Having attended a few jazz programs in the past weeks and on the heels of weeks at sea with jazz fans, I have come to realize that while I love the music, I am equally drawn — perhaps even more so — into the music by the folks who perform and the folks who listen.
This awakening reminds me of a time when watching Andy Rooney on 60 Minutes was a must for me. The very definition of “curmudgeonly,” Andy’s short humorous essays had the perfect mix of grumpiness and heart.
There was one segment where he debated, with himself whether he liked Bill Clinton more than Newt Gingrich or the other way around. His answer has stuck with me for all these years and has proven to be helpful in so many ways.
Andy said that he did not know if he liked Bill or Newt more than the other, but that he liked the people who liked Bill better than the people who liked Newt.
That thinking is brilliant. I have no interest in soccer or the mixed martial arts, but I certainly like the people who like soccer more than the people who like mixed martial arts. The analysis is not ironclad or always on point, but it is a quick read and pretty reliable.
I would be lying if I told you that I like all forms of jazz. I would be lying if I told you that I like all forms of any music genre. Heck, I would be lying if I told you that I like all flavors of ice cream. There is always a portion of everything that one does not like.
But I can say, almost without exception, that I love being around the folks who like jazz, who perform jazz and who sit in the audience tapping their toes and watching the bandstand. The feeling in a jazz club or on our ship is amazing. The players are deciding what they want to “say” next and the fans are eagerly listening in anticipation of what is to come. The intensity of the experience is palpable and both the musicians and the fans are hanging on every note.
In many ways, sharing the experience with other jazz fans is as rewarding as the music itself. For years at Signature Cruise Experiences, most of my interaction with our team about jazz centered on conversations with Lee Mergner (former editor and publisher of Jazz Times). Recently, Gene Dobbs Bradford, longtime director of Jazz St. Louis and recent leader of the Savannah Music Festival, joined the company and we now have a three-sided conversation on the jazz topic of the day.
Three opinions stir more controversy than two. The back and forth makes me smile, improves my knowledge, and causes me to be a bit more restrained in expressing my likes and dislikes. Which brings me to the only portion of the jazz community that bothers me. The jazz “know-it-all.”
Is there any jazz fan more difficult to endure than the “know-it-all?” I believe in having opinions, but I also know that an opinion is just that…what you believe to be true and right, based on your personal preferences. There are absolutes, to be sure, but, for the most part, our lives are governed and impacted by the opinions of others and our own point of view.
Opinions suggested from ignorance or presented as absolute truisms are not acceptable. The right response when that happens is no response at all, but there are times when “turning a deaf ear” feels like acquiescence. The competitor in me takes over and the battle is on.
But those situations in the world of jazz are the exception… a very narrow exception to be sure. Besides, there are so many lovely and wonderful jazz fans that the few bad ones are so diluted to be not there at all.
Many of you are considering writing to me with the hope of having me list the types of jazz that I do not like. Good luck prying those words out of my mouth. As someone who has been a fool more often than being a wise man, I try mightily to avoid being foolish. Only a fool follows a mistake with an error. The wise man admits the mistake and takes the more prudent road thereafter. Don’t throw good money after bad they say.
Well, my money is always on jazz. I have leaned into that world for 26 years with all my heart, all my resources and all my energy. Along the way, I have met a lot of really great people. I may not like some parts of jazz, but, other than the few “know-it-alls,” I cherish my time with those who love this music.
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 and Top Shelf Country Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com.
Bria Skonberg’s Brass
Bria Skonberg, who has sailed on several of our programs, has two albums coming out this year. The first, Brass, is dedicated to the trumpet and was released last week. The second, unnamed as of yet, will focus on her vocals. Bria says that separating her two disciplines has helped her better define her approach to each.
“Ultimately, what parts of my personality get tapped into when I isolate and focus on one of those instruments?” she explains. “The trumpet album has a lot of fire to it, because I love the grittiness and the brassiness of the instrument. There’s an audacity to the music, and I played more with rhythms and time signatures.”
