In a few hours, the 2025 Kentucky Derby will be run. They call it the most exciting two minutes in sports, which is fascinating since only one horse, Secretariat, the clear G.O.A.T. of horse racing, has ever completed the race in two minutes or less. 20 horses are scheduled to run the race which is considerably more than will run in the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, the remaining legs of horse racing’s Triple Crown. The Kentucky Derby always has the largest field as both “hope springs eternal” and, once the field is more than 12, others feel the “anything can happen” fever.
Nowadays, horses are bred and trained specifically for the shorter distance of The Preakness and the longer route of the Belmont Stakes. Optimism wanes as the races move on which reduces the fields considerably. Famously, only four horses competed against Secretariat as he captured the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown.
I know what you are thinking…when will he stop horsing around and talk about jazz. I had no idea that he was a racetrack junkie. Well, I am not a horse racing fan. Actually, I am afraid of horses and do not understand why people wait around for 30 – 45 minutes between races and wager money on animals they do not know and on jockeys they have never met.
In high school, my friends and I went to a local racetrack, snuck in with fake I.D.’s and bet on a horse called Oklahoma Miss. The bet was prompted by a lowlife we called Shooter who told us “the only way this horse loses is if he dies.” Shooter was dead on! The horse died somewhere in the back stretch. Too much “energy” was the proclaimed cause of death.
Heading for home, it is time to “shoe” horn in a jazz analogy. Just like the Kentucky Derby, lots of musicians with high hopes begin careers in jazz. They train. They workout. They have handlers and teachers. Then they play in small clubs, just like the horses run in small races. Finally, one day they have a chance to show their stuff and complete with the other young musicians who have been groomed and trained the same way. The results are always the same. There is one winner, a handful of others who showed well and a larger group of also-rans.
When it is time for the next race, The Preakness for horses, another festival or concert for the musicians, the cadre of those who did well before gather and a couple new guys are added, guys who are specialists and have trained just for this event. Finally, when you get to the big time, the Belmont Stakes or Carnegie Hall, the many have become the few. There may be a ringer or two, but, for the most part, this battle of attrition leads to one winner.
Becoming a top jazz musician is a long and difficult road. You have to fight and scrape every inch of the way. Yes, there is some luck involved, but without talent and hard work, luck will never be enough. Like I said above, I know little about horses, so I cannot discern the gleam in their eyes or the detect the burning in their hearts, but I can detect those feelings when I watch a young musician soaking up the chops of a true star. I have joked that if you wanted to have a gathering of pianists on one of our cruises, all you need to do is schedule a Brad Mehldau gig. We have to issue special talent passes when Michael McDonald sings or when Lewis Nash/Herlin Riley/Jeff Hamilton square off.
In horse racing, getting to the top is winning the Triple Crown. In jazz, it may be induction as a NEA Jazz Master. The path to that glory is the same. Many start out trying. Very few succeed.
By Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Chris Botti at Sea, Christian McBride’s World 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.
Ben Williams’ Between Church and State
A veteran of several of our cruise programs, including Botti at Sea and Blue Note at Sea, Ben Williams has just released Between Church and State, a new album in which he addresses social issues. On this follow-up to his I Am a Man recording, the bassist (who has performed or recorded with Pat Metheny, George Benson, David Sanborn, Wynton Marsalis, Robert Glasper, and Jose James) explores his family history, on both sides, and discovers the rich legacy of activism from the pulpit of the Black church to the halls of Congress (and a connection to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.). While telling his own story, he unpacks not only his personal experience as a Black man, but also explores broader issues such as spirituality, addiction/escapism, police brutality, anxiety, and afro-futurism. His fourth album as a leader, Between Church & State features Ben on upright and electric bass, as well as vocals, backed by a band of Justin Brown (drums), Brandon Coleman (keyboards), Hailey Niswanger (sax, flute, bass clarinet), Sasha Berliner (vibraphone), and Andrew Renfroe (guitar). Among Ben’s special guests on the recording are Kamasi Washington, Chief Adjuah, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Sy Smith, and Keyon Harrold.
Where’s Alonzo?
Our comedian-in-residence Alonzo Bodden has some big shows coming up this month and next. On May 8-9, he’ll be appearing at the prestigious Halifax Comedy Festival up in Canada. On June 6-7, he’ll hold forth at the Comedy Bar in Toronto, followed by a show on June 8 at the Paramount Theatre in Thunder Bay. Alonzo promises that all the shows in Canada will be tariff-free. During June 16-22, Alonzo will be in residence at the Cellar Comedy Club at the Rio in Las Vegas. And, as always, keep an ear out for him on the popular NPR show, Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!, on which he frequently appears as a panelist, offering up his informed and witty takes on current events.
Music Legend Hosts a 5 Day/5 Night Super Cruise
featuring Michael McDonald and Babyface
Numbers can often tell the story. David Foster has 47 GRAMMY® nominations and 16 GRAMMY® Awards, including three awards for “Producer of the Year.” He has been inducted in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, enshrined in both Canada’s and Hollywood’s Walk of Fame nominated three times for an Academy Award (Oscar) and won a Golden Globe.
