OUR TAKE: Seeing the Forest for the Trees

I often scoff at idioms. Generally, they appear when a more complex thought should be utilized. Reviewing some common idioms proves this point. 

Do the phrases “break a leg,” “better late than never” or “it’s not rocket science” tell the real story you wish to share? To me, doing so is like “cutting corners.” I prefer to “get my act together,” “hang in there” and “bite the bullet.” Otherwise, let’s just “call it a day” and “hit the sack.”

Occasionally, an event or a series of events can be a “blessing in disguise,” force one to “hit the reset button” and “cut somebody (or something) some lack.” Last Sunday, December 22, “a light went on” and forced me to “go back to the drawing board” about the meaning of one particular idiom.

“Seeing the forest for the trees” refers to the admonition to see the big picture either together with or in lieu of the elements that comprise that situation. One can be so engrossed in a particular tree that they forget that they are amid a larger space, in this case a forest.

For those new to this column, not mentioning jazz by the fifth paragraph is the “final straw” before matters “get out of hand.” So, “to make a long story short” and to make sure that we do not “miss the boat,” let’s talk about the musicians that were on television last Sunday night. (Note: It was only recently that I came to know that “don’t miss the boat” was an idiom. I was taught it was a commandment.)

On Sunday, CBS’ celebrated news program, 60 Minutes, featured a segment on Samara Joy, which included some time with Christian McBride. Later that evening the annual Kennedy Center Honors show was aired. Arturo Sandoval was one of the honorees and Chris Botti performed in his honor, together with his band. Other performers included Keb Mo, Debbie Allen, Randy Brecker, Kendrick Scott, Chucho Valdes, Don Was and Kamasi Washington.

Sometimes, when we are working on our cruise programs, we view our stars without the stature and recognition that they enjoy elsewhere. We are so immersed in the trees (tasks and undertakings to make the cruises work) that we lose sight of the forest in which we reside. That forest is the international world of top talent, amazing musicians and world-renowned performers.

Earlier this year, my wife, Paula, was escorting Paquito D’Rivera and Chucho Valdes from one site to another in Miami. She described that four block walk as being part of a rock star entourage, with many, many people stopping to say hello and pay their respects. A similar reaction occurred years ago when David Sanborn joined the musicians of The Jazz Cruise for the pre-cruise meeting. The muttering of “that’s David Sanborn” resembled the “wave” that fans initiate in arenas and stadiums.

Seeing musicians that we know well and are part of our cruise programs year after year on national television and in worldwide settings is an example of the “proof is in the pudding” that our guests know and understand the significance of the entertainment they enjoy on our programs.

Jesus suggested that “a prophet has little honor in his hometown.” I doubt that is an idiom. Probably just a wise saying, but it points out the fact that let’s not forget the forest while discussing the trees.

The big picture here is that we are blessed to be able to enjoy great music, performed by the very best musicians in the world, and we have access to them that is unlike most other music genres. Next time you are fighting about the merits of fusion, the importance of smooth jazz or the current state of straight ahead jazz, just remember to realize that you are in the greatest forest in the world of music.

“Does a tree that falls in the forest when no one is there make a sound?” is not a question we need to ask in jazz. We will always be there. We will always hear those sounds. We will continue to plant and nourish our trees.

God bless our music and may everyone enjoy a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

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.

---

What Are They Doing on New Year’s Eve?

Several of our artists have made plans to perform shows tied to the welcoming of the New Year. Here’s a partial list (in alphabetical order). Our apologies for any we may have missed.

Mindi Abair
December 29-31
Loews Coronado Bay Resort, San Diego, CA

Monty Alexander
December 28-31
Blues Alley, Washington, DC

Benny Benack III
December 28-31
Black Cat, San Francisco, CA

Alonzo Bodden
December 31
Helium Comedy Club, St. Louis, MO

Chris Botti
December 28-31
The Blue Note, New York, NY

Rick Braun with Gerald Albright,
Richard Elliot and Peter White
December 30
Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando, FL

Kurt Elling & SuperBlue 
December 31
The Kennedy Center, Washington, DC

Boney James
December 29-31
Yoshi’s, Oakland, CA

Gregory Porter
December 30
Dolby Theater, Hollywood, CA

---

Signature Jazz Cruises’ Programs

---

Mug Shot of the Week

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.