Helping her achieve her vision for the instrumental recording were pianist Luther S. Allison, bassist Eric Wheeler and drummer Darrian Douglas. Brass features a combination of compositions by Bria as well as by Jelly Roll Morton (“New Orleans Bump”) and Harold Arlen (“Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea”). There’s also a mash-up of tunes by Bob Dorough (“Comin’ Home, Baby”) and Cole Porter (“You’d Be So Nice to Come Home to”), carrying on a Skonberg tradition of recording seemingly disparate medleys connected by a theme.
(Personal Note: Gene Dobbs Bradford and I, along with our wives, attended Bria’s show at Jazz St. Louis on Friday, March 13, 2026. The nearly 90 minute set flew by as Bria weaved in and out of various genres and themes while always maintaining the highest level of musicianship and vocal talent. Her bassist, Liany Mateo, a former Jazz House KiDS grad, was elite. Jon Thomas (piano) and Zach Adleman (drums) provided top flight support for what was a challenging and far-ranging set. Zach not only trained with Jazz House KiDS, but he teaches there now. Bria announced on stage that Brass was dropping that day…launching a new recording on Friday the 13th. Now there is a brave….and very talented…woman. – Michael Lazaroff)
Upcoming Jazz Festivals
As spring arrives, FINALLY, all over the country, several jazz festivals and events pop up that feature many SCE artists.
| Festival | Date | Location | Lineup | Link |
| Berks Jazz Fest | March 19-29 | Reading, PA | Brian Culbertson; Chris Botti; Vincent Ingala; Eric Marienthal; Marcus Miller & Friends; Boney James; Emmet Cohen; others | LEARN MORE |
| Denver Jazz Fest | April 3-6 | Denver, CO | Bob James; Pat Metheny; Jose James; Branford Marsalis; Carmen Lundy; Ingrid Jensen; Rene Marie; others | LEARN MORE |
| Earl Klugh’s Weekend of Jazz at Broadmoor | April 9-11 | The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, CO | Earl Klugh; Kenny G; Boney James, Al Di Meola; Peter White, Mindi Abair & Vincent Ingala; Jazz Funk Soul; The War and Treaty; others | LEARN MORE |
| Charleston Jazz Festival | April 13-21 | Charleston, SC | Herlin Riley; Al Di Meola; Alfredo Rodriguez; Danilo Perez; others | LEARN MORE |
| Seabreeze Jazz Festival | April 22-26 | Panama City Beach, FL | DW3; Mindi Abair; Kirk Whalum; Jonathan Butler; Rick Braun, Richard Elliot & Peter White; Vincent Ingala; others | LEARN MORE |
| New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival | April 23-May 3 | New Orleans, LA | Ron Carter; Herbie Hancock; Dianne Reeves; Monty Alexander; Terence Blanchard; Ravi Coltrane; Rebirth Brass Band; Hiromi; others | LEARN MORE |
| International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert | April 30 | Chicago, IL | Herbie Hancock; Kurt Elling; Dee Dee Bridgewater; Christian McBride; Marcus Miller; others | LEARN MORE |
Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs
Sailing in the Next 12 Months
Botti at Sea III (’26)
9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Chris Botti hosts a West Coast Cruise with Amazing Talent and Fabulous Excursions & Events
Botti at Sea III (’26) is in Open Booking. Anyone may select any available stateroom and complete a reservation.
The lineup has been set for a few months. Joining Chris Botti will be Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs, Melody Gardot, Peabo Bryson, Regina Belle, Emmet Cohen, Veronica Swift, Candy Dulfer, John Splithoff, Morgan James, Benny Benack III, Kandace Springs, Harold Lopez-Nussa Trio ft. Gregoire Maret and more. The cruise will sail from Los Angeles to Vancouver, with calls in San Francisco and Victoria.
