Jazz Appreciation Month: A Tale of Two Stories
When I think about Jazz Appreciation Month, I wonder if that means that we should be proselytizing and advocating to others to appreciate jazz or if this is a call to consider what we appreciate about jazz?
Both are legitimate and worthwhile pursuits.
Trying to share the love of jazz with others has long been a passion of mine. As I have said many times, the trick to creating a jazz fan is to have them attend a live concert of a reasonably accessible small group without a lot of vocals. I want folks to know that vocals can be a component of jazz and that jazz is not simply another set of songs to sing.
Once in the venue, the object is to demystify the music by showing how to take it in rather than trying to dissect it. Walk them through call and response. Point out how each member of the trio or quartet contributes to the tune. Identify the connection and communication that is happening on the bandstand.
When I explain the differences between a pop song and a jazz song, I say that you “listen” to a pop song, but you “embrace” a jazz song. Songs in other genres tend to be constructed along the lines of Intro, Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus, Bridge, Chorus, Outro. A jazz tune has a different structure: Head (main melody), multiple solo choruses, Head.
Most of all, emphasize the musicianship, both in the ability to share the bandstand and the ability to take a turn at a solo.
This leads nicely into the “why I appreciate jazz” interpretation of Jazz Appreciation Month. Before turning philosophical, part of my love of jazz is simply the quality of the musicianship. There are great musicians in all genres, but to be a successful jazz musician, you must master your instrument. There is no other road that works. I admire their dedication, authenticity and commitment to and for their music.
Forced to name one reason why I “appreciate” jazz, I would say that I love the experience. I admire the musicians, feel at home with the patrons, and cannot get enough of the atmosphere of a jazz club. All my senses are alive and operating when I am at a jazz show.
My eyes are on the musicians watching for their signals to the other players. My ears are embracing the music in huge chunks. My foot is tapping and my hands are playing the drums on my leg. As corny as it may sound, I am totally into the music and to the environment.
Jazz makes me feel alive. Like life, it has simple moments and complex moments. There are highs and lows, peaks and valleys. The music can reflect the most joyous times in your life or provide the soundtrack to misery and despair.
Pop songs can be fun. They can be memorable, moving and motivational. People recall events in their lives by the songs that were popular that that time. And, though a live presentation of a pop song is better than a recording, the gap is much less pronounced than with jazz. A jazz tune has layers, depth and context. As I shared above, it is a fully body experience.
I thank my parents for introducing me to jazz and I am grateful every day that I can spend as much time as I do enjoying the music.
Michael Lazaroff
Executive Director
Signature Cruise Experiences
Watercolors is Cruisin’ Through Jazz Appreciation Month
Signature Cruise Experiences is proud to announce that, once again, Watercolors will be celebrating the heritage of jazz with two full weeks of select live performances from some of the top contemporary artists of our time (including Marcus Miller, Boney James, Brian Culbertson and more), recorded aboard The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26. We thank Trinity, Vice President, Music Programming and everyone at Watercolors and SiriusXM for their support and dedication to this amazing music.
Tune in: April 17–30 at 6pm ET daily.
Apr 17: Peter White & Vincent Ingala
Apr 18: Double play: Candy Dulfer followed by Jonathan Butler
Apr 19: Lin Rountree
Apr 20: Boney James
Apr 21: Marcus Miller with special set from Keiko Matsui
Apr 22: Mindi Abair
Apr 23: Peter White
Apr 24: Brian Culbertson
Apr 25: Double play: Nicholas Cole followed by Vincent Ingala
Apr 26: Boney James & Peter White
Apr 27: Marqueal Jordan
Apr 28: Eric Marienthal
Apr 29: Keiko Matsui
Apr 30: International Jazz Day feature: All-Star show “Songs That Inspired Me”
Jazz Keeps Me Young
Michael asked me to write about what I appreciate about jazz. Of course, as a lifelong jazz fan, I love so many aspects of the music and the community that it would be hard to fit them all into this edition of Jazz Notes. But I can certainly say what I appreciate most about jazz. Simply, its diversity.
You’ll struggle to find another music genre that crosses so many lines of race, ethnicity, gender and age. As someone now approaching the tender age of 72, that last aspect particularly resonates with me. Because when I was in my 20s, I was befriended by elder jazz artists such as Dr. Billy Taylor, Jimmy Heath, Benny Golson, Horace Silver, Marian McPartland, Sonny Rollins and so many others. And I was accepted and mentored by people on the business and media side like Orrin Keepnews, Amiri Baraka, Ira Sabin, Leonard Feather, Stanley Dance and Bruce Lundvall. Now, I’m an elder jazz cat and I get to hang and be inspired by younger artists and professionals who appreciate my friendship and support. They keep me young (or at least feeling young). They keep me alive. I appreciate that.
Lee Mergner
Jazz Consultant
SCE Artists on Jazz
In celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, we asked 30 artists who sail on our programs what jazz means to them. We’ll be posting a new one every day in April. You can read each artist’s entire essay in the link below.
– Lee Mergner
“Jazz is a music that invites communication and storytelling into the present moment, and gives the people playing it and the listeners a new experience every time, where anything is possible.”
– Taylor Eigsti
“Jazz is improvisation with your soul attached to it.”
– John Clayton
“Jazz means freedom of expression and interpretation. It’s my balance and my grounding secret.”
– Ada Rovatti
“Jazz is a living expression of freedom, connection, and truth.”
– Emmet Cohen
“For me it’s the creativity of the music and the musicians. Jazz to me is peace, fascination and creativity.”
– Alonzo Bodden
“Jazz is a way of life for me. It’s something that brings me a lot of joy and I’m grateful and fortunate to have met and spent time with some incredible people through this music.”
