Jazz Notes: 11.5.25

It’s Q4 ’25! 
Time to Get Ready for Q1 ’26 & to Launch ’27

Planning ahead is important in every business or endeavor. To make tomorrow work, you need to work today. At any given time at Signature Cruise Experiences, we are preparing for the next round of cruise programs and planning and launching the round after the “next round.”

Doing so is fun, provided you can keep it all straight. That is where our loyal cruisers come in. You are the guardians of our messaging, the editors of our correspondence and the monitors of our plans

The other day I received three emails from guests correcting one of the dates we were using and two more reminding me that we promised to provide certain information by a particular date…and that we had failed to do so.

That level of engagement is exciting for us, though it is also scary. Over 40,000 fans open The Weekender each Saturday morning. Our main goal for that column is to entertain, but we spend a lot of time making sure that our notes are accurate, fair and do not offend…unless, of course, we intend to do so. Not often, but sometimes we take a stand on a subject that is controversial. With that many readers, upsetting someone is inevitable.
 
In this edition of Jazz Notes, we will highlight some special opportunities to sail with us in Q1 ’26, share some more information about other future cruises including our ’27 sailings and Lee Mergner, our Jazz Consultant, will share some thoughts about James Moody & Christian McBride, Pia Toscano and a Wycliffe Gordon/Sean Jones interview.

No controversy there. Just good information!

Michael Lazaroff
Executive Director
Signature Cruise Experiences

---

Los Angeles Jazz Society Honors Christian McBride

Last Saturday, November 1, 2025, the Los Angeles Jazz Society bestowed its highest honor, Jazz Tribute, to Christian McBride. Christian being recognized for his contribution to the world of jazz is hardly news. Universally heralded as one of jazz’ greatest ambassadors, Christian embodies all that is great about jazz and continues to be an important and significant member of the worldwide jazz community.

It was my hope and intention to join the festivities that night. I had scheduled a flight into Los Angeles that afternoon and a return to St. Louis the next morning. Those “up and back” flights have been a staple in my life for years, however, trips of that length impact much of what I need to do these days.

Had I been there, I was to be part of the team that introduced Christian, as if he needs to be introduced! My intro was written and ready to go, so I will share it with you now.

My life as a jazz fan began before I knew of Christian McBride.
His presence on the scene assures that I will remain a fan for the rest of my life. His talent on the bass is amazing, but it is his aura and being that separates him from others, elevates his stature and earns him the recognition and admiration that he enjoys. Nothing is more impressive than a man who has worked hard to be Great, achieved that goal yet remains humble and kind.

Christian McBride is a shining example to us as a musician and a man.

Not sure what was to happen after that, but my guess is that there was a lot of great music being performed by some great musicians.

(Sidebar: Years ago, the Los Angeles Jazz Society honored my mother for her contribution to the world of jazz. My entire family flew to LA for the event. When super jazz fan Kareem Abdul-Jabbar entered the venue, my brothers and our sons went nuts. Without as much as a nod, upon hearing us talk, she blurted out “which man is Kareem?” Her award was for jazz, not basketball.)

Michael Lazaroff
Executive Director
Signature Cruise Experiences

---

Q1 ’26 SPECIAL OFFERS FOR
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise &
Christian McBride’s World at Sea!

The Q1 ’26 Cruise Season for Signature Cruise Experiences starts in 73 days with two brand new cruise programs, David Foster: The Hitman Cruise (1.15.26 – 1.20.26) followed immediately by Christian McBride’s World at Sea (1.20.26 – 1.27.26). Both sailings are out of Ft. Lauderdale, are on Celebrity Summit and feature some of the most exciting and heralded musicians and vocalists in the world.

The talent combines for nearly 70 GRAMMY® Awards, 25 of them shared by the two hosts! This will be 12 days of great music, great camaraderie and great fun.

Join us for either sailing or for both sailings. A limited number of staterooms are available in various categories and, if you act soon, you will be eligible for our best pricing for any cruise.

Promo Codes for Special Pricing

• For David Foster: The Hitman Cruise, use Promo Code: FORASONG
• For Christian McBride’s World at Sea, use Promo Code: FINAL

Single Staterooms on Christian McBride’s World at Sea

Single Staterooms are now available for Christian McBride’s World at Sea.

---

A “EUGE” Announcement for The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3! 

---

Christian McBride & the Legacy of James Moody

Of course, you all know that he’s the curator of SCE’s McBride’s World at Sea, but, since 2013, he’s also been the Jazz Advisor for New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) which is the presenter of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival. This year’s edition of the festival runs from November 8 until November 23 and features concerts at that state-of-the-art venue by Stanley Clarke, Stanley Jordan, Arturo Sandoval, Rachael & Vilray, Savion Glover and many others. Also, in a bit of a preview of his cruise, Christian will perform with his big band, along with special guest vocalists Andra Day, Ledisi and Josè James. 

“Our goal with the Moody festival is to ensure you’ll always hear some of your favorites,” Christian says. “And always discover new music to fall in love with.”

The festival is named for one of the most beloved and accomplished jazz musicians of our time. An international star since 1949, James Moody was an influential saxophone and flute player and occasional vocalist, playing predominantly in the bebop and hard bop styles. Quincy Jones called him a national treasure. Moody was known for his virtuosic playing, his ability to seamlessly blend distinctive styles and his infectious personality. He was a master of the saxophone and the flute.Throughout his career, Moody’s innovative and soulful playing helped to define the sound of jazz. His ability to seamlessly blend distinctive styles and to infuse his playing with his own ebullient personality and humor made him one of the most beloved figures in the history of the genre. His influence can still be heard in the music of countless musicians today and his legacy as a musician and as a beloved figure in the jazz community continues to live on. According to his longtime friend, the esteemed writer George Varga, “Moody leaves behind one of the longest and most distinguished jazz careers in memory.

