Our Take: Polls

In this week’s edition of Jazz Notes, our jazz guru, Lee Mergner, analyzed the recent DownBeat Critics’ Poll which ranked jazz musicians, vocalists, bands, festivals and more. Highly subjective and often flawed for various reasons, nonetheless people love polls. I must admit that I am a sucker for polls, almost any poll that deals with a subject matter I know. The other day, I spent 15 minutes reading the “Top 20 Movies That Would Not Be Made Today.” Upon reflection, there is no value or purpose for me to do such a thing. Did not stop me.

Perhaps the first jazz poll I saw was the annual Playboy Jazz Poll where they pictured the very best jazz musicians in the world. That magazine had other pictures, so I have been told, but once I saw the photos of Gerry Mulligan and Buddy Rich, I was done. Back to Sports Illustrated and Boy’s World. In truth, that poll, which was always pictured as a big band with individual caricatures, was my first jazz lesson. Remember, this was over six decades ago and if you said “google” at all, you would be tickling under the chin of a newborn

Guests ask why we seldom do polls about our cruises. We have asked guests to name musicians they would like to hear, but we seldom, if ever, probe for critiques of the cruise. Asking guests who they want to perform is a recognition that we do not know every musician and there may be musicians whose popularity is unknown to us.

The emotional, and sometimes irrational, response to polls can be summed up in one story. Years ago, we asked guests on one of our cruises to name the Top Ten Artists they would like to see on the next sailing of that program. One of our artists wrote to us and called us to complain about the arbitrary nature of the poll and asked us to not share the results. The artist went on and on, making all the anti-poll comments that I am sharing with you now.

Just to see what the reaction might be, I shared with the artist that he/she was in 4th place in the poll. The complaints ended. There are several lessons to be gleaned from that story, very few of which are complimentary.

Critiques about the cruises are different. First, we usually receive that feedback in real time and, rather than reflect upon poll results which are often skewed, we gather our information anecdotally while mingling with our guests.

Back to the DownBeat Critic’s Poll. I would like to do a point-by-point exposé as to the results that I like and the ones that I do not like. Notice I say “like” rather than “agree” and “disagree.” “Like” is confirmation that the poll is subjective. “Agree” and “disagree” imply some degree of right and wrong, as if the poll is an objective report. Having spent considerable time in the world of candidate and issue polling, I know that the topline numbers are interesting, but it is the back pages that count. That is where the prejudices and assumptions can be found. The phrasing of the question posed can manipulate the results as you may desire.

Favorability: 

Candidate 1: 70%

Candidate 2: 30%

Polling Question:  Do you favor Candidate 1 or Candidate 2 now that you know that Candidate 2 may be a drug user?

The real questions are a bit more subtle, but not by much. Then there is the data about who is responding. What if we only polled guests who have sailed at least seven times with us? Would the results be different if we only polled new guests? Of course, it would.

Taking this inquiry back to the DownBeat Critic’s Poll, knowing the demographics of the “Critics” would be important. Age, location, years in the jazz business, etc. would be important indicators and predicters of outcome and choices. A 70-year-old critic from Boston would have a very different view from a 30-year-old critic from Los Angeles. 

Now you know why I am skeptical of all polls. What you see on paper may be very different from what is really happening. There is one poll that we, at Signature Cruise Experiences, rely upon year after year after year.

We count the number of smiling faces that we see during each cruise. That is the only polling that matters to us.

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

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Forget the Calendar: It’s Christmas in July
and Christian McBride has a Gift for You!

Christian McBride loves Christmas. He loves giving gifts and making people happy. So, when he learned that some folks who want to sail on Christian McBride’s World at Sea might need a little wiggle in the Cruise Price, he was determined to devise an offer that would please all.

So, with a Ho! Ho! Ho! and a twinkle in his eye, Christian has declared the first ever Christmas in July Cruise Offer. Savings of around $1,300 per person ($2,600 per couple) are available.

You can call the office or book online. Be sure to use the Promo Code: XMAS.

Christian’s Christmas in July

*New reservations only

You Don’t Need a Passport to Catch Christian in Europe!

