Jazz Notes: 4.30.25

Today is International Jazz Day (IJD). Kind of the New Year’s Eve of Jazz. Everyone around the world will be celebrating our music. Signature Cruise Experiences is always active on this day, but the ’25 edition of IJD for us is particularly active.
 

• As our Jazz Advisor Lee Mergner reports below, a significant number of musicians scheduled to perform on our cruises are participating in the primary celebration in Abu Dhabi.
• The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25’s Tribute to David Sanborn will be aired on SXM’S Watercolors (Channel 66) today at 6PM ET in its entirety. As we have shared before, this show, produced by Marcus Miller and Eric Marienthal may be the best event in the 20+ history of that cruise.
• While Christian McBride shared this information yesterday during his Livestream, today is the official announcement that Samara Joy will be joining Ledisi, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Angelique Kidjo and Melissa Walker on Christian McBride’s World at Sea Cruise, forming one of the most exciting gatherings of female jazz vocalists ever presented on our programs.
• Journey of Jazz ’25, which sails in 143 days, will be sharing more information about the amazing excursions being offered on this West Coast jazz cruise gem.
• The Chris Botti at Sea Cruise III (’26) provides some hints as to the remainder of its lineup as well as its plans for excursions when this program sails in Fall ’26 from Los Angeles to Vancouver, with calls on San Francisco and Victoria
  

Like we said at the top, Signature Cruise Experiences is busy today bringing the very best music experiences to the greatest jazz fans in the world. 

Enjoy the day!

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The Global Celebration of International Jazz Day ’25 Culminates in Abu Dhabi

The ’25 edition of International Jazz Day will be celebrated in more than 190 countries today, with Abu Dhabi serving as the Global Host City. Organized by UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, this celebration will include an all-star concert there in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, hosted by actor Jeremy Irons and featuring artists from all over the world, including Hancock, John McLauglin, Nils Landgren, Danilo Perez, Tomoaki Baba, Oran Etkin and many others. Signature Cruise Experiences will be well represented by Marcus Miller, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling, Emmet Cohen, Dianne Reeves, Arturo Sandoval, John Pizzarelli, Kenny Barron, Jose James, Etienne Charles, Janis Siegel, Kendrick Scott and John Beasley (who serves as the musical director).
 
“We are thrilled to celebrate this International day on a high note in the UNESCO Creative City of Music Abu Dhabi,” said Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General. “This edition will highlight the city’s rich tapestry of creativity and cultural heritage while showcasing jazz’s ability to connect communities and promote dialogue and peace across continents.”

The concert will be streamed live to millions around the world via UNTV, UNESCO, jazzday.com, Facebook, YouTube and other international media partners. You can watch it starting at 4PM ET on YouTube here.

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Final Jazz Appreciation Month Insights from Signature Cruise Experiences

The title of this section of Jazz Notes would indicate that I am about to provide “insights” into the celebration of jazz that has occurred during Jazz Appreciation Month. “Insights” implies some type of wisdom or special thoughts. As those who have read Jazz Notes and The Weekender over the years know, I have neither. 
 
Once in a while I may have something to say that gives you pause or makes you think, but, as we all know, even a broken clock is right twice a day. So, as I sit at the watchmaker’s shop, as the embodiment of a broken clock, I do offer one “insight” to consider.
 
John Lennon’s tune, “Imagine,” is one of the most thought-provoking songs ever composed. Often, when I am pondering something, I will “imagine” if that idea did not exist or if a contrary idea prevailed. Imagining broadens our minds and opens us up to stunning possibilities and frightening “what-ifs.”.
 
For the moment, let’s imagine that funding for the arts disappeared entirely. No NPR. No NEA. No Kennedy Center. Every art form would need to survive in a commercially sound manner. In short, the income would need to match the expenses.
 
We have already seen the erosion of “arts” in the schools due to lack of funding, but I am talking about a nationwide shutdown of government support for music, art, dance and more. I will skip over the political dynamics that impact this situation as it is not my place to comment on those issues, but, as a concept standing alone, I fear for a society that does not support and encourage pursuit of the arts.

Two music people that I respect believe that April ’25 may be the final Jazz Appreciation Month. To the extent that federal funds are required to make the day happen, losing that funding, without significant private contributions taking its place, this somber prediction may become reality.
 
Imagine there’s no music.
Imagine there’s no art.
Imagine there’s no jazz.
I don’t know where to start.
 
Michael Lazaroff,
Executive Director
Signature Cruise Experiences

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Samara Joy Joins Ledisi, Cecile McLorin Salvant & Jose James
as Vocalists on Christian McBride’s World at Sea

We’re excited to add Samara Joy to the already impressive lineup of vocalists performing on McBride’s World at Sea. Samara, who sailed on The Jazz Cruise in 2024, joins a stellar list of gifted singers who will perform with Christian and his big band, including Cècile McLorin Salvant, Angelique Kidjo, Ledisi, Jose James, and Melissa Walker. The number of GRAMMY® nominations and wins that those artists have cumulatively received is well into double figures. Several of them recorded with Christian and his Big Band on his upcoming album, which we expect will receive yet another GRAMMY® nomination for Christian, who has won that prestigious award a remarkable nine times. 
 
Baseball fans may start comparing us with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who, even after winning a World Series, kept adding all-stars to their roster. Although our St. Louis office is filled with Cardinals’ fans, we’re fine with that comparison because we’re committed to presenting a winning team of artists on McBride’s World at Sea.

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Cruise News:
Lineup Update & Special Excursions

With Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs and Melody Gardot confirmed for the September 18 – 25, 2026 Sailing of Botti at Sea III, we have been carefully considering whom we should add to this star-studded lineup. Chris always brings a vast array of talented band members and we understand that they will be coming back for our first ever West Coast sailing of this amazing program.
 
Embarking from Los Angeles, the cruise goes to San Francisco and Victoria BC before disembarking in Vancouver, BC. Signature Cruise Experiences has created a series of amazing excursions while we are in San Francisco and Victoria. Since we arrive in San Francisco at 8AM on September 22 and remain docked until 6PM on September 23, guests have two full days to enjoy planned trips to Napa and Sonoma, take in a private show at SFJAZZ or enjoy one of Michael Bauer’s selections of restaurants for brunch, lunch or dinner (note: Since we depart at 6PM on September 23, dinner options are limited to September 22).
 
The cruise sails in just over 500 days, so you have some time to arrange your calendar, but do not wait too long…a ton of staterooms are already reserved.

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Signature Cruise Experiences’ Programs

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