JOSH GROBAN
June 10, 2026

Jazz Notes: 6.10.26

Josh Groban is Performing on Botti at Sea III! Instantly recognizable after just a few notes, Josh Groban is one of the most popular and talented vocalists of his generation. His extraordinary…
VINYL RECORDS
June 8, 2026

Our Take: What’s Your Music When Not Listening to Jazz?

For various reasons, we are taking inventory of our cruise programs to find common threads both in terms of “good stuff” and “bad stuff.” Those inquiries quickly lead into a…
MILES DAVIS
May 30, 2026

Our Take: Miles at 100, Marcus at 23

Sonny Rollins died on Memorial Day. His legendary accomplishments and place in the history of jazz are shared by Lee Mergner in an article below. Normally, we burst directly into June after…
April 8, 2026

Jazz Notes: 4.8.26

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…
PEABO BRYSON
May 10, 2025

Our Take: Peabo is Back!

Peabo Bryson is a 2x GRAMMY® Winner known best for his ballads, duets with female vocalists and his participation in several Disney animated feature films as the lead male singer…
Botti at Sea 25 Peter Cincotti
February 15, 2025

Our Take: From Botti to Smooth

Botti at Sea ’25 ended on Tuesday morning and The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.1 was ready to go by noon that same day. Watching the transformation of the ship, the…
Martin Luther King Jr MLK Day
January 18, 2025

OUR TAKE: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. & Jazz

On the eve of the annual celebration of the life and mission of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it is appropriate to remember how important he viewed our music to…
HAPPY NEW YEAR THE WEEKENDER
January 4, 2025

OUR TAKE: 2025 is Here. We are Ready!

Happy New Year! I trust that everyone had a fun and safe New Year’s Eve celebration and that we are ready to take on the challenge and excitement of a…
SAMARA JOY 60 MINUTES
December 28, 2024

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…
homecoming the cruise
December 21, 2024

OUR TAKE: The Gift of Celebration

Later this week, folks will be celebrating Christmas, Hannukah and Kwanzaa. While these holidays do not cover the entire world, it is a very good start. Each holiday has its…