Not surprisingly, Moody was a favorite of Anita Berry and thereby guests of The Jazz Cruise. He and his wife Linda sailed with us several times back in the day and always made a deep personal connection with the audience. In recent years, Linda has endowed a scholarship for young jazz musicians through the Jazz House KiDS organization. “This scholarship would be an immense source of pride for Moody,” Linda says. “He fondly recalled growing up in Newark and was always thrilled when he could provide aspiring musicians with the resources he never had. Moody’s enormous presence will always be with us.”

The great pianist Renee Rosnes has participated in tribute concerts for Moody. “Moody’s music and his life will always be celebrated,” Renee said.  “He’s a giant player, and a key founding proponent of the bebop genre, but aside from that, he’s such a loved man. He lives in my heart. It’s almost like he’s still here, in a way, because I feel his spirit so deeply in my soul and will do, I’m sure, for the rest of my life.”

We’ll leave it to Christian to provide the final word on Moody’s legacy. “Moody wasn’t just a great musician – he was a force of light,” Christian said. “He brought joy and humor into jazz and he mentored so many. These performances at NJPAC are our way of saying thank you.” 

Lee Mergner
Jazz Consultant

---

The Jazz Cruise: Long May She Sail

The lineup is set with some very cool new musicians and programs and the date is set for sailing immediately prior to Journey of Jazz ’27 creating a true back-to-back jazz experience.

Once again, we will be producing Jazz Heaven on earth.

---

---

Pia Toscano: Beyond American Idol

For a few baseball fans, hearing Pia Toscano sing the “Star-Spangled Banner” before the 7th game of the World Series this past week may have been a revelation. But for many music fans, it was just an affirmation of what she had been doing for many years. After all, she has sung the National Anthem numerous times at everywhere from the New York Mets baseball games to the Los Angeles Kings hockey games with dozens of events in between. Her experience with the song goes all the way back to middle school in the Howard Beach neighborhood of New York City, where she was the designated singer for the National Anthem at all the school’s programs all the way through graduation.

Pia would go on to study at LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts (the “Fame” high school). Later, she would audition for American Idol three times before getting in as a contestant in the 10th season. For much of the competition that year, she was one of the front-runners, but she ended up getting eliminated in 9th place in a decision that some called the most shocking elimination in the show’s history. Upon her ouster, celebrities such as Tom Hanks, Jennifer Hudson and Alyssa Milano expressed their outrage on Twitter, while Ashton Kutcher told On Air With Ryan Seacrest, “I think she was probably the best pure singer on the show and she’s got all the makings of what it means to be a star.”

Undaunted, Pia made the round of talk shows after the competition and was eventually contacted by Jennifer Lopez, one of the American Idol judges, to join her tour as a back-up singer. “For one reason or another, Jennifer really took a liking to me on American Idol,” Pia explained to Billboard. “As a judge, she really pushed me and was one of my biggest cheerleaders. She was also one of the first ones to console me the night I got eliminated and told me that she had so many doors slammed in her face and that this would only lead to more opening. I’ve heard that saying “when one door closes another one opens” a million times before, but it just felt different coming from Jennifer Lopez. She was right, though: Another door did open and she’s the one that opened it.”

It was also through Lopez that Pia connected with David Foster, one of her lifelong heroes. The singer/actress invited Pia to her Christmas Party in 2016. “I prepped a few Christmas songs, mostly David Foster-produced ones, and mustered up the strength to attend,” she said. “I did hide in a corner with a glass of whiskey, nervously swaying, hands shaking and praying to God I wouldn’t be called up to sing. Benny Medina [Jennifer Lopez’s manager] called me up and asked me what I wanted to sing. I responded with ‘O Holy Night.’ He said, ‘David, didn’t you produce a version of this? Get up and play it with her!’ I died a little inside. My voice when I’m nervous is very shaky and hard to get control of. And then David starts to play in a key that is way too high for me. But I guess it’s true when they say when “preparation meets opportunity.” I was prepared for this. I didn’t want to let Jennifer down or myself for that matter. I wanted to prove to David that I did really have what it takes, and thanks to all the years practicing behind the scenes, I managed to get out those final notes of the song, and David was thrilled.”

The two spent much of the night talking about her current projects and what she was working on. Three months later, he reached out to see if she could perform with him for one of his shows, and she’s been touring with him ever since. “I call David the gift that keeps on giving because he has brought so many beautiful experiences into my life.”

Pia will join her mentor on the David Foster Hitman cruise in January. But don’t ask her to sing the National Anthem. Been there, done that. 

Lee Mergner
Jazz Consultant

---

Signature Cruise Experiences Programs

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise

1.15.26 – 1.20.26
A 5-Day Weekend Getaway with a Week’s Long Schedule of Talent

Christian McBride’s World at Sea

1.20.26 – 1.27.26
Christian’s Ensembles + World Class Vocalists

The Jazz Cruise

’26 (1.27.26 – 2.3.26) – Still the Greatest Jazz Festival at Sea
’27 (1.17.27 – 1.24.27) – Stay Tuned for More Information…Soon!

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

6 Opportunities to sail on “The Greatest Party at Sea”

Botti at Sea III (’26)

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Chris Botti hosts a West Coast Cruise with Amazing Talent

Journey of Jazz ’27

1.25.27 – 1.31.27
Where is Journey of Jazz Headed Next? New Orleans!