It doesn’t happen on television much anymore, but there was a time when several “new” shows were spin-offs of other successful programs. All in the Family spawned The Jeffersons. The Beverly Hillbillies led to the creation of Petticoat Junction which led to Green Acres. That entire sequence was unnecessary for many reasons.
Happy Days, which was the television version of American Graffiti, was the well from which both Laverne and Shirley and Mork and Mindy were drawn. I could go on and on with other examples, but I think that you get the picture. With the noted exception of Godfather II, spin-offs and sequels are a risky business. Case in point, Godfather III.
With that cautionary tale in mind, we are getting ready to defy those seemingly insurmountable odds and create a full-blown cruise out of one event on a current cruise. Clearly, I am having some fun with this, because both the current event and the new cruise are amazing and significant undertakings each meant to honor and celebrate the most cherished right in our country, the right to be educated.
For many years, cruisers on The Smooth Jazz Cruises would gather to honor both their HBCU (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) heritage and their participation in the sororities and fraternities of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), affectionately known as the “Divine Nine.” By way of background, there are more than 100 Historic Black Colleges and Universities in the United States. Based upon information from the National HBCU Alumni Alliance, 50% of all Black lawyers, 80% of all Black judges and 40% of all Black members of Congress are HBCU alumni.
These numbers are even more impressive when you consider that HBCUs represent only 3% of all colleges and universities
NPHC organizations are often located on non-HBCU campuses and not everyone who attends an HBCU is a member of an NPHC organization.
The celebrations on the ship included guests who graduated from an HBCU as well as those who were members of an NPHC organization regardless of campus location. Of course, you can be both an HBCU graduate and a member of an NPHC organization. It took me more than a minute to work the Venn diagrams applicable here to figure out who was who, but, once you get there, it is easy to remember.
On recent sailings we initiated a Divine Nine Challenge, encouraging guests to don their colors and show up at the lower staircase for a group photo. A scholarship was awarded to the sorority or fraternity with the largest turnout. In each instance, the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta took home the honors and the money.
These events were exciting and fun. The level of pride, commitment and excellence shown by these organizations was stunning to experience. We began to think that the idea of expanding this celebration to embrace all that HBCUs mean and the wonderful camaraderie of the NPHC organizations should be combined into one great event.
Since the only events that we know well are cruises, we headed in that direction. So, very soon we will be announcing the full details of our newest program:
Homecoming: The Cruise
1.15.26 – 1.20.26 (including MLK Day)
Celebrity Summit
Ft. Lauderdale/Bimini/Nassau/Ft. Lauderdale
Presented by
Signature Events Cruises
in association with
National HBCU Alumni Alliance
This cruise is meant to produce education, entertainment and excellence in the tradition of HBCUs and the NPHC. For those in the know, you know the types of events we are talking about. For those who do not know, a complete list of interactive and special activities will be presented soon.
Our commitment to authenticity in terms of programming and experience is what attracted National HBCU Alumni Alliance to our program as one of our inaugural name sponsors. Their participation in the programming and talent selection has been invaluable. Stay tuned for the addition of two more very special sponsors.
And, though this program is a lot more than a music cruise, the entertainment will be first class. How else can you describe Babyface, Chante Moore and Take 6, who are among the performers? And, just this week, the all-time power couple of Debbie Allen and Norm Nixon have accepted our invitation to be hosts of the program.
Nephew Tommy, MC Lyte and our very own Homecoming Super Band will be sailing with us and will be supporting all the traditional HBCU and NPHC activities we have planned.
But, the real winner on this cruise will be education as we will be awarding at least $200,000 in HBCU scholarships during the cruise. The procedure for applying will be shared when the cruise is formally announced. The National HBCU Alumni Alliance is assisting us with this process.
Someone asked me recently “So, you are doing another cruise?” Those words triggered my mind and my emotions. “No, this is not another cruise. This is an important cruise that is long overdue and we are honored to be a part of its beginning.”
Have you ever seen an HBCU Marching Band or Drumline perform…on a ship? Join us.
Click the link below to join our list and be the first to get information on Homecoming: The Cruise! Doing so automatically places you at the head of the line when the Pre-Sail Reservation process opens on December 18, and that much closer to the pursuit of Education, Entertainment and Excellence.
By Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Chris Botti at Sea, Christian McBride’s World at Sea, Journey of Jazz and Homecoming: The Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com
Chris Botti’s Holiday Residence at Blue Note
Now in its 18th year, the Chris Botti Annual Holiday Residency at the Blue Note NYC kicked off this week. During the rest of December through to early January, Chris will perform more than 60 shows through January 5. He’ll be supported by a rotating cast of many of his longtime band members including Caroline Campbell, Julian Pollack, Lee Pearson, Daniel Chmielinski and Anastasia Mazurok, as well as vocalists John Splithoff and Veronica Swift.
In addition, the run always features some surprise guests. But don’t expect Christmas music. “I felt like there are so many bands out on the road playing Christmas music, that we just decided we’re not gonna do it,” Chris explained to our own Lee Mergner. “And we’ve never had one complaint about it. Not one. On Christmas Day, they all hang with the family and they come down to our show and it’s packed and everyone loves it.”
Concerts at SF Jazz
During the next few months, our friends at SFJAZZ will be featuring several artists familiar to guests of our jazz cruises. Take 6 will perform at the Miner Auditorium on December 28 and 29. On January 9-12, Botti at Sea host Chris Botti will also appear at the Miner Auditorium.
During January 23-26, SFJAZZ artistic director Terence Blanchard performs with E-Collective, joined by the acclaimed Turtle Island Quartet, performing music from his 2005 GRAMMY®-nominated album Flow (on January 23), 2007 GRAMMY®-winning recording A Tale of God’s Will (A Requiem for Katrina) and with special guest Dianne Reeves (on January 26). Jazzmeia Horn who sailed with us on The Jazz Cruise earlier this year performs on Febuary 13. At the Paramount Theatre on February 22, Chucho Valdes and Arturo Sandoval reunite to celebrate the music of Irakere, the influential Cuban jazz band of the ’70s and ’80s that launched both of their careers.
Signature Jazz Cruises’ Programs
THE JAZZ CRUISE ’25
Lineup Just Announced!
Hailed as “Jazz Heaven” by musicians and guests alike, The Jazz Cruise ’26 lineup will feature some of the most iconic musicians from the straight-ahead jazz genre. See the full lineup here.
Guests sailing on The Jazz Cruise ’25 may reserve their current stateroom for the ’26 sailing now through Jan. 31, 2025. New guests and those not sailing in ‘25 may join the Pre-Sail now.
THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.1 & 26.2
Reserve Your Stateroom Today!
Both sailings for The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25 are fully reserved and the Waitlist has more than 4,000 entrants.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 & ‘26.2 are in Open Booking (anyone may reserve any available stateroom) and are over 80% reserved. Reserve your stateroom today!
THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.3
Reserve your Stateroom Today!
For the first time in many years, The Smooth Jazz Cruise will sail on the West Coast, embarking in Vancouver, sailing to Victoria and San Francisco before disembarking in Los Angeles. Exciting land excursions will be available in the ports-of-call!
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 is in Open Booking! Anyone may now reserve any available stateroom.
BOTTI AT SEA’25 is Fully Reserved!
BOTTI AT SEA ’26 Just Announced!
Sailing from Los Angeles to Vancouver, with calls on San Francisco and Victoria, BC, Botti at Sea III (’26) is moving to the West Coast in September ’26!
The website for the cruise will be available early next year, just before Botti at Sea II (’25) sails in February! Establish your priority for reserving a stateroom NOW by joining the Pre-Sail.
CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S WORLD AT SEA
Lineup Just Announced!
9X GRAMMY® winner Christian McBride will host our newest Signature Jazz Cruises’ program, Christian McBride’s World at Sea! The cruise will feature legions of musicians who comprise the various ensembles that are the hallmarks of Christian’s music world AND first class comedy talent. See the full lineup here!
Open Booking begins December 20th!
JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’25
Special Guest – Diana Krall
Excursions Available to Book Now!
In addition to a spectacular lineup of musicians, Journey of Jazz ’25 includes a brilliant offering of special excursions, events and entertainment while the ship is docked in both Victoria, BC and San Francisco, CA.
Check out the wide range of Signature Jazz Cruises’ curated trips to Wine Country, Special Land Based Concerts and more. New opportunities are available to book now.
Signature Cruise Experiences Mug Shots
DC Cruise Crew
Gloria, Benny, John, Greg, Debbie, Gerrie, Sharon, Gladys
Guests on the ’24 jazz cruises received The Weekender mug, which we hope you will use with your Saturday morning coffee while you read the latest edition. Please share a picture of yourself & your mug with us so that we can include it for the 100,000+ folks who receive The Weekender each Saturday.
Tag us @thejazzcruise, @bottiatsea, @thesmoothjazzcruise, #jazzcruises and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@scecruises.com.