For as long as I can remember, I have encouraged folks to recognize the “surfing” theory of life and adapt accordingly. What is the “surfing” theory of life? Quite simply, it is the recognition that no trend or pattern or operation goes on forever. Just like every wave in the ocean winds up on land, the surfer will not be able to ride any particular wave forever. That recognition alone is worth understanding.

More importantly, once ashore, the surfer needs to find the energy, courage and ability to swim back out into the ocean and find the next wave. That is the hard part and that is the part that separates the good from the bad and the great from the good.

On Monday, it looked like one of my very favorite waves came ashore. Berks Arts Council announced that it was ceasing operations which meant that the Berk’s Jazz Fest was in jeopardy. Most of my affiliation with that event was under the guidance of John Ernesto who ably and smartly ran that festival for years. “Berks” was great for many reasons, but atop the list was the fact that they presented all the jazz genres that our cruises presented. In many respects, that festival was Signature Cruise Experiences land-based cousin.

Leave it to John to swim back into the ocean and find a wave to save the festival, even if Berks Arts Council is no longer in business. John has created a partnership with Boscov’s, a leading retailer in the area and its non-profit entity Our City Reading Inc. to create Berks Jazz Fest. Berks Jazz Fest will be an independent subsidiary of Our City Reading Inc. Sometime today they will announce the 36th annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest will be held April 1-11, 2027.

All Jazz Fans owe John for this one. Nice work.

Michael Lazaroff
Executive Director
Signature Cruise Experiences

Cruise Updates

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.2

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27) is Fully Reserved and there are fewer than 50 staterooms remaining on The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27). There is availability on The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.3 (10.13.27 – 10.20.27), which sails from Quebec City along the St. Lawrence Seaway with calls on several Canadian ports and Portland (ME) before docking in Boston.

Chris Botti at Sea ’26

Only a few staterooms remain for Chris Botti at Sea ’26. Those staterooms, mainly Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms, are being offered at final Cruise Prices and guests have the option to Sail Now, Pay Later. We have never done that before, so we will see how this works on the few that are left. To learn more about the Cruise Prices and Payment Plans, click below. 

George Benson Celebrates Nat King Cole

In the wide world of jazz, George Benson occupies a singular place. A prodigy who cut his teeth as a teenager playing guitar with the legendary organist Brother Jack McDuff, George received early acclaim for his formidable jazz chops.

He was just 21 when he released his first album as a leader, the appropriately named The New Boss Guitar of George Benson for the Blue Note label. Eventually, he moved to another iconic record label, CTI, for whom he recorded numerous groundbreaking and genre-busting albums featuring his virtuosity on the guitar backed by electric and often funky textures in keeping with the sounds of the early 70s.

After signing with Warner Brothers in 1976, George almost stumbled into his future when he sang “This Masquerade” on Breezin’, an otherwise all-instrumental album. Up to that point, he had rarely sung on his recordings. The song was a hit and the album went Platinum (the title cut’s success surely helped). The die was cast. Thereafter he would be known as a pop singer who also played guitar. 

So it was fitting that in 2013 George turned to the music of Nat King Cole, an artist who also combined virtuosity with commercial appeal. After all, Cole was a gifted instrumentalist (a jazz pianist in the style of Oscar Peterson) who fell into singing and became a pop star. Likewise, many music fans were unaware of Cole’s considerable talents as a jazz pianist with swinging chops.

This past week, George has re-released “Unforgettable” featuring Wynton Marsalis, a single from the reissue of his 2013 album Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole that will come out on Candid Records on September 11.  Reissued under the supervision of George and Candid Records executive John Burk, who is also the album’s original producer, Inspiration has been remastered, re-sequenced and expanded to include three additional songs from the sessions: “Almost Like Being In Love,” “That Sunday, That Summer” and “Ramblin’ Rose.” Co-produced by Randy Waldman, the album pairs George’s voice and guitar with vintage Nelson Riddle charts and new Waldman arrangements, backed by a crack rhythm section (Waldman, Tim May, Chuck Berghofer and Gregg Field) and the 42-piece Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra. 

George, who has performed on numerous sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise, truly represents the breadth of our jazz programs with his combination of instrumental virtuosity and vocal expressiveness. In short, he would fit perfectly into just about any of our other sailings from The Jazz Cruise to Journey of Jazz to Botti at Sea to The David Foster Cruise. Not many artists can live up to that standard.

– Lee Mergner
Jazz Consultant

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

SCE Sailings in ’27

Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3, which departs from Vancouver on 9.11.26 and sails to Victoria, BC and San Francisco, before terminating in Los Angeles on 9.18.26, is Fully Reserved. If you wish to try to join the cruise, go to the website and JOIN WAITLIST for any stateroom category you wish. All cancellations for this cruise will be filled from the waitlist.

Botti at Sea III (’26)

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Sail Now/Pay Later – See Above for More Information!

When The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 docks in Los Angeles, we will turn around and head back to Vancouver (via San Francisco and Victoria, BC) under the guidance of superstar Chris Botti. Chris Botti at Sea III will be the perfect combination of a topflight music cruise and exciting excursions.

In addition to the recently announced Josh Groban, joining Chris on the cruise are several music icons: Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs and Melody Gardot, and many others. When in San Francisco, guests may take winery tours in Napa and Sonoma, spend the day on the Napa Valley Wine Train, sample the finest cuisine in San Francisco and much more.

SCE Sailings in ’27

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’27

1.12.27 – 1.17.27

Why One Sailing Isn’t Enough

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. 

The lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore Sailing ’27 includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Leslie Odom Jr., Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.

This cruise is now in Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.

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 Jazz Cruise has reached Fully Reserved every year and The Jazz Cruise ’27 is near that goal again (over 85% Reserved). 

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, as well as a special two days in New Orleans featuring 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 who will perform her universally beloved Tribute to Dinah (Washington) program. Recently announced, John Pizzarelli will do tributes to both Nat King Cole and Duke Ellington. 

Journey of Jazz ’27 is the best kind of learning experience…no tests, just recess! 

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

  ’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
  ’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)

The Greatest Party at Sea presents its customary back to back weeklong programs in the Caribbean. Tampa is the port of embarkation and disembarkation for the first time and both sailings will call on Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.

The star studded lineup is led by hosts Marcus Miller and Boney James and features Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer, Kirk Whalum, Peter White and more.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.1 is in Open Booking and more than 95% reserved at this time. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.2 is Fully Reserved. If you wish to join the cruise, go to the website and JOIN WAITLIST for any stateroom category you wish.

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 program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events. 

This cruise is currently in Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.

The post Jazz Notes: 7.29.26 appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

Political issues have caused that event to be postponed as the NEA searches for an appropriate location and time. Several ideas have been suggested, but I would like to throw our hat in the ring for consideration. Why not have the tribute take place on one of our cruises? We could easily accommodate the customary size of attendees and our technical crew could provide the ability for streaming the festivities around the world.

After all, the ceremony consists of a few people talking on stage and some live performances by great jazz musicians. I am pretty sure that our 26 years of cruises has taught us how to do that kind of show. We would do if for free, so there would be no cost to the NEA and we would pitch in on the production effort.

We pitched this idea to our own Lee Mergner who has the inside track on all jazz events and programs. He is running it up the flagpole, seeing if someone will salute, taking the pulse of the people in charge, and whatever other bromide you wish to use to describe “finding out if this works.” In the meantime, we are spitballing ways to entice the NEA to give us a shot at producing this event. On a personal note, I see this as the closest I will ever be to being an NEA Jazz Master. That is for sure.

All joking aside, honoring folks who are more than just a part of the jazz infrastructure would be a privilege. When you have a moment, look at the names of the folks who have been selected as a “Jazz Master.” With few exceptions, when you hear their names, your first thought is “jazz.” If there are holes in the honor roll, please know that the honor is not awarded posthumously. David Sanborn, Ken Peplowski and others will never be eligible.

Without naming them specifically, there are several of our favorite performers whose “eligibility” may be very limited. Again, on a no-name basis, several of us are working to push through two of those musicians right now. I hope we can “beat the clock” and get the job done.

I have heard several explanations as to why the honor of being a Jazz Master is only bestowed upon the living. As is the case with most heritage procedures, if the idea ever made sense, it most certainly does not do so now. Granted, as Mark Twain said, or at least he has been credited with saying, “no award is worth winning posthumously.” He is undoubtedly correct, but no one should be penalized for dying if he or she would otherwise qualify for the recognition.

If anyone reading this note (and that is customarily over 40,000 people) knows anyone at the NEA, please let them know how much you would like to see the NEA Jazz Master Tribute become a permanent event on The Jazz Cruise, our first sailing and a beacon of jazz life since 2001. One thing for sure, nearly all the 2,000 guests on that cruise each year are true Jazz Masters!

So, if the NEA looks the other way and chooses another site for the event, we will have our own ceremony and induct all our guests. The only problem is that an NEA Jazz Master is awarded a $25,000 stipend upon receiving the honor. That would be $50,000,000 in prize money. We might need some help with that.

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, Top Shelf Country Cruise and The Yacht Rock Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com.

