The Weekender
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…
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November 23, 2024
OUR TAKE: The Weekend Before Thanksgiving
For those who follow this column, you may remember that I love Thanksgiving. The menu is simple, known by all, but flexible enough to highlight individual and family heritage recipes. No gifts. No…
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November 16, 2024
OUR TAKE: Roy Haynes – American Drummer
Talk about a legend. None bigger than Roy Haynes, a true original American drummer, who died this week at 99. He sailed with us twice on The Jazz Cruise years…
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November 9, 2024
OUR TAKE: Quincy Jones – Jazz Man
Not sure that anyone in the history of music was more influential than Quincy Jones. His career spanned over seven decades. Known worldwide for his work with Michael Jackson, composing…
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November 2, 2024
OUR TAKE: Fall Back, Foul Off, Fell Flat, Feel Fine, Free Country
One strategy for success is to throw as much as you can against the wall and hope that something sticks. That is the mantra for this edition of Our Take.…
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October 26, 2024
OUR TAKE: A Life Well Lived
Dick Golden is the host of a Saturday morning jazz show on SXM called American Jazz. He was our Jazz Historian on The Jazz Cruise for several years and was…
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October 19, 2024
OUR TAKE: Where did you go, Joe DiMaggio?
At the risk of criminal redundancy, my spectator sports are jazz and baseball. My active sports are tennis and drums. My skill level for either of my active sports does…
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October 12, 2024
OUR TAKE: What’s in a Name?
Welcome to Signature Cruise Experiences! Quoting Shakespeare is not one of my fortes. Though he is touted to be the finest author ever, understanding the true meaning of his words…
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October 5, 2024
OUR TAKE: Honoring Marcus Miller
Today finds me in Los Angeles. Though our (Paula and me) stay will be very brief, we are excited, honored and humbled to be participating in tonight’s Los Angeles Jazz…
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September 28, 2024
OUR TAKE: Benny Golson – His Life was a History of Jazz
Benny Golson died last Saturday. He was 95. Which means he was born in 1929 and remained active as both a player and a composer through 2024. His life nearly…
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September 21, 2024
OUR TAKE: Why We Love This Music!
I have read stories about chefs who prefer peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to their haute cuisine dishes. Many athletes famously refuse to watch games involving their professional sport. And…
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September 14, 2024
OUR TAKE: G.O.A.T. & Mt. Rushmore Candidates
As a sucker for any list that purports to list the “Top 20” of anything or anyone, I am surprised that we have never undertaken such a list for the…
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September 7, 2024
OUR TAKE: A Tale of Two Cities…And Two Jazz Shows
Last week, I shared with you some insights from our 8.23 STL Jazz Fest Show in St. Louis which featured Gregory Porter, Eric Marienthal, Niki Haris and others. Again, it…
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August 31, 2024
OUR TAKE: Labor Day Resolutions
Resolutions should not be made only at New Years. Though the calendar changes from one year to the next, that day is not a bright line for much. Perhaps it…
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August 24, 2024
OUR TAKE: Showtime!
STL Jazz Fest, our land-based homage to all facets of our jazz programs, began last night in grand fashion. The evening included performances by our Music Director Eric Marienthal and…
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