Tonight, actually early tomorrow morning, we will move our clocks forward one hour signaling the beginning of Daylight Savings Time. I imagine that most people look forward to this occurrence as it allows for more outdoor activities after the normal workday, making twilight golf and tennis, concerts, barbecues, and baseball games more available. Yet, I […]

Excuse the play on words, but it was too tempting to resist. The first of our “Vine” inspirations is by far the most important. The Divine Nine is the nickname of a group of nine historically Black Greek-letter organizations called the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). For years, on an informal basis, many of the member groups have gathered […]

Upon coming home from 33 days at sea, the goals are to catch up and unpack. While at sea, with all the great music, fun events, and wonderful guests to talk to, there is little time to keep up with the personal and business correspondence that occurs during that length of time. Digging out from […]

Botti at Sea ’24 completed its triumphant inaugural sailing on Thursday and the entire Jazz Cruises team is now back at home. The cruise was an amazing experience, filled with some of the most versatile, varied, and high-powered talent we have ever presented. Chris Botti’s show, complete with his entire touring band and performers, led off the cruise in style. The ensuing nights featured the incomparable Gregory Porter, who left the audience in awe of his amazing voice, towering talent, and soulful spirit. Reprising their dual billing from our August Las Vegas show, Alonzo Bodden opened for Gregory.

It is Day 3 of the inaugural sailing of Botti at Sea ’24, one of the most highly anticipated cruise programs in the history of Jazz Cruises. Every stateroom was filled with either an amazing performer or an eager guest, both groups ready to have a great week at sea. So far, this sailing has exceeded even the highest expectations. Cruise Emcee Mario Vines started the festivities with a Champagne Sail Away event, that was filled with dancing and a lot of very happy faces. Upon its conclusion, the guests began the nightly schedule of events, with half of them heading to their first dining experience on the ship and the other half scurrying to Chris Botti in concert. In a few hours, these groups would swap places and the enjoyment would continue.

It is Day 3 of the second week of “The Greatest Party at Sea”! Just as we experienced last week, everyone is in a celebratory mood as we continue our two-week celebration of the 20th Anniversary of The Smooth Jazz Cruise. The opening song, which features every headliner on the cruise was a rousing success. We took the Lionel Ritchie song, “All Night Long”, and crafted our own version which we called “All Cruise Long”!

It is Day 3 of The Greatest Party at Sea! Everyone is in a celebratory mood as we start a two-week celebration of the 20th Anniversary of The Smooth Jazz Cruise. As always, the opening song, which features every headliner on the cruise was a rousing success. For whatever reason, my emotions get the better of me every time we present the opening song. Maybe, it is the relief that the cruise has begun or just the glorious sight of all the performers on the stage. Whatever the reason, I get choked up.

Today is the 3rd day of The Jazz Cruise ’24. Amazingly, during our first two days, we have enjoyed more than 20 “In Concert” events. Virtually every one of the nearly 100 musicians have performed at least once.

In a few hours, several Jazz Cruises’ staff will be boarding Celebrity Summit for a 5-day cruise during which we will be preparing for our four 7-day programs that begin on January 18, 2024, with The Jazz Cruise ’24. The next four editions of The Weekender will be delivered while we are “At Sea.” Each edition, starting with the January 20 note, will highlight the activities of the cruise then in progress. Hopefully, we can share some of the excitement of the cruises with everyone.

The world of Jazz Cruises reflects the growing interest in live music. The upcoming ’24 Cruises are fully subscribed, and the readership of The Weekender and Jazz Notes is larger than ever. After a one-week holiday, The Weekender returns in its rightful place as the first email you receive on Saturday mornings.