Mathis Picard’s Preludes & Fugues Book 1

Pianist Mathis Picard, who has sailed on several of our jazz programs with Cyrille Aimee, Dee Dee Bridgewater and others, has released Preludes & Fugues Book 1, an original collection of twelve solo piano compositions.

Rooted in a compositional tradition stretching back to Bach and shaped by his roots in France, Madagascar, Manchester, and New York City, the tracks span all twelve keys with six preludes and six fugues, and one piece per key. 

“Solo piano represents the roots of where I’m coming from,” Mathis says. “It’s always been with me, from boarding school, from the pieces I was learning, from my personal relationship with music. The preludes and fugues format is a way to keep honoring that love.”

Jon Hamar’s Musica Callada

Bassist Jon Hamar, who has sailed on The Jazz Cruise many times over the years as both an All-Star and as a member of Jeff Hamilton’s trios, has released Musica Callada, a duo recording with pianist Adrienne Fontenot.

The album features Jon’s arrangement of the title suite by Catalan composer Frederic Mompou, as well as compositions by David P. Jones, New Rorem and his friend and mentor John Clayton.

“Creating a more classically focused album has long been a dream of mine,” Jon explained. “Rather than drawing from the traditional double bass repertoire – music I grew up playing and still deeply love – I wanted to curate something different: a collection built around new works, or pieces simply new to the double bass. The result is, in my view, a deeply meditative and profoundly personal exploration of the solo instrument. Some selections lean classical, others drift toward jazz with moments of improvisation, and some resist easy categorization altogether.”

Vote For Your Favorites in the SCE Reader’s Poll

In honor of Downbeat‘s 74th Annual Critics Poll, we decided to create our own jazz poll and have our guests vote for their favorite artists under the same ballot system. One catch. The artists on the ballot have all performed on our programs. This is not as limiting as it might first seem, because the roster of SCE artists is just plain remarkable and that’s not including the legendary artists who have passed, like Al Jarreau, Joe Sample, Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, Shirley Horn, David Sanborn, George Duke and so many more.

Click below to view the ballot. Please vote and let us know who you think deserves acclaim or even “wider recognition,” to use DownBeat’s term for emerging artists. To sweeten the pot, we’ll be giving a $200 onboard credit to one lucky entrant chosen at random.

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

SCE Sailings in ’26

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3

9.11.26 – 9.18.26
Vancouver – Victoria – San Francisco – Los Angeles
34th Sailing of The Greatest Party at Sea

Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 is Fully Reserved.

If you wish to join the cruise, go to the website and JOIN WAITLIST for any stateroom category you wish. All cancellations for this cruise will be filled from the waitlist.

Botti at Sea ’26

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Los Angeles – San Francisco – Victoria – Vancouver
Just Announced: Josh Groban Performing on Botti at Sea!

In addition to the recently announced Josh Groban, joining Chris on the cruise are several music icons: Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs and Melody Gardot and many others. When in San Francisco, guests may take winery tours in Napa and Sonoma, spend the day on the Napa Valley Wine Train, sample the finest cuisine in San Francisco and much more. Another menu of excursions awaits guests when the cruise docks in Victoria, BC. Trust us, this is the perfect music experience!

---

SCE Sailings in ’27

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore

1.12.27 – 1.17.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Costa Maya – Tampa
One Sailing is Not Enough!

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’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.

The star-studded lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Leslie Odom Jr., Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.

---

The Jazz Cruise ’27

1.17.27 – 1.24.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Belize – Costa Maya – Tampa
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 Jazz Cruise has reached Fully Reserved every year it has sailed and The Jazz Cruise ’27 is near that goal again (over 85% Reserved) 

---

Journey of Jazz ’27

1.24.27 – 1.31.27
Tampa – New Orleans – Progreso – Tampa
Time to Take the Journey

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, 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.

---

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27) – Tampa – Ocho Rios – Grand Cayman – Tampa
  ’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27) – Tampa – Grand Cayman – Ocho Rios – Tampa

The Greatest Party at Sea presents its customary back-to-back weeklong programs in the Caribbean. Tampa is the port of embarkation and disembarkation for the first time and both sailings will call on Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.

The star studded lineup is led by hosts Marcus Miller and Boney James and features Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer, Kirk Whalum, Peter White and more.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.1 is in Open Booking and more than 95% reserved at this time. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.2 is Fully Reserved. If you wish to join the cruise, go to the website and JOIN WAITLIST for any stateroom category you wish.

---

Botti at Sea ’27

10.6.27 – 10.13.27
Boston – Portland – Saint John – Sydney –
Charlottetown – Quebec City
Chris Botti Takes His Cruise from Boston to Canada

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 (around 8.15.26) for more programming and reservation procedure details.

---

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3

10.13.27 – 10.20.27
Quebec City – Charlottetown – Sydney –
Saint John – Portland – Boston

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3 program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events. Marcus Miller, Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer and others will lead the team for another edition of this iconic program.

This cruise is currently in Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.

The post Our Take: NEA Jazz Masters at Sea? appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

Reader’s polls in jazz have been around for decades. One of the most famous jazz poll was in Playboy magazine. For many of us, that was our first “exposure” to jazz. At least that was our defense when caught with the magazine. Since then, reader’s polls have been conducted by magazines, record labels and other media outlets. Everyone loves reading polls. While browsing the internet, you can find a poll or a “list” of just about anything.

Most polls are the living, breathing example of the concept of GIGO. GIGO is “garbage in, garbage out.” A poll is only as worthwhile as the sample section polled. Most jazz polls lately skew to the newest and most edgy forms of music. Why? Because proponents of that music are the folks who complete the polls. Creating a true sample section requires significant research, well-crafted questions and a disciplined reach. When the sole reason for a poll is to tease and titillate, that level of diligence is rarely undertaken.

Then there is the “stuff the ballot box” element. Agents, managers, and sometimes the artist themselves campaign to have their name “circled” by the public. With the likely participation level being minimal, a few hundred “favorite son” votes can sway the day. We will leave it up to you to judge the various polls when they appear. You can judge them in the light of your own experience or compare the results to generally accepted views of the various musicians.

When you are finished, it is likely that the poll would not have swayed you very much. There may be a new name or two that you will investigate, but you will rely going forward on the only poll that matters…what you like and do not like. Sounds simple? It is. Just follow your instincts and be honest about your tastes.  

Michael Lazaroff
Executive Director
Signature Cruise Experiences

Critical Mess: Who Do You Love?

I was looking forward to receiving the latest copy of DownBeat magazine because I knew it had the annual Critics Poll, which their editor Frank Alkyer says always makes it their most popular issue of the year. There’s irony there, because the results of the Critics Poll reflect anything but popularity, as I discovered upon receiving the issue this past week. I was expecting to find so many of our artists populating the poll. However, in category after category, the winner as well as the 20-30 runner-ups were invariably critics’ darlings who rarely tour and sell albums in the high triple figures. This is an age-old tale, as jazz critics lean (and lean hard) into the avant garde and left-of-center artists and music.

This is not to say that the artists who perform on SCE programs lack critical acclaim. It just seems like their commercial and popular success is held against them in the court of jazz criticism, which is often ruled by older white men with questionable grooming and hygiene. The situation reminds me of that Yogi Berra quote: “That restaurant is too popular…no one goes there anymore.”  

Three of our artists did win categories. Kurt Elling and Cécile McLorin Salvant both won for Male and Female Vocalist of the Year, which makes sense because there are so few avant garde singers and those two are about as creative (and successful) as you can get. And Anat Cohen won as the Clarinetist of the Year, because she’s Anat who is likewise both adventurous and accessible. I’d list the great artists who didn’t even make the list of runner-ups, but in a poll in which Wynton Marsalis finished 8th and Randy Brecker 15th in the trumpet category, you can just imagine all the amazing players who didn’t make the critical cut.

So we decided to create our own jazz poll and have our guests vote for their favorite artists under the same ballot system. One catch. The artists on the ballot have all performed on our programs. This is not as limiting as it might first seem, because the roster of SCE artists is just plain remarkable and that’s not including the legendary artists who have passed, like Al Jarreau, Joe Sample, Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, Shirley Horn, David Sanborn, George Duke and so many more.

Click below to view the ballot. Please vote and let us know who you think deserves acclaim or even “wider recognition,” to use DownBeat’s term for emerging artists. To sweeten the pot, we’ll be giving a $200 onboard credit to one lucky entrant chosen at random.

A few ground rules. Vote for one artist per category or write in your own choice. Submit your ballot before August 7, 2026, and enter your email address at the end to be eligible to win a $200 onboard credit.

Note that there were a few categories from DownBeat’s poll that we didn’t include just because there weren’t that many SCE artists eligible, specifically in the violinist, flute, soprano saxophone, baritone saxophone and vibes categories. We’ll just go ahead and award Regina Carter, Steve Wilson, Gary Smulyan and Warren Wolf first place in those relatively uncontested categories. Like a judge running unopposed in your local election.

We look forward to getting your vote in this unique “election.”  