We recently had Chris Botti participate in a livestream for both booked guests and those interested in sailing. Members of our team detailed the events, shows and special excursions that this cruise offers in a 60+ minute video presentation which you can see below.
Botti at Sea III incorporates two experiences. First, is another edition of our famous cruise programs with nightly special shows, hours of additional music and intimate and insightful opportunities to learn more about our performers.
The second aspect of the programs is a robust offering of excursions and events when we dock in San Francisco (overnight) and in Victoria, BC (full day). You can visit wineries in Napa or Sonoma, tour Napa Valley on the Napa Valley Wine Train, dine at the finest restaurants, see special shows at SFJazz, and more. Each of these events are curated, produced and presented by us.
To learn more about the cruise and the amazing excursions, check out the Botti Cruise Livestream Video on-demand on our website and on YouTube.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise
’26.3 (9.11.26 – 9.18.26)
’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)
3 Sailings of “The Greatest Party at Sea”
Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise has sailed over 30 times since 2004. Year after year, there is a waitlist for staterooms and the cruises hit Fully Reserved earlier and earlier.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 is fully reserved. Guests wishing to sail on the cruise should Join the Wait List now. Any cancellations by current guests will be filled by the Wait List.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.1 and ‘27.2 are both in Open Booking. ’27.1 is more than 80% reserved and ’27.2 is more than 90% reserved. Please note that the itineraries for both sailings have been updated.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.1
Tampa – Cozumel – Grand Cayman – Tampa
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.2
Tampa – Grand Cayman – Ocho Rios – Tampa
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’27
1.12.27 – 1.17.27
Stay Tuned for the Lineup and Detail
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’26 (Foster ’26) was a runaway hit program. From the first note to the last song, the brilliance of David Foster was evident in every show and event. As you recall, David wanted to learn more about how the cruise programs unfold before he casted the lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore Sailing ’27.
That moment has arrived. Just yesterday, the lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore Sailing ’27 was announced and includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.
Foster ’26 Guests are currently able to finalize rebooking of their staterooms through April 10, after which Pre-Sail Reservations holders will be eligible to select a stateroom and complete their reservation. There is still time to complete a Pre-Sail Reservation (no deposit or obligation required)—just click below.
The Jazz Cruise ’27
1.17.27 – 1.24.27
Still 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 cruise is in Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom. The Jazz Cruise reaches Fully Reserved every year and staterooms for The Jazz Cruise ’27 are being reserved faster and sooner than ever.
Journey of Jazz ’27
1.24.27 – 1.31.27
Now in Open Booking
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 and 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 and learn more about the history of jazz. As an example, Journey of Jazz ’27 will present Ledisi as a main show performer on the ship. In keeping with the theme of the cruise, Ledisi will perform her universally beloved Tribute to Dinah (Washington) program.
Details for the overnight stay in New Orleans are nearly complete. There will be special jazz shows in the city, dining at iconic New Orleans restaurants (Brennan’s, Commander’s Palace, Arnaud’s and more), tours of the city on land and by ship and much more. Each event in New Orleans will be curated, produced and presented by Signature Cruise Experiences.
Journey of Jazz ’27 is in Open Booking. You may select and reserve any available stateroom at this time. This may be the jazz experience of the year.
Sailing in 18 Months
Botti at Sea IV (’27)
10.6.27 – 10.13.27
Chris Botti Takes His Cruise from Boston to Quebec
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. 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.
Look for most of this to happen around 8.15.26!
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3
10.13.27 – 10.20.27
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.3, which departs from Quebec City on 10.13.27 and sails through Canada terminating in Boston on 10.20.27, has been announced and will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events.
From now through 3.31.26, guests sailing on The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 (’26 Guests) have the exclusive opportunity to reserve their ’26 stateroom for The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.3. Those who are not ’26 Guests may establish their priority for selecting a stateroom for that cruise by completing a Pre-Sail Reservation. Pre-Sail Reservations will be activated in mid-April.