Soon, it will be the 10th Anniversary of The Weekender, signifying over 500 editions of “Your Saturday Morning Jazz Fix.” Jazz Notes is its little brother, having come on the scene just over five years ago. When we first started, Jazz Notes was meant to complement The Weekender by sharing insights about musicians and other jazz-related topics. Clearly, the two newsletters overlap from time to time, though The Weekender retains its original conversational style and Jazz Notes has the Jack Webb “just the facts” approach.
In keeping with that framework, here are some jazz cruise facts for you to consider:
- Ken Peplowski was interned at Woodlawn Cemetery Conservancy in a private ceremony yesterday, May 12. Ken’s resting place is within a special portion of the cemetery dedicated to jazz musicians. Signature Cruise Experiences was honored to fund that ceremony and both Paula and I were privileged to attend.
- The Memorial Service/Concert for Ken Peplowski will be held in St. Peter’s Cathedral on Tuesday, May 19. See Lee Mergner’s note with the details. We thank Lee for his participation in the event, including the creation of a memorial slide show. Unfortunately, I will not be able to share in that celebration.
- Fans of The Smooth Jazz Cruise, please know that The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 is fully reserved and The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.1 and ’27.2 have very limited availability. SJC ’27.1 does have a few Veranda and Concierge Staterooms remaining, but other than that, the inventory is Ocean View and Inside Staterooms only. SJC ’27.2 has fewer than 25 staterooms available, all of which are Ocean View and Inside Staterooms.
- The 2026 NEA Jazz Masters tribute concert is being rescheduled for fall 2026, featuring honorees Rhonda Hamilton, Carmen Lundy, Airto Moreira and Patrice Rushen.
- Though they are not pure jazz programs, both Botti at Sea III and David Foster: The Hitman Cruise offer top of the line entertainment presented by some of the most famous names in music. Keep checking your emails for a special offer to all our jazz fans to join hosts Chris Botti and/or David Foster for an amazing event.
- Did you know that you can nominate an artist for an NEA Jazz Master Award? Submit your nominee here: https://www.arts.gov/honors/jazz/make-nomination-nea-jazz-masters
One of our goals with both The Weekender and Jazz Notes is to be a billboard for jazz events, new recordings and more. We are committed to presenting any information that you may wish to share under the following terms:
- The subject must be of the highest caliber and likely to be of interest to a significant number of our readers.
- Though the subject may be of a commercial nature, it must also reflect the artistic or educational goals of our messaging.
- Requests for publication must include hi-res art accompanying the text. Even in the jazz world, one picture is worth 1,000 words.
Submit any material directly to Lee Mergner at lee@scecruises.com. Materials will be edited to fit available space and the SCE voice.
Ken Peplowski’s Celebration of Life
As Michael mentioned above, the memorial service for Ken Peplowski will be held at Saint Peter’s Church in NYC on Tuesday, May 19 with doors opening at 5 PM ET. For those in town at that time, admission is free, but seating is limited. Anyone wishing to attend in person needs to reserve their seats through an EventBrite page HERE. For the many jazz fans and friends of Ken who are unable to attend in person, the event will be streamed on Saint Peter’s YouTube page HERE.
This celebration of Ken’s life features both personal remembrances and musical performances from his friends and colleagues. Among the artists participating in the event are several longtime favorites of The Jazz Cruise guests, including John Pizzarelli & Jessica Molaskey, Catherine Russell, Shelly Berg, Tierney Sutton, Paquito D’Rivera, Matt Wilson, Martin Wind and Ted Rosenthal.
In addition, as a prelude to the service, I put together a photo slideshow of almost 150 photos contributed by a few dozen of Ken’s friends and family. The photos depict Ken with many of the people in his life – family, friends, fans and fellow musicians. You can view that 9-minute video HERE.
Lee Mergner
Jazz Consultant
Tomorrow!
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore Livestream
5.14.26 / 4PM ET
Join us for the David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Livestream on May 14 at 4PM ET 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!
Jazz Cruises Conversations’ Podcast
The latest episode of the Jazz Cruises Conversations Podcast features a session from The Jazz Cruise earlier this year in which old friends John Pizzarelli and Jeff Hamilton share the kind of conversation that could only happen when two people have shared enough bandstands to stop performing for each other. No moderator was necessary.
Jeff takes you back to his first night playing with Oscar Peterson, the Ray Brown philosophy of career preparation and what it actually takes to pack a bag when you’ve been on the road since 1974. John traces his unlikely path to singing back to a Nat King Cole reissue, a last-minute Stash Records session, and a father who never missed a teaching moment — even when the lesson arrived as a one-liner. Stories about Bucky, Paul McCartney, James Taylor and the future of straight-ahead jazz fill out the second half with audience questions that are as good as the answers.
Emmet Cohen’s Artistry Masterclass
“Emmet’s Place Live: An Artistry Masterclass” is a free online conversation with pianist Emmet Cohen about what it means to build a life in music today. Drawing on his experiences with Emmet’s Place, touring, collaboration, mentorship and community-building, Emmet will reflect on the artistic, personal and practical lessons that have shaped his path. The session will explore questions of voice, purpose, audience connection and how musicians can create lives around the music they love with greater clarity and intention. The session takes place today, Wednesday, May 13 at 3PM ET and anyone can sign up for free.
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.
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.
This cruise is now in Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.
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 nearly 95% 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
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3 program will feature an exciting combination of our customary great music, vibrant Fall colors and other special events.
This cruise is currently in Open Booking, during which anyone may reserve any available stateroom.