– Lee Mergner

Last Chance to Sail With Us in ’26

Only two Signature Cruise Experiences’ sailings remain in ’26. One (The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3) is fully reserved and the other (Botti at Sea III) is nearly so. Take advantage of favorable Cruise Prices on the remaining Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms, plus, as a courtesy to our guests, you may elect our Sail Now, Pay Later program. Not too late to see Chris Botti and his Band, Josh Groban, Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs, Melody Gardot and many others. First class excursion in San Francisco curated by us.

Like we said, this is the last chance to sail with us in ’26.

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

SCE Sailings in ’27

Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3, which departs from Vancouver on 9.11.26 and sails to Victoria, BC and San Francisco, before terminating in Los Angeles on 9.18.26, is Fully Reserved. If you wish to try to join the cruise, go to the website and JOIN WAITLIST for any stateroom category you wish. All cancellations for this cruise will be filled from the waitlist.

Botti at Sea III (’26)

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Last Chance to Sail in ’26! See Above for More Information!

SCE Sailings in ’27

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’27

1.12.27 – 1.17.27

Why One Sailing Isn’t Enough

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. 

The lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore Sailing ’27 includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Leslie Odom Jr., Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.

This cruise is now in Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.

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 Jazz Cruise has reached Fully Reserved every year and The Jazz Cruise ’27 is near that goal again (over 85% Reserved). 

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, as well as a special two days in New Orleans featuring 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 who will perform her universally beloved Tribute to Dinah (Washington) program. Recently announced, John Pizzarelli will do tributes to both Nat King Cole and Duke Ellington. 

Journey of Jazz ’27 is the best kind of learning experience…no tests, just recess! 

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

  ’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
  ’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)

The Greatest Party at Sea presents its customary back to back weeklong programs in the Caribbean. Tampa is the port of embarkation and disembarkation for the first time and both sailings will call on Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.

The star studded lineup is led by hosts Marcus Miller and Boney James and features Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer, Kirk Whalum, Peter White and more.

Both sailings are in Open Booking. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.1 is more than 95% reserved and The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.2 has only a handful of staterooms remaining.

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 program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events. 

This cruise is currently in Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.

The post Jazz Notes: 7.22.26 appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

Perhaps the most obvious annoyance has been the need to wear a series of totally ridiculous looking glasses. My wife says I look like one of the Minions. Not only was the comment funny, but it was spot on.

I consider the ability to see things clearly, both physically and metaphorically, to be of the utmost importance. Mistaking items or events due to poor vision is unfortunate and dangerous. To view the world as a blur would be difficult to embrace, particularly when knowing how you once were able to see.

The ability to see things clearly beyond one’s vision is a gift. Though there is an eyesight element involved, the real work is done in the mind. Long ago, a professor of mine said “get on top of the world, ignore flyspecks and try to see what is really going on.” The advice was in the context of tax law, but its application has a wide reach.

Let’s apply this approach to our favorite music genre. From a bird’s eye view, ignoring minor stuff, what is happening in the world of jazz?

This will not be one of those “Is Jazz Dying?” articles. Largely, because jazz continues to be a very healthy genre. The number of new, young jazz musicians continues to grow. As we scout for talent, we are constantly presented with young lions and lionesses. Many are tutored by the stars of today. Jazz is a shining example of “pay it forward.” Veteran performers seem to be dedicated to the preservation of the music through the music and performances of young musicians.

If there is a concern lurking, it would be the financial underpinnings of jazz. For all genres, earnings from recordings have been dramatically impacted by new technology. Though some of the advances have made creating the recordings easier and more cost effective, listeners have more low-cost access to the music than ever before.

To make a living as a jazz musician, you must go “on the road,” a task that has its upsides for sure, but it is also tedious, tough and often troublesome. It impacts marriages, parenting and your health. Ever see the food in a Green Room before a gig? I have and I know why our musicians love being on the ship.

Most jazz clubs are small. To make the show work for the owner and for the musician, two shows (or more) in an evening are required to be cobbled together to produce a meaningful financial reward. To be able to hire top talent, clubs rely heavily on sponsors and benefactors who subsidize various shows.

Why am I taking you through this course of Jazz Finance 101? Because I want you to “see clearly” the commitment of the men and women who play jazz for a living. Many have teaching jobs that provide a base of operations and benefits, but reducing the funding for music education can be one of the first ways schools, colleges and universities make their budgets work.

I am not sure how we let this happen, but college football and basketball players are being paid millions of dollars under the NIL program and none of that money goes to the arts. Once they turn pro, the disparity worsens. Was Michael Jordan a bigger deal than Miles Davis? Probably, but when a great basketball player receives millions and a great musician receives significantly less, then the system is out of whack.

Signature Cruise Experiences is researching ways for us and those entities like us to even the scales a bit. One way to fight entities that do not provide proper payment to musicians is to not be one of them. We have been successfully doing that for 26 years.

But we want to do more. We have some ideas now, but we will get back to you when we can clearly see the path we need to take.

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.

Special Offer! Act Now!

Botti at Sea III is Your Last Chance to Sail in ’26!

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Josh Groban – Elvis Costello – Boz Scaggs – Melody Gardot & more
Los Angeles – San Francisco – Victoria – Vancouver

Six of the eight programs Signature Cruise Experiences is producing in ’26 have been completed. Of the two remaining sailings, one, The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3, is fully reserved. The other, Chris Botti at Sea III, is our last sailing in ’26 and has a few remaining staterooms.

Final CloseOut Prices & Sail Now, Pay Later

On a first come, first served basis, you may select one of the remaining Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms, reserve the stateroom at Final Closeout Cruise Prices, pay a portion of the Cruise now and the rest AFTER the cruise.

Sail Now/Pay Later Program 

Deposit Upon Reservation
25% of Balance Prior to Sailing
Remaining 75% Paid in 3 Equal Installments
(October 28, December 10, January 10 ’27)

With the addition of recently announced Josh Groban, the lineup joining Chris on the cruise is a list of music icons: Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs, Melody Gardot and many others. 

The Chris Botti at Sea cruise has been dubbed the “Perfect Cruise On Sea and On Land” as it not only provides the finest at sea experience, but it offers a variety of amazing excursions created by us just for you.

When in San Francisco, guests may take winery tours in Napa and Sonoma, spend the day on the Napa Valley Wine Train, sample the finest cuisine in San Francisco and much more. Another menu of excursions awaits guests when the cruise docks in Victoria, BC. Trust us, this is the perfect cruise experience!

SPECIAL NOTE: A limited number of Veranda Plus Staterooms, which include a Reserved Seat for the Nightly Main Shows, are still available. The Sail Now/Pay Later option is not available for Veranda Plus Staterooms.

Helen Sung Big Band’s Oracles

Helen Sung, who performed on The Jazz Cruise earlier this year with Dee Dee and as an All-Star, has just released Oracles, her tenth album as a leader. A regular member of the acclaimed Mingus Big Band for several years, the pianist leads her own big band in a celebration of jazz legends (and mentors) Clark Terry, Ron Carter, Jimmy Heath, Wayne Shorter, Barry Harris, Kenny Barron, Herbie Hancock and Sir Roland Hanna.

“Jazz is the most generous of art forms, able to integrate other musical traditions, while still retaining its core identity and values,” Helen explains. “This album expresses my deep gratitude and is a tribute to the masters who made room for me and entrusted me with a tradition they helped build.”

Hannah Marks’ Feed the Fire

Bassist Hannah Marks also appeared on The Jazz Cruise with Dee Dee and she too has released a new album, her second as a leader. Produced by one of her influential mentors, Jason Moran, Feed the Fire features the bassist with her quartet of Nathan Reising (alto saxophone), Lex Korten (piano) and Steven Crammer (drums). All of the compositions, written by Hannah since she moved to NYC in 2019 (at Moran’s urging), are informed and defined by the energy of the city.

Grooving, odd meters and raucous swing conjure up the hustle, bustle and energy of the streets, while free and ethereal songs reflect the few quiet moments stolen in city parks.

Hannah says that “Feed the Fire is a culmination of many meaningful musical experiences I’ve had over the past decade, and a representation of pushing and dedicating myself as an artist to find new musical colors, shades and directions within this music that I love and revere.”

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

SCE Sailings in ’26

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3

9.11.26 – 9.18.26
Vancouver – Victoria – San Francisco – Los Angeles

Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 is Fully Reserved.

If you wish to join the cruise, go to the website and JOIN WAITLIST for any stateroom category you wish. All cancellations for this cruise will be filled from the waitlist.

Botti at Sea ’26

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Los Angeles – San Francisco – Victoria – Vancouver

In addition to the recently announced Josh Groban, joining Chris on the cruise are several music icons: Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs and Melody Gardot and many others. When in San Francisco, guests may take winery tours in Napa and Sonoma, spend the day on the Napa Valley Wine Train, sample the finest cuisine in San Francisco and much more. Another menu of excursions awaits guests when the cruise docks in Victoria, BC. Trust us, this is the perfect music experience!

---

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore

1.12.27 – 1.17.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Costa Maya – Tampa

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’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.