– Nicki Parrott
“Jazz is special because it is a direct link from human emotion to sound.”
– Shelly Berg
Livestream Events
Journey of Jazz ’27 Livestream
4.23.26 / 4 PM ET
Join us for a special livestream on April 23 at 4 PM ET to explore the Journey of Jazz. We’ll showcase our incredible lineup of world-class jazz artists, explore exciting ports of call, and uncover unforgettable shore excursions to experience the best of the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans! Don’t miss this chance to learn more about the Journey of Jazz.
Chris Botti at Sea III Livestream
4.23.26 / 7PM ET
Join us for a special livestream on April 23 at 7 PM ET to learn more about the Perfect Cruise Experience on Botti at Sea III. Get an inside look at our exciting lineup of world-class talent, explore the beautiful ports of call and discover the unforgettable shore excursions that make this year’s sailing truly special. Don’t miss this opportunity to see what makes Botti at Sea III so exceptional.
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Livestream
5.14.26 / 4 PM ET
Join us for the David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Livestream to meet the lineup, including exciting new additions, learn about the ports, get the details about events performances and learn why one sailing is never enough!
Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs
SCE Sailings in ’27
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3
9.11.26 – 9.18.26
34th Sailing of “The Greatest Party at Sea”
Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3, which departs from Vancouver on 9.11.26 and sails to Victoria, BC and San Francisco, before terminating in Los Angeles on 9.18.26 is fully reserved. If you wish to try to join the cruise, go to the website and JOIN WAITLIST for any stateroom category you wish. All cancellations for this cruise will be filled from the waitlist.
Botti at Sea III (’26)
9.18.26 – 9.25.26
The West Coast Edition – The Perfect Music Experience
When The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 docks in Los Angeles, we will turn around and head back to Vancouver (via San Francisco and Victoria BC) under the guidance of superstar Chris Botti. Chris Botti at Sea III will be the perfect combination of a topflight music cruise and exciting excursions.
Joining Chris on the cruise are several icons of the world of music: Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs, Melody Gardot, Peabo Bryson, Regina Belle and many others. When in San Francisco, guests may take winery tours in Napa and Sonoma, spend the day on the Napa Valley Wine Train, sample the finest cuisine in San Francisco and much more.
Another menu of excursions awaits guests when the cruise docks in Victoria, BC. Trust us, this is the perfect music experience!
SCE Sailings in ’27
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’27
1.12.27 – 1.17.27
Stay Tuned for the Lineup and Detail
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’26 (Foster ’26) was a runaway hit program. From the first note to the last song, the brilliance of David Foster was evident in every show and event.
As outlined above, the lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore Sailing ’27 includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Leslie Odom Jr., Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.
Foster ’26 Guests had the exclusive opportunity to rebook their staterooms through April 10. Pre-Sail Reservations holders are currently able to select a stateroom and complete their reservation. There is still time to complete a Pre-Sail Reservation (no deposit or obligation required) on the website here.
The Jazz Cruise ’27
1.17.27 – 1.24.27
Still the Greatest Jazz Festival at Sea
The Jazz Cruise is the first program that Signature Cruise Experiences ever produced. Since its first sailing in 2001, The Jazz Cruise has been the world leader in presenting “straight ahead” jazz at sea.
The Jazz Cruise has reached “fully reserved” every year it has sailed and The Jazz Cruise ’27 is on its way to reaching that goal again. Open Booking began on February 24, 2026 and the cruise is nearly 80% reserved.
Journey of Jazz ’27
1.24.27 – 1.31.27
Now in Open Booking
Journey of Jazz ’27 will be an amazing cruise program featuring hosts Marcus Miller and Gregory Porter, a full lineup of great musicians and vocalists, a special two days in New Orleans which features Wynton Marsalis and a group of his hand-picked musicians.
In its second season Journey of Jazz proudly combines the very best music with opportunities to live the jazz life and learn more about the history of jazz. As an example, Journey of Jazz ’27 will present Ledisi as a main show performer on the ship. In keeping with the theme of the cruise, Ledisi will perform her universally beloved Tribute to Dinah (Washington) program.
Journey of Jazz ’27 is in Open Booking.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise
’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)
The Greatest Party at Sea presents its customary back to back weeklong programs in the Caribbean. Tampa is the port of embarkation and disembarkation for the first time and both sailings will call on Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.
The star studded lineup is led by hosts Marcus Miller and Boney James and features Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer, Kirk Whalum, Peter White and more.
Both sailings are in “Open Booking” and both are 90% reserved at this time.
Botti at Sea IV (’27)
10.6.27 – 10.13.27
Chris Botti Takes His Cruise from Boston to Quebec
A Canadian itinerary in the Fall is one of the most popular cruise itineraries in the industry. Fall colors, beautiful scenery, hands on adventures in famous ports-of-call. If nothing else was taking place on the ship, a cruise with these features would be in high demand. So, when Chris Botti decided to take his amazing cruise program from Boston to Quebec City, with a full complement of the entertainers and performers that you have grown to love and expect, not only was he gilding the lily, but he was creating one of the top music cruise experiences ever offered.
Stay tuned for more programming and reservation procedure details. As is always the case on a Signature Cruise Experiences program, guests on Botti at Sea III (’26) (’26 Guests) will be able to rebook their current staterooms and those who are not ’26 Guests will be eligible to submit a Pre-Sail Reservation which will establish their stateroom selection priority after the ’26 Guests complete their rebooking procedure.
Look for most of this to happen around 8.15.26!
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3
10.13.27 – 10.20.27
This program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events.
The exclusive rebooking window for guests of The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 closed on March 31, 2026. Guests who completed a Pre-Sail Reservation are now beginning to select their stateroom and complete their reservation.
Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom, begins April 16, 2026.