The Weekender
October 25, 2025
Our Take: In the Wake of Woke, Let’s Work This Week, No Winking!
Earlier this week, I discussed the concern that jazz was becoming too woke, a situation being blamed for dismissals at the Kennedy Center. My premise was a simple one. Long…
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October 18, 2025
Our Take: Kenny G…and Joe!
Recently, I had the opportunity to see and hear Kenny G perform for the first time. Not sure why that has not happened before, but I have routinely played and…
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October 11, 2025
Our Take: The Making of a Jazz Fan – Three Paths to Loving Jazz
As we begin to produce a few programs that feature music and events other than jazz, we are learning the traits, interests and makeup of folks who love the various…
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October 4, 2025
Our Take: How Much Longer Are You Going To Work?
Hardly a day goes by without someone asking me “How much longer are you going to work?” Do I look that old? The question bothers me for that reason, but…
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September 27, 2025
Our Take: Cècile McLorin Salvant
Last Friday night, Cècile McLorin Salvant was on the same Los Angeles to St. Louis flight with me and my wife. That we were departing Los Angeles at the same…
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September 20, 2025
Our Take: Back Home – Journey of Jazz ’25
Sleeping in my own bed, drinking my own coffee and heading out to play tennis means we are home and back to our regular Saturday routine. That feels good, but,…
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September 13, 2025
Our Take: Journey of Jazz ’25 in Victoria, BC
After last night’s fabulous opening show which featured host Marcus Miller educating, entertaining and enlightening us about the History of Jazz, our “journey” has taken us to Victoria BC for…
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September 6, 2025
Our Take: Jazz and the NFL
The ’25 – ’26 NFL season is kicking off (literally) this weekend. Already off to a memorable start with Jerry Jones joining the Bill Belichick “What Was I Thinking?” club…
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August 30, 2025
Our Take: Labor Day Weekend
If you are looking for a great jazz experience this Labor Day Weekend, the search is an easy one. In alphabetical order, Aspen, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, District of Columbia and…
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August 23, 2025
Our Take: Lineups for the Future are Reminders of the Past
Historically, August is the month that we try to finalize our lineups for next round of cruise programs. No, not the ’26 Cruises, those have been set for months and…
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August 16, 2025
Our Take: Four Weeks Until Journey of Jazz ’25 Sails
Journey of Jazz ’25, Signature Cruise Experiences first Fall sailing in nearly two decades, sails in four weeks. For those with great memories, The Jazz Cruise began as a Fall…
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August 9, 2025
Our Take: Producing Music – Then and Now
Using technology in the production of music is hardly new. Much of it enhances the music, reduces the cost and improves the quality of the product. Much of it, however,…
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August 2, 2025
Our Take: How Do You Get To Birdland?
Most of you know the iconic, and likely apocryphal, story of the tourist walking down Broadway seeking directions to a famous destination. The tourist bumps into someone that we used…
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July 26, 2025
Our Take: 48 Days Before Journey of Jazz ’25
Years ago, we produced a jazz tour of New York. It was a glorious few days. We visited the Apollo Theater, Birdland, Blue Note, Dizzy’s Club and more. Marcus Miller…
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July 19, 2025
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…
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