The star-studded lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Leslie Odom Jr., Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.

---

The Jazz Cruise ’27

1.17.27 – 1.24.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Belize – Costa Maya – Tampa

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 Jazz Cruise has reached Fully Reserved every year it has sailed and The Jazz Cruise ’27 is on its way to reaching that goal again.

---

Journey of Jazz ’27

1.24.27 – 1.31.27
Tampa – New Orleans – Progreso – Tampa

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, 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.

---

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
Tampa – Ocho Rios – Grand Cayman – Tampa
  ’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)
Tampa – Grand Cayman – Ocho Rios – Tampa

The Greatest Party at Sea presents its customary back-to-back weeklong programs in the Caribbean. Tampa is the port of embarkation and disembarkation for the first time and both sailings will call on Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.

The star studded lineup is led by hosts Marcus Miller and Boney James and features Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer, Kirk Whalum, Peter White and more.

Both sailings are in Open Booking and both are nearly 95% reserved at this time.

---

Botti at Sea ’27

10.6.27 – 10.13.27
Boston – Portland – Saint John – Sydney –
Charlottetown – Quebec City

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 (8.15.26) for more programming and reservation procedure details.

---

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3

10.13.27 – 10.20.27
Quebec City – Charlottetown – Sydney –
Saint John – Portland – Boston

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3 program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events. Marcus Miller, Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer and others will lead the team for another edition of this iconic program.

This cruise is currently in Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.

The post Our Take: The Eyes Have It! appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

Though not finalized, over the weekend I reviewed our current programming for The Jazz Cruise ’27. It is spectacular. More than 100 jazz musicians. More than 210 hours of music and entertainment. As Randy Brecker says, it is “Jazz Heaven.”

You know a cruise program is special when you spend “planning time” finding ways for guests to enjoy a great dinner on the ship. With so many performers and so many shows to schedule, it is difficult to create a space where there is no music or, at the very least, the choices are reduced to a minimum that would encourage taking a moment for a sit-down meal (as opposed to an Ocean View Café walk through).

We will unveil our plan in the next few weeks, but we cannot help but recognize the irony of working to find time to eat on a cruise! It would be like scheduling “playing in the sand” at the beach or “having a drink” in a bar.

This dilemma reenforces the strength of the musical programming on The Jazz Cruise. All our programs are music centric, but none more so than The Jazz Cruise. From the very start, back in 2001, the cruise was created by jazz fans for jazz fans. We have added frills, enhanced greatly the production value of the performances and continued to provide alternative, though compatible, programming, but never at the expense of the music.

We are drawing a line at dining. The food on the ship is great, both in the Cosmopolitan Dining Room and in the several Specialty Restaurants. Taking a moment to enjoy a meal, share conversation with fellow guests or just catching your breath is important. One hint at our solution, we are increasing our daytime schedule of shows and, as if you must be told, the total number of hours of music will increase under this plan.

The Jazz Cruise…a fun and exciting cruise for serious jazz fans.

Michael Lazaroff
Executive Director
Signature Cruise Experiences

Food, Drinks and Music

As Michael points out above, our guests have almost too much to choose from when it comes to deciding where (and when) to eat and drink, as well as when to catch the music. In our programming meetings, there is much discussion about scheduling and whether to allow for breaks in the shows and activities, but when we have dozens of the greatest jazz musicians in the world aboard, we always opt for more rather than less. 

The artists occasionally complain about being overscheduled, until they actually do the shows and events, from which they always come away grateful for the opportunities. Because we don’t just ask our artists to perform their music. We also ask them to talk about their music in interviews and listening sessions. And to Michael’s point about food (and drinks are implied), we ask our artists to host events in which our guests both partake and learn about everything from wine to whisky to, yes, pizza. For example, during The Jazz Cruise earlier this year, John Pizzarelli was the host for a pizza-making demonstration presented by one of the ship’s chefs in the Tuscan Grille. John always likes to joke that the only reason Frank Sinatra remembered his name was that it has “pizza” in it. During both sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise, fellow Italian-American Vincent Ingala filled that same role. 

When it comes to wine, Mindi Abair (and her husband Eric Guerra) are legitimate experts in the field. Eric has had a long career managing wineries and the two present events on land bringing together wine and jazz. They also host a Wine and Music Club in which they curate playlists, do wine tastings and help jazz fans experience fine wines and great music. Naturally, the two will be hosting very special Wine and Jazz events during every sailing of The Smooth Jazz Cruise.

On the upcoming West Coast sailing of The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 in September, we have a wide range of special artist-hosted events, including an Afternoon Tea with Boney James, California Crabs and Wine Tasting with Brian Culbertson, It’s All About the Coffee with Marcus Anderson, Galley to Table Lunch with Richard Elliot and World Wine Tour with Jonathan Butler. 

The following week on Botti at Sea III, Alonzo Bodden will step into the pizza-making host duties, Benny Benack III leads the way with the California Crabs and Wine Tasting hour, Candy Dulfer will enjoy an Afternoon Tea and Caroline Campbell will present Women of Wine, just to name a few of the special sessions.

Of course, with both West Coast programs, the shore excursions offer even more opportunities to experience fine dining and sipping, thanks to the Napa Valley Wine Train and Michael Bauer’s culinary tour of San Francisco.

The onboard artist-hosted events during our ’27 sailings have not been finalized yet, but you can be sure that every day there will be plenty of opportunities for our guests to mingle with the artists, whether it be Bourbon Tasting, Food and Wine Pairing, Galley to Table Kitchen Tour, Martini Masterclass, Macallan Tasting or Mixology 101. Those inclined could even cap off the day with Cigars Under the Stars. The immersive aspect of our cruise programs does not stop with the live music.

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

SCE Sailings in ’26

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3

9.11.26 – 9.18.26
Vancouver – Victoria – San Francisco – Los Angeles

Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 is Fully Reserved.

If you wish to join the cruise, go to the website and JOIN WAITLIST for any stateroom category you wish. All cancellations for this cruise will be filled from the waitlist.

Botti at Sea ’26

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Los Angeles – San Francisco – Victoria – Vancouver

JUST ANNOUNCED: JOSH GROBAN!

When The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 docks in Los Angeles, we will turn around and head back to Vancouver (via San Francisco and Victoria, BC) under the guidance of superstar Chris Botti. Chris Botti at Sea III will be the perfect combination of a topflight music cruise and exciting excursions.  

---

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore

1.12.27 – 1.17.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Costa Maya – Tampa

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’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.

The star-studded lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Leslie Odom Jr., Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.

---

The Jazz Cruise ’27

1.17.27 – 1.24.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Belize – Costa Maya – Tampa

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 Jazz Cruise has reached Fully Reserved every year it has sailed and The Jazz Cruise ’27 is on its way to reaching that goal again.

---

Journey of Jazz ’27

1.24.27 – 1.31.27
Tampa – New Orleans – Progreso – Tampa

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, 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.

---

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
Tampa – Ocho Rios – Grand Cayman – Tampa
  ’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)
Tampa – Grand Cayman – Ocho Rios – Tampa

The Greatest Party at Sea presents its customary back-to-back weeklong programs in the Caribbean. Tampa is the port of embarkation and disembarkation for the first time and both sailings will call on Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.

The star studded lineup is led by hosts Marcus Miller and Boney James and features Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer, Kirk Whalum, Peter White and more.

Both sailings are in Open Booking and both are 95% reserved at this time.

---

Botti at Sea ’27

10.6.27 – 10.13.27
Boston – Portland – Saint John – Sydney –
Charlottetown – Quebec City

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 (8.15.26) for more programming and reservation procedure details.

---

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3

10.13.27 – 10.20.27
Quebec City – Charlottetown – Sydney –
Saint John – Portland – Boston

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3 program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events. Marcus Miller, Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer and others will lead the team for another edition of this iconic program.

This cruise is currently in Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.

The post Jazz Notes 7.15.26 appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

A recent article in USA TODAY shared the announcement by United Kingdom cruise line, Marella Cruises, that it was “earmarking one of its ships, Marella Discovery 2, for adults only cruises.” The article outlined Marella’s plans to replace the kid’s spaces with an arts and crafts area, karaoke, meeting rooms and a speakeasy.

“The cruise line (Marella) joins a small number of cruise lines that cater just to adults – such as Virgin Voyages – or have designated adults-only ships.”

I smiled when I read this article. The writer was presenting, as news, the idea that someone would take a cruise ship and create a program just for adults, while altering the kid’s rooms for adult activities.

This “new” idea has been around at least as long ago as 2001 when The Jazz Cruise first sailed as a full ship charter. With more than 105 subsequent sailings of all adult full ship charters now completed, Signature Cruise Experiences understands fully the idea that some folks want to be on a ship where all the activities are geared to their interests and that they can be on an elevator where all the buttons have not been pushed and in a restaurant where, for the most part, people are quietly enjoying their meal.

From the very start of our operations, we adhered strictly to the “no kids” policy. Once in a while a performer would need to bring a child, but that exception usually carried with it the requirement of a babysitter or nanny. Children have never been permitted to roam the ship after dinner and were precluded from attending the shows.

