Our Take: It’s the 13th. Are You Superstitious?

Kim Kelley — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 06:45:00 +0000

Performers, actors and athletes are famously superstitious. The benign description is to call quirky personal traits part of a “routine.” When a golfer plumb bobs, checks out the line, takes practice strokes and then putts, that is a routine. If at any time during those events he kisses his putter, it becomes a superstition.

Is there superstition in jazz? You bet. After all, jazz came from the same parts of America where voodoo and ancient rituals were performed for years. These beliefs were carried by enslaved Africans to the Caribbean and then to various parts of the American south.

Jazz became synonymous with this type of belief and practice hence the believe that Jazz is the “Devil’s Music.” If that were true, then there is at least one reason to like the Devil. The rest of his act is a bit sketchy, but having good taste in music goes a long way with me.

Recently, I stumbled upon a list of Duke Ellington’s bizarre list of superstitions. John Pizzarelli is doing a tribute to Duke on next year’s Journey of Jazz ’27, so I was boning up on my knowledge of Duke only to find these gems.

Duke Ellington Superstitions

He refused to allow anyone to eat peanuts or whistle in his dressing room, fearing it would bring disaster.
Ellington would never give or receive shoes as a gift, believing it meant the recipient would walk out of his life forever.
He refused to wear yellow.
Every button on a suit had to be firmly sewn.

Though clearly quirky, these habits were pretty harmless. He had one peccadillo that was not so simple. In fact, it was mean spirited and probably very expensive. He did not like firing someone from the band. Instead, he would hire someone who was better on the same instrument, sit them in the band right next to the target of this plan and hope that the beleaguered musician would take the hint.

Again, I am not sure that was a superstition or just the worst HR plan ever concocted.

Jazz historian and musician John Chilton claims that even the great Ella Fitzgerald had superstitions. Suffering from stage fright, Ella would go through a series of scripted body movements just off stage before singing. She claimed that she was chasing the evil spirits away, the ones that would cause her to sing poorly.

Then there was David Sanborn. Before examining the litany of Sanbornisms, please know that I, along with millions of jazz fans, miss him dearly, cherish his music and his memory and hold him up as one of the most respected and beloved musicians ever.

With that disclaimer, I must also share with you that David was one of the most superstitious and quirky performers I have ever met. From his diet to his reed selection ritual to his extreme concern that he was not playing well, I cannot remember a performance of his that was not wrought with drama and anxiety.

David Sanborn’s Anxieties

Though there was no direct medical requirement to do so, David ate salmon, steamed vegetables and papaya for each meal.
The food could not be cooked in any oil or have any seasoning.
In selecting a reed for a show, he would layout nearly 100 reeds on a table, examine them and then select one. It was if there was a vetting process in his head or he was waiting for one of the reeds to volunteer to be used.
David would insist that no one was going to attend his show. He would second guess the ticket count and fear that the marketing team had not been successful, and insist he would be playing to empty seats.
His onstage outfits were identical: jeans, white shirt and blazer.
His hotel room and on ship stateroom had to have an open-air capability.
He insisted that his stateroom be on the sunny side of the ship.

In respect of his passing and my personal fondness for David, I will let you, the readers, allow that last one to wash over you for a while.

Time’s up. Yes, he insisted on that request for every cruise. Rather than walk the slippery slope of telling him how “off” that was, we assured him that we would do as he requested. At the end of each cruise, well almost each cruise, he would thank us for his stateroom location.

Never been to heaven nor expect to be there, but I believe that David is on the sunny side of heaven now. I am sure his “Rider” for entering heaven had that request. If he is not basking in the glow, then someone up there must not like jazz. We know the Devil does.

By Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Chris Botti at Sea, Journey of Jazz, David Foster: The Hitman Cruise and Top Shelf Country Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com.

Josh Groban & Chris Botti:
Live Entertainment Coming to You!

As we anticipated, our Botti at Sea fans are beyond excited that Josh Groban will be performing on the cruise in September. The profile of a Chris Botti fan and a Groban fan are, not surprisingly, strikingly similar.

Both are first class artist with impeccable credentials and reputations, both are devoted to their craft and present as consummate performers and talents. Their music is inspiring and refined, strong and sophisticated and, most of all, able to be enjoyed by a wide audience.

Both men also share the world of touring. Chris tours the world on a regular basis, presenting his amazing ensemble to adoring audiences. And Josh is embarking on an extensive country-wide tour that will mostly likely take him to a theater near you.

We are proud of the intimate nature of our presentations at sea and we know that our guests will enjoy their time with both Chris and Josh as they light up The Theatre on Celebrity Summit. Signature Cruise Experiences supports live music regardless of its venue or locale. Even when you’re unable to sail with them (and us), these stars proved can’t-miss performances when they come to your area. Join your community and take in their shows.

Live entertainment is the best way to enjoy great music. Nothing compares.

JOSH GROBAN TOUR SCHEDULE

CHRIS BOTTI TOUR SCHEDULE

Emmet Cohen’s Universal Truth

Emmet Cohen, host of The Jazz Cruise, recently released his sixth album as a leader, Universal Truth, on Mack Avenue.