His collaborations with vocalists and bands is extraordinary, creating hit songs and successful albums for Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, Michael Bolton, Seal, Chaka Khan, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Chicago, Hall & Oates, Brandy, ’N Sync, Boz Scaggs and Gloria Estefan.
Now, after two wonderful stints as a guest performer on our Chris Botti at Sea cruise, we are proud to announce that David Foster will be the host of our newest cruise program, David Foster, the Hitman Cruise. This five day / five night super cruise will sail from Ft. Lauderdale on Celebrity Summit from January 15 – 20, 2026.
Joining David for this amazing event are Michael McDonald, Babyface, Peter Cincotti, Take 6, Pia Toscano and, of course, Katharine McPhee. More performers to be added soon.
Michael McDonald was recently a co-host with Patti LaBelle on a 4 day cruise that bore their names. Signature Cruise Experiences’ guests have begged for another top sailing that was fewer than a week. David Foster: The Hitman Cruise fills that request.
This cruise will be the first sailing on a Signature Cruise Experiences’ program for both Babyface and Pia Toscano. Peter Cincotti and Katharine McPhee have sailed with us before and Take 6 has been on our cruise programs six times.
For more information, and to complete a Pre-Sail Reservation ahead of the open booking rush, go to the David Foster: The Hitman Cruise website and follow the prompts. As of yesterday, nearly 800 Pre-Sail Reservations have been completed, so act now.
Stateroom Availability
Cruise Programs – 2025
| Journey of Jazz | Over 92% Reserved. Balcony Staterooms Available – Special Pricing for Remaining Staterooms |
Cruise Programs – 2026
| David Foster: The Hitman Cruise | Pre-Sail Registration Now Open! |
| Christian McBride’s World at Sea | Open Booking Now; For Special Prices for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms, use Promo Code: CMW |
| The Jazz Cruise ’26 | Open Booking Now |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 | 98% Reserved – Open Booking Now |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 | Fully Reserved |
| Top Shelf Country Cruise | Full Lineup and Itinerary Announced Open Booking Now |
| The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 | 77% Reserved – Open Booking Now |
| Botti at Sea ’26 | Open Booking Now |
Signature Cruise Experiences’ Programs
JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’25
Limited Time Promotional Pricing
The cruise is more than 92% reserved! The remaining staterooms consist, mainly, of Veranda Staterooms, Inside Staterooms and Single Inside Staterooms!
These remaining staterooms are favorably priced through May 15, 2025(*). Please use the promo code: PORTER. There is no obligation to complete a reservation once you learn the prices.
*New reservations only.
DAVID FOSTER: THE HITMAN CRUISE
Pre-Sail Registration Now Open!
Join us aboard the luxurious Celebrity Summit for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise — five incredible days and nights celebrating timeless hits, legendary artists and 5-star entertainment, all curated by one of the greatest musical minds of our time.
Join the Pre-Sail to register for first access to your stateroom of choice before Open Booking becomes available to the public. Register below!
CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S WORLD AT SEA
Limited Time Promotional Pricing
Open Booking has begun! Special pricing is available for a limited time on Ocean View and Inside Staterooms. Use Promo Code CMW when you make your reservation! *New reservations only
THE JAZZ CRUISE ’26
Open Booking Now Available
The Jazz Cruise ’26 is in Open Booking!
Anyone may now reserve any available stateroom. This program always hits “fully reserved.” The only question is when!
THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.1 & 26.2
Open Booking Now Available
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 is Fully Reserved, but you may join the Waitlist.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 is in Open Booking and staterooms are more than 98% reserved.
THE TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Open Booking Now Available
With premium talent like Keith Urban, Lee Brice, Scotty McCreery, Parmalee, LeAnn Rimes, Thelma & James and Kassi Ashton, Top Shelf Country Cruise earns its title as the First-Class Country Music Cruise! Reserve your stateroom today!
THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.3
Open Booking Now Available
We’re thrilled to be able to announce that Boz Scaggs, Elvis Costello and Melody Gardot will be onboard Botti at Sea ’26.
Open Booking has begun. Reserve your stateroom today!
BOTTI AT SEA’26
Open Booking Now Available
We’re thrilled to be able to announce that Boz Scaggs, Elvis Costello and Melody Gardot will be onboard Botti at Sea ’26. Of course, Chris Botti will be there with his very talented band and, as always, we will fill the remaining performance slots with a variety of great music, comedy and more. Open Booking has begun. Reserve your stateroom today!
Send us Your Mug Shots
We know many readers of The Weekender like to peruse each edition over their morning coffee. And, if you’ve sailed with us, you likely have at least one (or perhaps many) Signature Cruise Experiences mugs just for that purpose. Over the years, The Weekender has featured several pictures of cruisers showing off their mugs, pictures we affectionately refer to as “Mug Shots.”
If you want to share your “Mug Shot” with the 100,000+ readers who receive The Weekender each Saturday, email a photo of yourself and your mug to mugshot@scecruises.com. Who knows? You may just see yourself in a future edition.
Tag us @thejazzcruise, @bottiatsea, @thesmoothjazzcruise, #signaturecruiseexperiences and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@scecruises.com.