This was not done to promote risqué behavior, but was imposed to maintain the proper atmosphere for enjoying music, dancing, adult conversation and sharing a drink. Nothing untoward on our programs has ever been promoted or tolerated, but neither has the inclusion of toddlers as part of the manifest of guests. 

As for altering the children’s sections of the ship, we take all the Kids Club areas and convert them into rehearsal rooms for the performers. We also use those rooms for storage of instrument cases and other equipment. Looking over the paraphernalia we scatter in that space, I cannot help but believe that the kids would prefer playing with our stuff to whatever toys and games are made available for them on regular cruises.

There are the Disney cruises and there are the Signature Cruise Experiences cruises. Both have their proper place and following. Seldom is there an overlap of guests.

For those of you preparing to pounce on me for our apparent hypocritical actions in allowing “underage” performers to sail on the ship, we call that gambit our “Piano and Mom” exception. Yes, Taylor Eigsti, Emmet Cohen, Brandon Goldberg and Joey Alexander all performed on our cruise programs, though they were too young to be cruise guests otherwise. 

Long live the exceptions that prove the rule.

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.

Where’s Alonzo?

Alonzo Bodden, our comedian-in-residence, will be appearing at the Grand Comedy Club in Escondido, CA on July 24-25, and the Punchline in Irving, TX on July 30-August 1. He looks forward to seeing folks from our cruises at his shows.

“Temperatures are up, prices are up, so it’s time for some cool laughs and I work cheap,” Alonzo says.  “Let’s reflect on the Reflecting Pool. I’ve got lots of new material and we’ll have a great time.”  You can also catch Alonzo in his recurring role as a panelist on NPR’s popular show Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me.

Bria Skonberg’s Indigo

On her latest album, Indigo, trumpeter Bria Skonberg showcases her gifts as a vocalist, backed by a chamber-like ensemble of strings, alto flute and bass clarinet, anchored by a rhythm section featuring Eric Wheeler on bass and Darrian Douglas on drums, and of course Bria on trumpet. A companion to Brass, her trumpet-focused album released earlier this year, Indigo was produced by her longtime collaborator Matt Pierson and features arrangements by Gil Goldstein, who has worked with a veritable who’s who in modern jazz.

“Approaching my voice as a standalone instrument opened up possibilities I hadn’t made space for before, such as developing timbres, exploring my full range, and writing more intricate soli lines,” Bria says. “I loved hearing and navigating Gil’s arrangements, which feels like finding a pathway through a mystical forest. One of the greatest gifts was working on lyrics with Ann Hampton Callaway whom I first heard live on The Jazz Cruise. I knew in that moment she was a genius and it’s been a dream ever since to collaborate with her. She added the verse to ‘So It Goes’ which adds another layer of meaning and elegance.”

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

SCE Sailings in ’26

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3

9.11.26 – 9.18.26
Vancouver – Victoria – San Francisco – Los Angeles

Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 is Fully Reserved.

If you wish to join the cruise, go to the website and JOIN WAITLIST for any stateroom category you wish. All cancellations for this cruise will be filled from the waitlist.

Botti at Sea ’26

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Los Angeles – San Francisco – Victoria – Vancouver

STATEROOM CLOSEOUT SALE IN EFFECT
For more information, see above.

In addition to the recently announced Josh Groban, joining Chris on the cruise are several music icons: Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs and Melody Gardot, and many others. When in San Francisco, guests may take winery tours in Napa and Sonoma, spend the day on the Napa Valley Wine Train, sample the finest cuisine in San Francisco and much more. Another menu of excursions awaits guests when the cruise docks in Victoria, BC. Trust us, this is the perfect music experience!

SPECIAL NOTE: Chris Botti at Sea III is the only Signature Cruise Experiences’ program that has staterooms available in ’26. A limited number of Veranda Plus, Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms may be reserved at CloseOut Cruise Prices for both Past Guests and New Guests. A payment plan that allows for the final payment to be made after the cruise is also available. Act now!

---

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore

1.12.27 – 1.17.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Costa Maya – Tampa

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’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.

The star-studded lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Leslie Odom Jr., Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.

---

The Jazz Cruise ’27

1.17.27 – 1.24.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Belize – Costa Maya – Tampa

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 Jazz Cruise has reached Fully Reserved every year it has sailed and The Jazz Cruise ’27 is on its way to reaching that goal again.

---

Journey of Jazz ’27

1.24.27 – 1.31.27
Tampa – New Orleans – Progreso – Tampa

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, 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.

---

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
Tampa – Ocho Rios – Grand Cayman – Tampa
  ’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)
Tampa – Grand Cayman – Ocho Rios – Tampa

The Greatest Party at Sea presents its customary back-to-back weeklong programs in the Caribbean. Tampa is the port of embarkation and disembarkation for the first time and both sailings will call on Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.

The star studded lineup is led by hosts Marcus Miller and Boney James and features Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer, Kirk Whalum, Peter White and more.

Both sailings are in Open Booking and both are nearly 95% reserved at this time.

---

Botti at Sea ’27

10.6.27 – 10.13.27
Boston – Portland – Saint John – Sydney –
Charlottetown – Quebec City

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 (8.15.26) for more programming and reservation procedure details.

---

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3

10.13.27 – 10.20.27
Quebec City – Charlottetown – Sydney –
Saint John – Portland – Boston

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3 program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events. Marcus Miller, Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer and others will lead the team for another edition of this iconic program.

This cruise is currently in Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.

The post Our Take: 7.11.26 appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

Vail Jazz Organization (20+ years)
Los Angeles Jazz Society (20+ years)
Berks JazzFest (20+ years)
California Jazz Foundation (20+ years)
Jazz House KiDS (5+ years)
SFJAZZ (5+ years)
Monterey Jazz Festival (5+ years)
Detroit Jazz Festival (5+ years)

Recently, we broadened our support to various charities that were consistent with the new cruise programs we are producing. Proudly listed below are the entities we currently support.

Jazz Foundation of America

For 37 years, the Jazz Foundation of America (JFA) has provided financial support and other services to jazz musicians in need. With compassion and discretion, JFA makes it possible to pay someone’s rent and keep them from eviction or homelessness when illness, accident or old age prevents them from working. Its social work services and Musicians’ Emergency Fund provide housing assistance, pro bono medical care, disaster relief and financial support to musicians and their families in times of crisis. In the past year, JFA assisted in more than 7,000 cases. Through its “Jazz and Blues in the Schools” and “Gig Fund” performance programs, JFA creates purpose and dignified employment for hundreds of musicians every month and brings free concerts to thousands of underserved audience members at public schools, hospitals, nursing homes, museums, parks, libraries and community centers across the country.

On May 21, JFA hosted a gala and concert at Jazz at Lincoln Center to raise funds for its operations and services. The organization honored Norah Jones with its 2026 Dr. Billy Taylor Humanitarian Award honoree. In addition, the concert featured: a centennial tribute to Miles Davis with Gary Bartz and Patrice Rushen; Buster Williams‘ Something More with Lenny White; A Tribute to Ernest Ranglin featuring 17-year old guitar phenom Marel Hidalgo; and a tribute to Cal Tjader and Willie Bobo featuring Juan Diego Villalobos and Sammy Figueroa. Drummer and producer Steve Jordan (Rolling Stones) served as artistic director for the concert.

SCE donated cabins on the upcoming sailings of The Jazz Cruise and Journey of Jazz for the gala auction, enabling the organization to raise considerable funds for its worthy programs. 

The Find Your Light Foundation

With Josh Groban joining Chris Botti to perform during Botti at Sea III, we are supporting the Find Your Light Foundation, which Josh founded to provide support for arts education programs across the United States, concentrating on underserved communities where quality art programs are often unavailable or have been reduced or eliminated.

“I was lucky to grow up in an arts education household – my mother was a visual art teacher, my father played trumpet, and my brother is a filmmaker,” Josh explains. “It is our pride and joy to have started this foundation and with a small but mighty team we endeavor to make arts education accessible to young people across the country.” Already in 2026, the organization has already donated $1.5 million towards arts education programs.

On October 19, 2026, Find Your Light will bring together acclaimed artists, students and supporters for the Third Annual Benefit Concert for Arts Education at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Hosted by Josh, the evening will celebrate the belief that every young person deserves access to the arts, with all proceeds supporting Find Your Light’s advocacy and arts education initiatives nationwide. The event will honor Wynton Marsalis with the Find Your Light Award for his extraordinary contributions to arts education and present the Arts for Healing Award to the Oliver Sacks Foundation. 

Find Your Light is the designated charity for Chris Botti at Sea III. Money will be raised through onboard auctions, guest contributions and matching funds from us.

The David Foster Foundation

he David Foster Foundation is dedicated to providing financial support to Canadian families with children in need of life-saving organ transplants. In addition to helping families with their non-medical expenses, the Foundation strives to increase public awareness and education about the importance of becoming a registered organ donor in Canada and the United States.

