botti at Sea ’26 | Open Booking Now |
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.
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!
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.
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!
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 96% reserved. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 is Fully Reserved, but you may join the Waitlist. Reserve your stateroom today!
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!
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.
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!
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 Shots of the Week
Florida
Tag us @thejazzcruise, @bottiatsea, @thesmoothjazzcruise, #signaturecruiseexperiences and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@scecruises.com.