Jazz Notes: 4.23.25

More Jazz Appreciation Month Insights

As part of the Jazz Appreciation Month celebration, we have shared what many of our musicians believe Jazz Appreciation Month means to them. The responses were fascinating, diverse and insightful. We also challenged our guests to respond as well. Here, too, the celebration emitted strong ideas and feelings.

In this edition of Jazz Notes, we will share comments from many guests. One thing for sure, both our musicians and our guests are passionate about their music. 

We will also share some of our plans for Journey of Jazz ’25, which sails in just over 150 days, some insights into Christian McBride’s World at Sea programming and planning and a reminder of the remaining broadcasts on SXM’s Watercolors of shows from The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.

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Let’s Hear From the Guests

While we were gathering the very best of our musicians’ responses to “What Jazz Appreciation Month Means,” we were receiving, by request, comments and notes from our guests. Here are a few of those messages:

“I have a real appreciation for the beautiful art form that jazz and the individual artists behind each instrument brings to all people regardless of age, gender or race. There’s nothing like actually being on The Smooth Jazz Cruise that continues to play over and over again in my mind until the time for the next sailing dates! To top it off, the opportunity to meet and mingle with the performers offers an extra special connection that lasts forever.”  – Alicia Backus

“Good afternoon! I am a JAZZ MUSIC LOVER to my core! Listening to jazz music ignites my creativity. It soothes my soul. I have been enjoying jazz Music since Pre Kindergarten age. I am 66 years old.

Thank you all for ALL you do in keeping smooth jazz at the forefront of music! Many teenagers are turning to jazz as an effective strategy to manage their emotions. Behavioral health benefits are beyond the horizons in today’s chaos. Thank each one of you. You are seen, heard & felt. Keep making music smooth!”  – Patrice Bradford Wagner 

“My late husband introduced me to jazz. But I must fully disclose, cruising two times with The Jazz Cruise totally hooked me on the absolute joy and meaning of jazz, especially live jazz. Jazz is the musical reflection of life in all its beauty and sometimes chaos. I love knowing that when you hear live jazz, you will never hear it in quite the same way again. I love watching musicians like bassist John Clayton, drummer Pedro Segundo or pianist Emmet Cohen as they play joyfully, feeling and sharing their joy with the other musicians when they perform. I love how many jazz musicians are so open to meeting and talking with their listeners. Jazz has made a huge difference in my life.”  – Ellen Hartline

“Jazz is a focal point in my life. While the music is uplifting and inspirational, it also affords me the opportunity to interact with fellow jazz enthusiasts on The Jazz Cruise, Vail Jazz, Sarasota Jazz Club and Clearwater Jazz. I consider myself to be so fortunate to be a member of this wonderful musical family.”  – Rosemary Heller

“To me music especially jazz takes me into another dimension. When I hear excellent jazz music I float into another planet. I so appreciate all the wonderful jazz musicians and the cruise jazz fest at sea for making available wonderful music.”  – Anonymous

“I first fell in love with jazz in high school, and over the years, that love only deepened and evolved. It was intertwined with my love for my husband—jazz was the constant soundtrack of our life together for 53 years, accompanying us across the U.S. and Europe. It carried us through the highs and lows, supported us through his long and difficult illness, and later became a source of solace in my grief when he passed.

Jazz has always offered both joy and comfort, meeting every emotional need. It sustained me—and so many others—through the isolation of the COVID quarantine. With every live performance, my passion is reignited. There’s a special kind of magic in the way jazz brings artists and fans together, especially on the unforgettable jazz cruises I’ve enjoyed over the past eight years. Those cruises have not only deepened my appreciation for the music but also brought me many dear new friends.”  – Rosemary Dawson

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Journey of Jazz ’25
Legends, Superstars & NEA Jazz Masters

Marcus Miller and Gregory Porter have embraced their roles as “professors” for a week and will be using their talents and great music to tell guests just how jazz was born, nurtured, and is presented today.

Each of the nights of the cruise will feature a theme that commemorates the history of jazz or represents one of jazz’s most important musicians/concepts/ideals:

Night 1:  Marcus Miller’s History of Jazz Program
Night 2:  An Evening with Diana Krall
Night 3:  An Evening with Gregory Porter
Night 4:  NEA Jazz Master Night: Dee Dee Bridgewater & Chucho Valdés
Night 5:  The Big Band is Back: Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
Night 6:  Cécile McLorin Salvant/Gregory Porter’s Great American Songbook
Night 7:  Marcus Miller’s Jazz Going Forward

We cannot recall another “main show” lineup that has the star power of this cruise. Besides Marcus and Gregory, you have NEA Jazz Masters Dee Dee Bridgewater and Chucho Valdés, one of the top young vocalists in jazz in Cécile McLorin Salvant, and the iconic Diana Krall. And what could be more on brand than the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, perhaps the finest big band in the world. The band is led by John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton who just happen to be Ms. Krall’s bandmates, reprising a role they have played for years.

Half of the days are “At Sea” and are filled with music, interviews and shows. Many of those shows expand on our History of Jazz theme, including interviews with sons of famous jazz legends, Ravi Coltrane, Dan Brubeck and Chris Brubeck. We will be highlighting those shows with a “History of Jazz” designation for easy reference.

The other half are docked in either Victoria BC or San Francisco. We have produced our own excursions just for our guests while in port. Speaking of legends and the history of jazz, our show excursion at SFJAZZ features another NEA Jazz Master Ron Carter. Carter was a member of the second Miles Davis Quintet in the mid ’60s, which also included Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and drummer Tony Williams. 

Journey of Jazz ’25 is 92% reserved. A few Concierge Class and Veranda Staterooms remain as well as a group of Inside Staterooms that are priced in the “pocketbook friendly” manner. Promo Code: PORTER

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Christian McBride’s World at Sea
Join Christian for his First Ever
“Cruise” Lowdown Livestream

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Attention: Fans of The Smooth Jazz Cruise

Watercolors is Cruisin’ through Jazz Appreciation Month with Rebroadcasts of Live Performances on The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25!

Our good friends and colleagues at SXM Watercolors are celebrating the heritage of jazz with two full weeks of select live performances recorded aboard The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘25. Shows are aired at 6 PM ET daily.

If you missed the first few shows, go to the Watercolors site and check them out! Trust us, the Kirk Whalum, Brian Culbertson, Boney James, Peter White, Vincent Ingala and Jonathan Butler shows are MORE than worth the effort.

April 17 – Kirk Whalum
April 18 – Brian Culbertson
April 19 – Boney James
April 20 – Peter White
April 21 – Vincent Ingala
April 22 – Jonathan Butler
April 23 – Marcus Anderson 
April 24 – Marqueal Jordan
April 25 – Marcus Miller
April 26 – The Summit: Bob James, Lee Ritenour,
Dave Weckl, Marcus Miller and Patti Austin
April 27 – Eric Darius
April 28 – Mindi Abair followed by Boney & Pete
April 29 – Candy Dulfer
April 30 – All-Star Show: A Tribute to David Sanborn

You do not want to miss the All Star Show tribute to David Sanborn. Aptly scheduled for International Jazz Appreciation Day, many have called this show the best performance in the long history of The Smooth Jazz Cruise!

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Signature Cruise Experiences’ Programs

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