For the past 38 years, the David Foster Foundation has assisted over 1,450 families with children in need of major organ transplants and provided much-needed dollars in direct family support. The Foundation works in collaboration with the transplant teams at children’s hospitals across Canada to provide support to children under 18 years of age, from the time they are listed for pediatric transplant and up to and including their post-operative checkups.
 
David Foster Foundation is the designated charity for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise. Money will be raised through gifts of staterooms to the foundation, guest contributions and matching funds from us.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a pediatric treatment and research hospital headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. Founded by entertainer Danny Thomas in 1962, it is a 501(c)(3) designated nonprofit medical corporation which focuses on children’s catastrophic diseases, particularly leukemia and other cancers. In the 2021 fiscal year, St. Jude received $2 billion in donations. Daily operating costs average $1.7 million, but patients are not charged for care. St. Jude’s covers some, but not all cancer-related costs. St. Jude treats patients up to age 21 and, for some conditions, up to age 25.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is one of the official charities for Top Shelf Country Cruise. The ’26 sailing of Top Shelf Country Cruise contributed over $250,000 to St. Jude, money that was raised by an on-ship auction and additional contributions from guests.

Folds of Honor

Folds of Honor is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational scholarships to the spouses and children of U.S. military service members and first responders who have fallen or become disabled while serving our country and communities. Since 2007, the organization has awarded nearly 73,000 scholarships totaling more than $340 million across all 50 states. 

Folds of Honor is also an official charity partner of Top Shelf Country Cruise. Funds will be raised through donated staterooms, guest contributions and matching funds from us. Through this partnership, we are proud to introduce the first Top Shelf Country Cruise Folds of Honor Scholarship, helping support students from military and first responder families as they pursue their education and future goals.

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

SCE Sailings in ’26

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3

9.11.26 – 9.18.26
Vancouver – Victoria – San Francisco – Los Angeles

Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 is Fully Reserved.

If you wish to join the cruise, go to the website and JOIN WAITLIST for any stateroom category you wish. All cancellations for this cruise will be filled from the waitlist.

Botti at Sea ’26

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Los Angeles – San Francisco – Victoria – Vancouver

STATEROOM CLOSEOUT SALE IN EFFECT
For more information, see above.

---

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore

1.12.27 – 1.17.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Costa Maya – Tampa

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’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.

The star-studded lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Leslie Odom Jr., Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.

---

The Jazz Cruise ’27

1.17.27 – 1.24.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Belize – Costa Maya – Tampa

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 Jazz Cruise has reached Fully Reserved every year it has sailed and The Jazz Cruise ’27 is on its way to reaching that goal again.

---

Journey of Jazz ’27

1.24.27 – 1.31.27
Tampa – New Orleans – Progreso – Tampa

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, 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.

---

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
Tampa – Ocho Rios – Grand Cayman – Tampa
  ’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)
Tampa – Grand Cayman – Ocho Rios – Tampa

The Greatest Party at Sea presents its customary back-to-back weeklong programs in the Caribbean. Tampa is the port of embarkation and disembarkation for the first time and both sailings will call on Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.

The star studded lineup is led by hosts Marcus Miller and Boney James and features Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer, Kirk Whalum, Peter White and more.

Both sailings are in Open Booking and both are nearly 95% reserved at this time.

---

Botti at Sea ’27

10.6.27 – 10.13.27
Boston – Portland – Saint John – Sydney –
Charlottetown – Quebec City

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 (8.15.26) for more programming and reservation procedure details.

---

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3

10.13.27 – 10.20.27
Quebec City – Charlottetown – Sydney –
Saint John – Portland – Boston

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3 program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events. Marcus Miller, Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer and others will lead the team for another edition of this iconic program.

This cruise is currently in Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.

The post Jazz Notes 7.8.26 The Joy of Giving Back appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

But I did locate a fabulous YouTube video, The Hang with Brian Culbertson – July 4th Poolside – July 5, 2024 – YouTube. BC’s 71-minute poolside July 4th hang is fabulous. It is a July 4th/BC Style celebration and songfest. I urge you to take a peek at the video and enjoy.

Part of me wants to comment on the meaning of today and what it means to be an American right now. I am refraining from doing so, not because of the fear of creating controversy or starting a debate, but because I believe that each of us has the right to have our own opinions and sense of the issue. The guardrails are our laws. As long as you are operating within those boundaries, it is up to you what being an American means.

Some believe that there was once a shared vision. Some would point to World War II as the apex. Yet the status of women and minorities at that time belies the notion that we were all on the same page. In the end, we do not have to believe in the same things, but we do have to accept the notion that others are entitled to their own beliefs.

These words of former Senator Patrick Moynihan are important to me:
 

“You are entitled to your own opinions, but not your own facts.”

There was a time when applying this test was easy. Not so much anymore. Facts seem to be elusive and malleable.

So, on the 250th Birthday of America, perhaps we can agree on a few facts:

• Music is critical to the health and wellbeing of society.
• Though all music is precious, live music is the best.
• We should continue to do whatever it takes to teach music to our children and to the world.
  

The only other universal facts that I know are that smoking and mayonnaise are bad for you. Can we all agree?

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.

On-Demand Livestream:
All About Signature Cruise Experiences

If you missed this week’s All About Signature Cruise Experiences livestream, or just want to catch all the fun again, this livestream is now available for you to view on-demand! 

For more than 25 years, Signature Cruise Experiences has been creating extraordinary journeys that bring together legendary artists, passionate fans and incredible destinations. During this livestream, we show what sets our cruises apart — from world-class performances by industry icons and intimate artist interactions you won’t find anywhere else, to exceptional service, immersive programming and unforgettable ports of call.

Watch our livestream on-demand to get an insider’s look at our collection of themed cruises, hear stories from the Signature community and enjoy a special surprise appearance from one of our talented artists!

Catherine Russell’s Live at Jazz at Lincoln Center

Catherine Russell, one of our hosts of The Jazz Cruise, has released Live at Jazz at Lincoln Center, an album recorded live in 2024 at the Appel Room in NYC.

The concert featured a program Catherine curated in honor of the Hot Club of New York, a community of enthusiasts who gather weekly to listen to vintage jazz and blues 78s. Backed by a septet playing in a more traditional jazz style, Catherine sings some lesser known gems originally recorded by Hot Lips Page, Blanche Callaway, Cab Callaway, Helen Humes, Eddie Barefield, her father Luis Russell and others.

“Every meeting that I go to, I come out with something that either I have never heard the tune or I’ve never heard of the artist,” she explains. “Then I can go and research these artists further and see what else is in their catalog that I might be able to do. Because I figure why not do other things that people have never heard of or they haven’t heard in 100 years or something like that.”

Paul Kahn’s Willingness

In turn, Catherine has produced an EP by her husband and manager Paul Kahn, Willingness, featuring songs he’s written over the years.

Paul has a long history as both a roots music performer and booking agent and the material mixes a wide range of styles from that background, including reggae, folk, blues, pop and more.

“Paul had written a whole bunch of songs, during a very fertile period of songwriting,” Catherine says. “And the songs kind of sat there. Recently he found them in a storage unit, and he brought them home and played them. I said, ‘Wait a second, these are good songs.’ And we got the idea to record some of them.”

The two enlisted guitarist Matt Munisteri and bassist Russell Hall from Catherine’s band, as well as four other noted musicians. Catherine herself sang and played mandolin on the recording.

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

SCE Sailings in ’26

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3

9.11.26 – 9.18.26
Vancouver – Victoria – San Francisco – Los Angeles
34th Sailing of The Greatest Party at Sea

Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 is Fully Reserved.

If you wish to join the cruise, go to the website and JOIN WAITLIST for any stateroom category you wish. All cancellations for this cruise will be filled from the waitlist.

Botti at Sea ’26

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Los Angeles – San Francisco – Victoria – Vancouver
Josh Groban Just Announced! Stateroom CloseOut in Effect!

In addition to the recently announced Josh Groban, joining Chris on the cruise are several music icons: Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs and Melody Gardot, and many others. When in San Francisco, guests may take winery tours in Napa and Sonoma, spend the day on the Napa Valley Wine Train, sample the finest cuisine in San Francisco and much more. Another menu of excursions awaits guests when the cruise docks in Victoria, BC. Trust us, this is the perfect music experience!

---

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore

1.12.27 – 1.17.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Costa Maya – Tampa
One Sailing is Not Enough

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’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.

The star-studded lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Leslie Odom Jr., Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.

---

The Jazz Cruise ’27

1.17.27 – 1.24.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Belize – Costa Maya – Tampa
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 Jazz Cruise has reached Fully Reserved every year it has sailed and The Jazz Cruise ’27 is on its way to reaching that goal again.

---

Journey of Jazz ’27

1.24.27 – 1.31.27
Tampa – New Orleans – Progreso – Tampa
Time to Take the Journey

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, 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.

---

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
Tampa – Ocho Rios – Grand Cayman – Tampa
  ’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)
Tampa – Grand Cayman – Ocho Rios – Tampa
The Greatest Party at Sea – No Doubt!

The Greatest Party at Sea presents its customary back-to-back weeklong programs in the Caribbean. Tampa is the port of embarkation and disembarkation for the first time and both sailings will call on Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.