Featuring Joe Farnsworth, Yasushi Nakamura, Jeremy Pelt, Tivon Pennicott and guests Ron Carter and George Coleman, the recording pays tribute to Miles Davis and John Coltrane (both being celebrated in their centennial year), pairing timeless classics like “Well You Needn’t,” “My Funny Valentine” and “Blue Train” along with new originals that honor jazz’s royalty while boldly carrying their tradition forward.

“The more I travel, teach, and share music with people around the world, the more I’m convinced that we’re all searching for many of the same things: meaning, belonging, love, purpose,” Emmet told us. “Universal Truth is my attempt to explore those ideas through music. Inspired by the contrasting paths of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, the album asks what happens when we look both outward toward humanity and inward toward the spirit.”

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John Clayton’s Two-o Duo

John Clayton, leader of Anita’s Big Band on The Jazz Cruise, has just released a unique album featuring spontaneous collaborations with singer-songwriter Rene Marie and his son, pianist Gerald Clayton.

John’s 8th album on Artist Share, the recording Two-o Duo presents 11 songs largely in a duo format, spotlighting a range of material through different cultural eras, plus lyrical and compositional contributions from both Marie and the Claytons.

“Some really magical things happened,” John says. “If you’re close with somebody and you’re in the room with them, both of you feel the closeness that you share. There’s no word for it. It’s intangible. But it’s very real.”

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Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

VIEW ALL UPCOMING SCE SAILINGS

SCE Sailings in ’26

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3

9.11.26 – 9.18.26
Vancouver – Victoria – San Francisco – Los Angeles

Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 is Fully Reserved.

If you wish to join the cruise, go to the website and JOIN WAITLIST for any stateroom category you wish. All cancellations for this cruise will be filled from the waitlist.

Botti at Sea ’26

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Los Angeles – San Francisco – Victoria – Vancouver

JUST ANNOUNCED: Josh Groban Performing on Botti at Sea!
STATEROOM CLOSEOUT SALE IN EFFECT

In addition to the recently announced Josh Groban, joining Chris on the cruise are several music icons: Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs and Melody Gardot, and many others. When in San Francisco, guests may take winery tours in Napa and Sonoma, spend the day on the Napa Valley Wine Train, sample the finest cuisine in San Francisco and much more. Another menu of excursions awaits guests when the cruise docks in Victoria, BC. Trust us, this is the perfect music experience!

SPECIAL NOTE: Chris Botti at Sea III is the only Signature Cruise Experiences’ program that has staterooms available in ’26. A limited number of Veranda Plus, Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms may be reserved at CloseOut Cruise Prices for both Past Guests and New Guests. A payment plan that allows for the final payment to be made after the cruise is also available. Act now!

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore

1.12.27 – 1.17.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Costa Maya – Tampa

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’26 was a runaway hit program. From the first note to the last song, the brilliance of David Foster was evident in every show and event.

The star-studded lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Leslie Odom Jr., Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.

The Jazz Cruise ’27

1.17.27 – 1.24.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Belize – Costa Maya – Tampa

The Jazz Cruise is the first program that Signature Cruise Experiences ever produced. Since its first sailing in 2001, The Jazz Cruise has been the world leader in presenting “straight ahead” jazz at sea.

The Jazz Cruise has reached Fully Reserved every year it has sailed and The Jazz Cruise ’27 is hear that goal again (over 85% Reserved)

Journey of Jazz ’27

1.24.27 – 1.31.27
Tampa – New Orleans – Progreso – Tampa

Journey of Jazz ’27 will be an amazing cruise program featuring hosts Marcus Miller and Gregory Porter, a full lineup of great musicians and vocalists, a special two days in New Orleans which features Wynton Marsalis and a group of his hand-picked musicians.

In its second season, Journey of Jazz proudly combines the very best music with opportunities to live The Jazz Life.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
Tampa – Ocho Rios – Grand Cayman – Tampa
’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)
Tampa – Grand Cayman – Ocho Rios – Tampa

The Greatest Party at Sea presents its customary back-to-back weeklong programs in the Caribbean. Tampa is the port of embarkation and disembarkation for the first time and both sailings will call on Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.

The star studded lineup is led by hosts Marcus Miller and Boney James and features Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer, Kirk Whalum, Peter White and more.

Both sailings are in Open Booking and both are 95% reserved at this time.

Botti at Sea ’27

10.6.27 – 10.13.27
Boston – Portland – Saint John – Sydney –
Charlottetown – Quebec City

A Canadian itinerary in the Fall is one of the most popular cruise itineraries in the industry. Fall colors, beautiful scenery, hands on adventures in famous ports-of-call. If nothing else was taking place on the ship, a cruise with these features would be in high demand. So, when Chris Botti decided to take his amazing cruise program from Boston to Quebec City, with a full complement of the entertainers and performers that you have grown to love and expect, not only was he gilding the lily, but he was creating one of the top music cruise experiences ever offered.

Stay tuned (8.15.26) for more programming and reservation procedure details.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3

10.13.27 – 10.20.27
Quebec City – Charlottetown – Sydney –
Saint John – Portland – Boston

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3 program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events. Marcus Miller, Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer and others will lead the team for another edition of this iconic program.

This cruise is currently in Open Booking, where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.

The post Our Take: It’s the 13th. Are You Superstitious? appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

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