This week, jazz legend and Christian McBride’s World at Sea host, Christian McBride is taking Europe by storm – and he’s bringing us along for the ride! As he grooves through Poland, Italy, Switzerland and beyond, keep an eye on his social feed (and ours!) for special shout-outs and a taste of life on the (European) road. You never know where he’ll pop up next!

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Biography of Lee Berk

Ever wonder where the name of the prestigious Berklee College of Music came from? If you didn’t know by now, you will learn all about it in Lee Berk: Leading the Berklee Way, the recently published biography of its longtime leader, written by Mark Small and Lee’s widow Susan Berk.   

Over the years, Lee and Susan were frequent guests on The Jazz Cruise and were very supportive in our growth and development. The book presents the story of descendants of poor Jewish immigrants from Russia who arrived on America’s shores in the 19th Century, paving the way for Lawrence Berk and his son Lee to realize their unique version of the American dream. Lawrence Berk established a humble, one-room teaching studio in Boston’s Back Bay in 1945. When Lee was 12, Lawrence reversed the names of his son and formally established the growing institution as Berklee School of Music (later, Berklee College of Music).

While not a musician himself, Lee Berk was a passionate music fan who attended thousands of concerts and dedicated his life to providing opportunities for young musicians. Beginning at home, he fostered Berklee’s mentoring and scholarship programs for Boston’s urban youth and played a pivotal role in establishing a Boston arts high school. The rest is history. Lee and Berklee’s impact on the jazz world is inarguable. The school has seen so many jazz greats pass through its doors over the years, including Branford Marsalis, Pat Metheny, Diana Krall, Lalah Hathaway, Bob James and too many more to mention here. Lee’s story is a great story. We hope you enjoy it.

Personal Note: I have read the book and it is a wonderful read about a truly wonderful man. I have shared my experiences with Lee Berk in other postings, but, just in case you missed them, Lee, along with Howard Stone and George Wein, were my mentors in the development of our jazz programs. Each knew much more about jazz than I did, but they also knew more about the interaction with jazz fans. All three would take me to task every so often, but, when Lee did it, you could not see the knife wound or the blood. I was able to have dinner with him and Susan very shortly before his tragic death. I can remember every minute of that night, and, more importantly, every word he ever said to me.

– Michael Lazaroff

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Brian Culberson’s “On the Road”

Brian Culbertson‘s new single, “On The Road,” featuring Sheila. E and Marcus Miller is climbing the charts! This track, the first release off his upcoming album Day Trip, is a preview of what fans can expect from his upcoming Day Trip Tour this fall! The tour features old hits, mixed with some brand new tracks from the eclectic jazz phenom; and the show will feature Brian at the head of a 10-piece band in a genre-bending live show! No tracks, just 11 performers at the top of their game. The band will also feature Darren Rahn and Nicholas Cole. Brian’s new album Day Trip will be released this September.

In addition to joining us on multiple Jazz cruises in 2026, Brian also curates his New Orleans Jazz Getaway annually in March. The 2026 lineup features Brian Culbertson, Gerald Albright, Maysa, Peabo Bryson, Vincent Ingala and Lindsey Webster plus more to be announced soon! The Jazz Getaway Team takes all the hassle out of travel with their VIP and Platinum Packages. Each of these packages feature tickets to a welcome dinner and jam session, two main concert events and a weekend-long hotel stay at the luxurious JW Marriott New Orleans. Plus, these packages ALSO include transport to both main concert events. Don’t wait, get your tickets today for the third, and final, New Orleans Jazz Getaway. It’s A Vibe! 

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Stateroom Availability

Cruise Programs – 2025

Journey of Jazz

Over 99% Reserved. Final Pricing for Remaining Inside Staterooms Now Announced on Website.  Cancellations filled from Waitlist

Cruise Programs – 2026

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise	Open Booking Now
Christian McBride’s World at Sea	Open Booking Now; Christmas in July Prices for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms. Promo Code: XMAS
The Jazz Cruise ’26	Open Booking Now
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1	Fully Reserved
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2	Fully Reserved
Top Shelf Country Cruise	Over 75% Reserved; Open Booking Now
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3	Over 85% Reserved; Open Booking Now
Botti at Sea ’26	Open Booking Now; Final Lineup Announcement Soon!

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Signature Cruise Experiences’ Programs