The star studded lineup is led by hosts Marcus Miller and Boney James and features Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer, Kirk Whalum, Peter White and more.

Both sailings are in Open Booking and both are nearly 95% reserved at this time.

---

Botti at Sea ’27

10.6.27 – 10.13.27
Boston – Portland – Saint John – Sydney – Charlottetown – Quebec City
Chris Botti Takes His Cruise from Boston to Canada

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 (8.15.26) for more programming and reservation procedure details.

---

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3

10.13.27 – 10.20.27
Quebec City – Charlottetown – Sydney – Saint John – Portland – Boston
The Smooth Jazz Cruise Heads to Canada in the Fall

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3 program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events. Marcus Miller, Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer and others will lead the team for another edition of this iconic program.

This cruise is currently in Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.

The post Our Take: July 4th Edition appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

Taking time off now works for us since 6 of our 8 scheduled programs in ’26 are completed. What remains are The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 and Botti at Sea ’26, two exciting programs that feature our customary first class music lineups but also provide land-based excursions that we have created just for our guests when we overnight in San Francisco and spend a full day in Victoria.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3, as always, is hosted by Marcus Miller and Boney James, features Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler and Candy Dulfer, along with Mindi Abair, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Comic Alonzo Bodden and several featured performers and support bands. Speaking of bands, our Special Guests are WAR and Tower of Power.

Chris Botti at Sea III features an amazing lineup of Adult Contemporary performers, including icons Elvis Costello and Boz Scaggs. International star Melody Gardot will be making her second appearance on Chris’ cruise, as will Emmet Cohen, Veronica Swift, Benny Benack III, Morgan James and Chris’ band members (John Splithoff, Julian Pollack, Daniel Chmielinski, Sy Smith and Caroline Campbell). 

Chris and we are proud and excited that Josh Groban has cleared his schedule and will be able to perform on the cruise. This engagement has been a long time in the making and should be one of the highlights of this cruise program.

New this year are Candy Dulfer, Kandace Springs, Harold Lopez-Nussa, Edmar Castaneda and Gregoire Maret. Music Director Eric Marienthal has assembled two great bands for the cruise, SCE All Stars (Wycliffe Gordon, Terell Stafford, Taylor Eigsti, Reuben Rogers and Herlin Riley) and SCE Band (Carnell Harrell, Darnell Taylor, David Dyson and Chris Miskel).

Both The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 and Chris Botti at Sea III will be amazing cruises this fall. The musical influences will be different, but, as shown above, the star power on both sailings is substantial. There are, however, two significant differences between the programs, one logistical and the other rather practical.

On the logistics front, The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 starts in Vancouver, then visits Victoria and San Francisco before ending in Los Angeles. Chris Botti at Sea III does the opposite. The cruise starts in Los Angeles and visits San Francisco and Victoria before ending in Vancouver. As you might imagine, many guests are sailing both legs for two magical weeks.

The other difference is practical, very practical. Chris Botti at Sea III has some staterooms available. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 has none and has been Fully Reserved for months. That makes Chris Botti at Sea III your last chance in ’27 to sail with us! For more information about CloseOut Cruise Prices, see below.

Did I mention that I am in Park City, Utah right now visiting my daughter? The time off will do me some good as well.

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.

Groban & Elvis & Boz, Oh My! 
Chris & Melody & Caroline & Sy!

Okay, the headline is a little corny for sure, but it could have been worse. The first draft had “Elvis is on the ship” and “Wizard of Boz.” We make no excuses for being giddy. Chris Botti at Sea III is Adult Contemporary Music heaven!

A few Veranda Plus, Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms are available. Reserving a Veranda Plus Stateroom (formerly known as Concierge and AquaClass Staterooms) also includes a Reserved Seat for the Nightly Main Shows.

Be alert to Special Cruise Prices for Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms. Eligibility varies based upon sailing history, stateroom location and other factors. You should have received an email earlier this week indicating your individual options.

Inventory is limited, so act now. Due to the need to finalize the sign ups for the excursions in San Francisco and Victoria, we may need to close the reservations earlier than customary.

We Aren’t Joshin’!
Become a GroFan!

Within days of the announcement that Josh was performing on the cruise, Josh Groban fans were organizing and asking if there was going to be a connection to his non-profit, the Find Your Light Foundation.

That’s how the GroFan Club was born.

The GroFan mission is simple:
Enjoy Josh’s performance on Botti at Sea III to the fullest, and show your appreciation by supporting the Find Your Light Foundation.

GroFan benefits, including chances to win a Botti at Sea III headliner meet-and-greet, are waiting for you this September. Book your stateroom, make a contribution to Find Your Light and you’ll unlock those benefits as a GroFan.

On-Demand Livestream:
All About Signature Cruise Experiences

If you missed this week’s All About Signature Cruise Experiences livestream, or just want to catch all the fun again, this livestream is now available for you to view on-demand! 

For more than 25 years, Signature Cruise Experiences has been creating extraordinary journeys that bring together legendary artists, passionate fans and incredible destinations. During this livestream, we show what sets our cruises apart — from world-class performances by industry icons and intimate artist interactions you won’t find anywhere else, to exceptional service, immersive programming and unforgettable ports of call.

Watch our livestream on-demand to get an insider’s look at our collection of themed cruises, hear stories from the Signature community and enjoy a special surprise appearance from one of our talented artists!

July Jazz Festivals in Europe

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

SCE Sailings in ’26

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3

9.11.26 – 9.18.26
Vancouver – Victoria – San Francisco – Los Angeles
34th Sailing of The Greatest Party at Sea

Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 is Fully Reserved.

If you wish to join the cruise, go to the website and JOIN WAITLIST for any stateroom category you wish. All cancellations for this cruise will be filled from the waitlist.

Botti at Sea ’26

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Los Angeles – San Francisco – Victoria – Vancouver
Josh Groban Just Announced! Stateroom CloseOut in Effect!

In addition to the recently announced Josh Groban, joining Chris on the cruise are several music icons: Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs and Melody Gardot, and many others. When in San Francisco, guests may take winery tours in Napa and Sonoma, spend the day on the Napa Valley Wine Train, sample the finest cuisine in San Francisco and much more. Another menu of excursions awaits guests when the cruise docks in Victoria, BC. Trust us, this is the perfect music experience!

 SPECIAL NOTE: Chris Botti at Sea III is the only Signature Cruise Experiences’ program that has staterooms available in ’26. A limited number of Veranda Plus, Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms may be reserved at CloseOut Cruise Prices for both Past Guests and New Guests. A payment plan that allows for the final payment to be made after the cruise is also available. Act now!

---

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore

1.12.27 – 1.17.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Costa Maya – Tampa
One Sailing is Not Enough

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’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.

The star-studded lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Leslie Odom Jr., Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.

---

The Jazz Cruise ’27

1.17.27 – 1.24.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Belize – Costa Maya – Tampa
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 Jazz Cruise has reached Fully Reserved every year it has sailed and The Jazz Cruise ’27 is on its way to reaching that goal again.

---

Journey of Jazz ’27

1.24.27 – 1.31.27
Tampa – New Orleans – Progreso – Tampa
Time to Take the Journey

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, 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.

---

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
Tampa – Ocho Rios – Grand Cayman – Tampa
  ’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)
Tampa – Grand Cayman – Ocho Rios – Tampa
The Greatest Party at Sea – No Doubt!

The Greatest Party at Sea presents its customary back-to-back weeklong programs in the Caribbean. Tampa is the port of embarkation and disembarkation for the first time and both sailings will call on Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.

The star studded lineup is led by hosts Marcus Miller and Boney James and features Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer, Kirk Whalum, Peter White and more.

Both sailings are in Open Booking and both are nearly 95% reserved at this time.

---

Botti at Sea ’27

10.6.27 – 10.13.27
Boston – Portland – Saint John – Sydney –
Charlottetown – Quebec City
Chris Botti Takes His Cruise from Boston to Canada

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 (8.15.26) for more programming and reservation procedure details.

---

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3

10.13.27 – 10.20.27
Quebec City – Charlottetown – Sydney –
Saint John – Portland – Boston
The Smooth Jazz Cruise Heads to Canada in the Fall

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3 program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events. Marcus Miller, Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer and others will lead the team for another edition of this iconic program.

This cruise is currently in Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.

The post Our Take: On Holiday appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

John and Bucky Pizzarelli
Gerald and John Clayton
Candy and Hans Dulfer
Christian McBride and Lee Smith
Niki Haris and Gene Harris
Wynton and Ellis Marsalis
Bill and Moose Charlap
Benny III and Benny Jr. Benack
Catherine and Luis Russell
Brian and Jim Culbertson 

The Pizzarellis and Claytons are listed first for no reason other than both have not only performed on our cruises and, in each instance, they actually performed together.

If you look up the old saw “the acorn does not fall far from the tree,” you will see a photo of John and Bucky Pizzarelli. Same instrument. Similar favorite tunes. And, of course, the uncanny ability to entertain. I find the term “raconteur” to be not only a compliment, but also an honor.

