Recently, we added land-based excursions to our programming on several cruises. Sometimes words are used to describe something without regard to their true meaning. I wondered if “excursion” was one of those words. It was not. The Oxford Dictionary defines “excursion” as “a short journey or trip, especially one engaged in as a leisure activity.” […]

Jazz Appreciation Month: A Tale of Two Stories When I think about Jazz Appreciation Month, I wonder if that means that we should be proselytizing and advocating to others to appreciate jazz or if this is a call to consider what we appreciate about jazz? Both are legitimate and worthwhile pursuits. Trying to share the […]

It was the Summer of 2000 when we began to advertise our first cruise program, The Jazz Cruise 2001. We went to some office supply store and used their mimeograph machine to churn out 1,000 copies of a flyer. Sometimes I can still smell the ink. I would share whether I liked that fragrance or not, […]

The Anatomy of a Cruise Lineup Ever wonder how a lineup is created for a particular cruise? Lord knows, we wonder how it happens all the time. What could (and perhaps should) be a methodical, calculated process of selecting talent that works for the program and forms an identifiable karma all its own is often […]

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. I spent some time this week researching jazz tunes that have an Easter theme or connection. Irving Berlin’s “I’m Putting All My Eggs in One Basket” popped up. The history of the tune and the common meaning of this idiom drew my attention immediately. First introduced by Fred Astaire and Ginger […]

The Jazz Cruise…the OG ofSignature Cruise Experiences Programs I can claim authorship of the other programs of Signature Cruise Experiences, but our flagship program, The Jazz Cruise, is a living testament to my mother. Nearly every aspect of that cruise was created and implemented by her.  The Big Band, Keyboard Capers, Farewell Jam, Passenger Jam, T-Shirt […]

There are times in the year when there is so much going on that you are overwhelmed with choices and the dreaded Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) takes control of your mind. The beginning of April is one of FOMO’s high seasons. After taking time for work, family and staying healthy, most of us, particularly […]

Marcus Miller + Gregory Porter + Wynton Marsalis…Special Port-of-Call:  New Orleans  Many believe that last September’s sailing of Journey of Jazz ’25 was one of the very best programs produced by Signature Cruise Experiences (SCE) in its 26 year/100+ cruise history. That program combined SCE’s trademark onboard music programs with an exciting itinerary filled with […]

Although he’s lived many more years away from New Orleans than he’s lived there, Wynton Marsalis will always be associated with that storied and very musical city. Partially because his father, Ellis Marsalis, was a lifelong patriarch for jazz in the area, both as a pianist and educator. Partially because he received his first trumpet […]

Having attended a few jazz programs in the past weeks and on the heels of weeks at sea with jazz fans, I have come to realize that while I love the music, I am equally drawn — perhaps even more so — into the music by the folks who perform and the folks who listen. This awakening reminds […]