For whatever re
ason, this week has been dedicated to the music of Al Jarreau. Whether I am streaming or playing CDs (remember those?), it is all Al, all the time. Halfway through the third time I was listening to his rendition of “Take Five,” the Dave Brubeck hit written by saxophonist Paul Desmond, I concluded that Al Jarreau was rapping before there was rap!
Check out Al’s “Take Five.” Awesome, right? You bet! I am not one who considers Al Jarreau a great singer in the traditional sense, but I will fight to the death anyone who does not consider him to be a genius when it comes to performing. There is always a gap between the live performance and the recording. In some cases, the gap is not that large and, most of the time, that means that the singer has a great voice, but little to add as a stage performer. I will not name names, because the last time I did this Michael Buble’s manager called me and yelled at me. No names this time.
Al Jarreau had some great tunes. “We’re in the Love Together” and “Mornin’” come to mind. But when his name enters my mind, rarely does a song share that moment. Instead, I see him on stage moving and grooving to the music, tipping his hat and, of course, smiling ear to ear. He had the agility and grace of a dancer. You could not take your eyes off him for fear of missing a wink or a nod. His onstage cherubic demeanor was the real thing. He could not have been nicer each time I had the honor of being with him.
Signature Cruise Experiences had the privilege of presenting him twice on the cruises and the very sad experience of being the first performance cancelled due to his death. He was ailing somewhat during his second appearance on our cruise. I looked in on him backstage to make sure he was doing okay between sets. He was applying heat to his neck to relax his vocal cords. Obviously uncomfortable, he smiled at me and chatted it up while continuing to warm his throat. I did not know if it were ruder to leave him alone or stay and pretend that all was fine. His road manager was not available, so I elected to stay.
Back to rapping. At the risk of being lambasted, to me rapping is scatting with words rather than sounds. Al did both. I am not sure that there is a male vocalist who scatted as well, or as often, as Al Jarreau. Just as the memory of his songs is foggy to me, the recollection of his scatting, and, dare I say, rapping is clear. Each of us has a default image of folks we know that picture that pops in your head when their name is called. Al Jarreau = Scatting.
Al Jarreau was one of a kind. You cannot name anyone before or after him that could be part of that legacy or thread. The world of rappers should consider embracing this observation, if for no other reason than to provide a basis for understanding their genre using a person with broad appeal. When Frank Sinatra sang a duet with Elvis Presley, two seemingly opposite worlds found a path to some degree of mutual understanding.
I believe that Al Jarreau would have embraced the notion of bringing folks together through music. He seemed to be that kind of guy.
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, Top Shelf Country Cruise and The Yacht Rock Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com.
Sullivan Fortner Trio’s Leave That In There
The GRAMMY® Award-winning Sullivan Fortner, who has performed on numerous jazz cruises with us as both a solo artist and as the accompanist to Cècile McLorin Salvant, has just released Leave That In There, his long-awaited album featuring his trio of Tyrone Allen (bass) and Kayvon Gordon (drums).
The recording features Sullivan playing not only the acoustic piano, but also the organ and electric keyboards on a dozen original compositions and one cover. Raised in New Orleans, Sullivan draws on the landscapes of the Gulf South – cultural, musical and historical.
Donald Vega’s Play It Forward
Donald Vega, another pianist who has sailed with us several times, has released Play It Forward, an album that celebrates mentorship and the ways musicians share stories, traditions and wisdom across generations. “The power of mentorship goes beyond developing musically,” Donald explains. “It gave me community, a sense of belonging and wisdom so much needed in my youth.” The album features his Latin jazz sextet with percussionist Carly Maldonado, bassist Raul Reyes, drummer Pete Van Nostrand, trumpeter Brandon Lee and saxophonist David DeJesus.
Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs
SCE Sailings in ’26
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3
9.11.26 – 9.18.26
Vancouver – Victoria – San Francisco – Los Angeles
34th Sailing of the Greatest Party at Sea
From 9.11.26 – 9.18.26, The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 will sail from Vancouver to Los Angeles. The cruise features the very best “smooth jazz” musicians and bands in the world.
This sailing has been Fully Reserved for months, but last-minute cancellations have freed up a few staterooms. If you are interested, click the button below or visit www.thesmoothjazzcruise.com for more information.
Botti at Sea ’26
9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Los Angeles – San Francisco – Victoria – Vancouver
Sail Now / Pay Later
In addition to the recently announced Josh Groban, joining Chris on the cruise are several music icons: Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs and Melody Gardot 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!
David Foster at Sea
1.12.27 – 1.17.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Costa Maya – Tampa
It’s Your Music!
The ’26 David Foster cruise was a runaway hit. From the first note to the last song, the brilliance of David Foster was evident in every show and event.
The star-studded lineup for David Foster at Sea 27 includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Leslie Odom Jr., Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.
The Jazz Cruise ’27
1.17.27 – 1.24.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Belize – Costa Maya – Tampa
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 near that goal again (over 88% Reserved).
Journey of Jazz ’27
1.24.27 – 1.31.27
Tampa – New Orleans – Progreso – Tampa
Cruising to the Birthplace of Jazz
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.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise
’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
Tampa – Ocho Rios – Grand Cayman – Tampa
’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)
Tampa – Grand Cayman – Ocho Rios – Tampa
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.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.1 is in Open Booking and more than 98% reserved at this time.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.2 is Fully Reserved, but, for those who have been pining for the Penthouse Suite on this sailing, one recently became available. To paraphrase a Seals & Crofts tune, “(This) May Never Pass This Way Again”! Go to the website to claim the Penthouse Suite or click JOIN WAITLIST for any other stateroom category you wish.
The Yacht Rock Cruise
9.12.27 – 9.18.27
Vancouver – Victoria – San Francisco – Los Angeles
In Open Booking! Reservations Going Fast!
The music. The lifestyle. The soundtrack to good times. The Yacht Rock Cruise is bringing it all to sea for the very first time, with an extraordinary lineup, immersive experiences and world-class production.
Our inaugural voyage features Kenny Loggins, Boz Scaggs, Little River Band, Yacht Rock Revue, Ray Parker, Jr. and Captain Adam, the voice of Yacht Rock Radio.
The Yacht Rock Cruise is in now in Open Booking, meaning anyone may reserve any available stateroom. As the headline suggests, reservations are going fast
Botti at Sea ’27
10.6.27 – 10.13.27
Boston – Portland – Saint John – Sydney – Charlottetown – Quebec City
Chris Botti Takes His Cruise from Boston to Canada
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 to be announced next week. 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.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3
10.13.27 – 10.20.27
Quebec City – Charlottetown – Sydney – Saint John – Portland – Boston
The Smooth Jazz Cruise Heads to Canada in the Fall
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3 program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events. Marcus Miller, Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer and others will lead the team for another edition of this iconic program.
This cruise is currently in Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.