Being able to hold an audience through the power of your personality and talent is no easy task. That each of them built a career doing so is admirable, but, even more impressive is that their comic talent has never overshadowed their musical talents. Both men are first-class musicians in every way and would be jazz icons under any set of measurements.

Bucky died during the Pandemic. I remember the day it happened. I love how John talks about him. Never maudlin, but always reverent. His eyes sparkle when he tells a “Bucky” story. It was always “Bucky,” never “Dad,” so you would assume that they were more pals and colleagues than father/son. Regardless, the level of respect and sheer admiration is always evident.

The Clayton Brothers Quintet had been a staple of The Jazz Cruise from its inception. John and Jeff Clayton would lead the group year after year along with performing with others as an All Star. It would be much later that John assumed the reins of the Big Band and Jeff would pass. We miss Jeff very much. We have never been able to find a band that had the allure that The Clayton Brothers Quintet possessed. 

A very young Gerald Clayton was on the piano with that group. Besides a burgeoning talent, Gerald had his father’s dignified demeanor for sure. On top of that, Gerald was the strong, silent type. Few words seem to be forthcoming, perhaps a sign of acknowledgement of his youth and respect for his elders, or just someone who kept his thoughts to himself. 

Even today, though Gerald has reached stardom in his own right, I find him using as few words as possible to express himself. Not surprisingly, the one time when his words were unbridled was when I asked him why pianists flock to see Brad Mehldau perform. The response was a very detailed explanation of the importance of the left hand and why Brad’s southpaw was at the top of the food chain. 

Being nothing more than an amateur drummer, the entire discussion was lost on me but seeing his passion and recognizing how significant technique was to him, I could not help but admire him greatly at that moment. 

Though I never saw and heard this, I am sure that both Bucky and John were tough judges of their sons’ musical efforts, not because they were being mean, but because each saw a talent that deserved attention. Father/Child pride is typically an earned emotion, whereas Mother/Child pride often requires no more effort than being born. 

Case in point, when my father’s music buddies would ask if I were a musician, Dad would immediately say “no…he is a drummer.” My mother would tell me that I played like Little Ricky on I Love Lucy. That was how parenting worked in the early ‘50s. 

Participation trophies and other forms of parental support would come along many years later, but by then my path was already set. 

Happy Father’s Day.

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.

Juneteenth and Jazz

by Linda S. Lawson

The month of June recognized as Black Music Appreciation Month intersecting with the now federally recognized holiday of Juneteenth is apropos and should come as no surprise. 

While formal emancipation occurred in 1863, it would be the nineteenth day of the sixth month in 1865 the last slaves located in Texas received word of their emancipation, sparking celebrations. Hence, the melding of the June and 19th into Juneteenth for its name with its official federal recognition occurring in 2021.

The significance of what that day represents and its continued musical symbolism of freedom’s march stands encompassed and documented in jazz music, serving as a bedrock before there was a recognition and still carrying those dreams and aspirations into present day. 

The sentiments, the hopes and the notes of the road to be trod are entrenched in its historical musical tapestry, intricately intertwined with its origins reaching back to the Motherland all the way to the shores of Congo Square. 

For a time, Juneteenth lost its early celebration before gaining a resurgence marked by the Civil Rights era. Dr. Martin Luther King recognized the genre’s importance during those times with its message and upliftment. 

“Jazz speaks for life. The Blues tell the story of life’s difficulties and, if you think for a moment, you will realize that they take the hardest realities of life and put them into music, only to come out with some new hope or sense of triumph,” he wrote. “It strengthened us with its sweet rhythms when courage began to fail and calmed us with its rich harmonies when spirits were down”. 

Let’s take a musical journey for a moment. Jazz and Civil Rights historians have called Billie Holliday’s interpretation of the anti-lynching song, “Strange Fruit,” a catalyst for the civil rights movement twenty years ahead of time. Max Roach’s “Freedom Now Suite,” Charles Mingus’ “Fables of Faubus,” along with John Coltrane’s “Alabama” play critical roles. Then there’s Duke Ellington and Mahalia Jackson’s duo of “Come Sunday,” along with Nina Simone’s cover of “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free.” They all stir in Juneteenth’s pot. 

More recently, Virtuoso Wynton Marsalis and civil rights attorney/jazz pianist Bryan Stevenson’s collaboration, “Freedom, Justice and Hope,” honored Juneteenth by paying homage to jazz musicians and vocalists who used their gifts for social justice.

Jazz remains the clarion call and the battle cry, weaving its own translations, both vocally and instrumentally of sanguinity and dreams, wins and losses and an ongoing quest of what freedom looks and feels like.

The last decade has spurred a rising recognition of the holiday with Juneteenth Jazz Festivals being established cross country. 

In an NPR interview, Pianist Orrin Evans spoke of finding a haven, even if for only at times, what Simone diligently sought in choosing Gary Bartz’s “Music Is My Sanctuary” as a personal anthem for Juneteenth. There, he enters a space unencumbered and strong, an escape when the weight of the world at times felt inescapable with a continuation to rest in the hope of those physically freed more than 161 years ago.  

Here’s his reasoning: “It reminded and empowered black people at the same time. I felt free when I listened. I heard the musicians express freely with their instruments. My mission was to find my freedom in the music, as my ancestors had. Music was our survival and it remains my sanctuary.”

Linda S. Lawson is a freelance writer and the founder of Angel Helper, dedicated to philanthropic journalism.

Livestream:
All About Signature Cruise Experiences
6.25.26 4PM ET

Curious about what makes a Signature Cruise Experiences voyage unlike any other vacation? Join the All About Signature Cruise Experiences livestream on June 25, 2026 at 4PM ET for a special live webinar designed to introduce you to the unforgettable world of music at sea.

For more than 25 years, Signature Cruise Experiences has been creating extraordinary journeys that bring together legendary artists, passionate fans and incredible destinations. During this livestream, you’ll discover what sets our cruises apart — from world-class performances by industry icons and intimate artist interactions you won’t find anywhere else, to exceptional service, immersive programming and unforgettable ports of call.

You’ll also get an insider’s look at our collection of themed cruises, hear stories from the Signature community and enjoy a special surprise appearance from one of our talented artists!

As our thank you for joining us live, one attendee will win a FREE stateroom aboard a future Signature Cruise Experiences sailing.

Whether you’re considering your first voyage or simply want to learn more about the Signature experience, we invite you to come aboard and see why our guests return year after year.

Reserve your spot today — we can’t wait to welcome you!

July Jazz Festivals in the U.S.

• Montclair Jazz Festival Soundcheck Series
  July 1, 14, 28
  Wellmont Plaza, Montclair, NJ
  
• Iowa City Jazz Festival
  July 3-5
  Downtown
  Iowa City, IA
  
• Syracuse Jazz Festival
  July 9-12
  Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards,
  LaFayette, NY
  
• Springfield Jazz and Roots
  July 10-11
  Court Square
  Springfield, MA
  
• Jazz in July
  July 14-25
  92NY
  New York, NY
  
• Litchfield Jazz Festival
  July 24-26
  Tisch Auditorium 
  Washington, CT

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

SCE Sailings in ’26

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3

9.11.26 – 9.18.26
Vancouver – Victoria – San Francisco – Los Angeles

Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 is Fully Reserved.

If you wish to join the cruise, go to the website and JOIN WAITLIST for any stateroom category you wish. All cancellations for this cruise will be filled from the waitlist.

Botti at Sea ’26

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Los Angeles – San Francisco – Victoria – Vancouver

STATEROOM CLOSEOUT SALE IN EFFECT
For more information, see above.

---

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore

1.12.27 – 1.17.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Costa Maya – Tampa

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’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.

The star-studded lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Leslie Odom Jr., Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.

---

The Jazz Cruise ’27

1.17.27 – 1.24.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Belize – Costa Maya – Tampa

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 Jazz Cruise has reached Fully Reserved every year it has sailed and The Jazz Cruise ’27 is on its way to reaching that goal again.

---

Journey of Jazz ’27

1.24.27 – 1.31.27
Tampa – New Orleans – Progreso – Tampa

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, 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.

---

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
Tampa – Ocho Rios – Grand Cayman – Tampa
  ’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)
Tampa – Grand Cayman – Ocho Rios – Tampa

The Greatest Party at Sea presents its customary back-to-back weeklong programs in the Caribbean. Tampa is the port of embarkation and disembarkation for the first time and both sailings will call on Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.

The star studded lineup is led by hosts Marcus Miller and Boney James and features Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer, Kirk Whalum, Peter White and more.

Both sailings are in Open Booking and both are nearly 95% reserved at this time.

---

Botti at Sea ’27

10.6.27 – 10.13.27
Boston – Portland – Saint John – Sydney –
Charlottetown – Quebec City

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 (8.15.26) for more programming and reservation procedure details.

---

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3

10.13.27 – 10.20.27
Quebec City – Charlottetown – Sydney –
Saint John – Portland – Boston

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3 program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events. Marcus Miller, Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer and others will lead the team for another edition of this iconic program.

This cruise is currently in Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.

The post Our Take: Father’s Day appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.