Our Take: A Few Days in the Big Apple

I’m home from a few days in New York City. I know that New Orleans is the epicenter of jazz, but when I am in NYC, I feel the jazz vibe more than anywhere else. Most of the trip related to the business of Signature Cruise Experiences, but there were several jazz connections along the way.

Upon arriving, Paula and I went directly to Woodlawn Cemetery Conservancy for the internment of Ken Peplowski. There is a more joyous celebration of his life next Tuesday at Saint Peter’s Church, one that features music and stories about Ken presented by his closest friends and colleagues. Lee Mergner wrote more and shared details on that celebration in our recent edition of Jazz Notes. Click HERE to read more.

I’m home from a few days in New York City. I know that New Orleans is the epicenter of jazz, but when I am in NYC, I feel the jazz vibe more than anywhere else. Most of the trip related to the business of Signature Cruise Experiences, but there were several jazz connections along the way.

Upon arriving, Paula and I went directly to Woodlawn Cemetery Conservancy for the internment of Ken Peplowski. There is a more joyous celebration of his life next Tuesday at Saint Peter’s Church, one that features music and stories about Ken presented by his closest friends and colleagues. Lee Mergner wrote more and shared details on that celebration in our recent edition of Jazz Notes. Click HERE to read more.

My other Piz memory was not as joyful. Upon learning of Ken’s death on the ship, John, Shelly Berg and I gathered in the SCE onboard office to sort out what we needed to do, such as who we should notify, what to do with his instruments and belongings and, of course, what to say to the passengers.

We learned that Pamela was Ken’s emergency contact by checking his phone. We contacted Pamela within an hour of his passing and began a process of settling matters for Ken that continues today. Ken’s death created his last “performance group.” Not as large as a Big Band, but certainly more than a quartet. Let’s call it an octet with some special guests from time to time.

The ceremony was free flowing. Everyone shared stories about Ken, most of them centering on his sense of humor, ability to play almost any tune and his penchant for being sloppy with respect to his apartment or hotel room. No one knew how, or when, to stop, as if lingering there would keep Ken “alive” that much longer. Due to other scheduled obligations, we were the first to leave and I do not know how long the others stayed.

The weather that day was glorious. Sunshine. Blue Skies. Slight breeze. Woodlawn is aptly named; the grass was immaculate and lush. Ken’s final resting place is atop a hill with a panoramic view. Very regal.

Being buried at Woodlawn was one of Ken’s directives and requests. The man who inherited the mantle of being Benny Goodman’s heir shares his resting place with Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Lionel Hampton and many other jazz stars. A fitting tribute.

The next night, after a day of doing business and answering business-type questions with young businesspeople speaking in terms and abbreviations that I did not know, we had the pleasure of having dinner with Emmet Cohen and his girlfriend, JoJo Levesque. Dinner was delightful, despite the ironic and bothersome sounds of a lounge pianist pounding the keys and producing what some people would call music.

Emmet was very polite throughout, though I did catch a wince or two. Now that I think about it, Emmet’s famous ravenous appetite seemed curbed. Bad music will do that. JoJo was on her way to a rehearsal for Chess, a Broadway show in which she will star for most of the summer. After our dinner, Emmet joined her at the theater to escort her to their new home.  

When I first met Emmet, he was the star of the Frost School of Music jazz band performing on our ship during the T-Shirt party. Now, he is an Internationally known jazz musician with an enormous following living the A-List life in New York City. I feel like a very proud uncle or older brother, though my age could qualify me as his very young grandfather!

Like most trips I take, particularly business trips, the best part was when it was “wheels up.” No trip, no matter how wonderful, lasts forever. That the days were fulfilling and all that was expected or anticipated was achieved is the measure. Acknowledging and feeling good about the end is not as much about the joy of going home as it is about feeling satisfied that you accomplished your goals.

I feel that way when any of our cruises end. Sad that it is over, but ebullient that It went well. At current count, our team has shared that feeling more than 100 times over 25+ years.

By Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Chris Botti 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.

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On-Demand! David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’27 Livestream

If you missed the livestream even this past week or just want to watch again, the recording is now available on-demand online!

This livestream features an exclusive insider’s look at the world-class music, luxury travel and once-in-a-lifetime experiences our Guests will experience aboard David Foster: The Hitman Cruise. 

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June Jazz Festivals in the U.S.

As the summer comes upon us, so too does jazz festival season. You’ll find many of our (and your) favorite artists performing at festivals all over the world. Below are listings for jazz festivals happening in the U.S. during June. We’ll feature international festivals in the next edition of The Weekender.

Lee Mergner
Jazz Consultant

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Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

SCE Sailings in ’27

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SCE Sailings in ’27

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