February 1, 2025

Our Take: The Jazz Cruise & More

Reporting from The Jazz Cruise ’25. Today is day five of the cruise and I am thrilled to report that the week thus far has been wonderful. The ship is…
Top Ten List The Weekender
January 25, 2025

Our Take: Almost Sailing

Last night, we arrived in Ft. Lauderdale. On Tuesday, we will board the Celebrity Summit for the 25th Anniversary Sailing of The Jazz Cruise.
Martin Luther King Jr MLK Day
January 18, 2025

OUR TAKE: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. & Jazz

On the eve of the annual celebration of the life and mission of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it is appropriate to remember how important he viewed our music to…
john clayton
January 13, 2025

OUR TAKE: A Potpourri of Activities, Emotions & Responses

2025 has begun with a bang. Some of it good. Some of it bad. Some of it great. Some of it tragic. Let’s start with the “good.” We are 17…
HAPPY NEW YEAR THE WEEKENDER
January 4, 2025

OUR TAKE: 2025 is Here. We are Ready!

Happy New Year! I trust that everyone had a fun and safe New Year’s Eve celebration and that we are ready to take on the challenge and excitement of a…
SAMARA JOY 60 MINUTES
December 28, 2024

OUR TAKE: Seeing the Forest for the Trees

I often scoff at idioms. Generally, they appear when a more complex thought should be utilized. Reviewing some common idioms proves this point.  Do the phrases “break a leg,” “better…
homecoming the cruise
December 21, 2024

OUR TAKE: The Gift of Celebration

Later this week, folks will be celebrating Christmas, Hannukah and Kwanzaa. While these holidays do not cover the entire world, it is a very good start. Each holiday has its…
HOMECOMING THE CRUISE SIGNATURE EVENT CRUISES
December 14, 2024

OUR TAKE: From “Divine Nine Challenge” to Homecoming: The Cruise

Homecoming: The Cruise is meant to produce education, entertainment and excellence in the tradition of HBCUs and the NPHC.
DUKE ELLINGTON AND ORCHESTRA THE WEEKENDER
December 7, 2024

OUR TAKE: Jazz & World War II

Frequent readers of this column know my reverence for Winston Churchill and my interest in all matters surrounding World War II. Our world today has conflicts, but none of them…
SIGNATURE JAZZ CRUISES HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
November 30, 2024

OUR TAKE: The Gift of Jazz

They say that nearly 70% of all holiday gifts are purchased this weekend. My wife and I are part of that group, as we spend the weekend making our list, checking…