JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH Archives - Signature Cruise Experiences

Jazz Notes: 4.29.26

Kim Kelley — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:35:50 +0000

Tomorrow is International Jazz Day

Tomorrow evening, the International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert will take place at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. It is a star-studded event that features a wide array of national and international talent, many of whom have performed on our cruises over the years.

Cruise Hosts Marcus Miller and Gregory Porter will be performing along with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling, Marquis Hill, Joel Ross and, native Chicagoan, Herbie Hancock. Signature Cruise Experiences’ Jazz Advisor, Lee Mergner, will be attending as well. Lee’s initial thoughts about this event are below and he will file another report in next week’s edition of Jazz Notes.

We know that the event will be special, well-attended, and musically wonderful. The perfect ending to Jazz Appreciation Month.

Michael Lazaroff
Executive Director
Signature Cruise Experiences

Veranda Plus: A New Stateroom Category on the Ship!

In The Weekender dated 4.15.26, we introduced the Veranda Plus Stateroom, the new category name for both the Concierge and AquaClass Staterooms on Botti at Sea III (’26), David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’27 and Journey of Jazz ‘27. Those staterooms offered more square footage than the Veranda Staterooms and included some additional benefits.

Combining those staterooms into one new category, Veranda Plus Staterooms eliminates the minor differences between Concierge and AquaClass Staterooms and enables us to provide one set of significant extras.

Veranda Plus Stateroom Amenities

Embarkation Day Lunch in the Cosmopolitan Restaurant (no charge)
Daily Breakfast in Blu Restaurant (no charge)
No Upcharge for one (1) Specialty Dining Experience – Tuscan Grille, Luminae, Signature Steakhouse and A Taste of San Francisco (up to $50/person)

Plus, for a limited time, guests reserving a Veranda Plus Stateroom will be eligible for a Reserved Seat for all Nightly Main Shows – seven nights on Botti at Sea III (’26) and Journey of Jazz ’27, and five nights on David Foster: The Hitman Cruise

Veranda Plus Stateroom Rules

Reserving a Veranda Plus Stateroom, either online or by calling the office, is subject to the following rules:
Veranda Plus Staterooms are currently available on the following programs:
Chris Botti at Sea III
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore
Journey of Jazz ’27

Guests sailing on those cruises with current Concierge or AquaClass Stateroom reservations may either:
Retain the amenities that are included in those reservations or
Convert, at no cost, to a Veranda Plus reservation at the same Cruise Price.

Reserved Seat eligibility expires at the earlier of:
Reserved Seat Expiration Date
The close of available inventory of Reserved Seats for the cruise selected.

Reserved Seat Expiration Dates:
Chris Botti at Sea III: 5.31.26
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore: 6.15.26
Journey of Jazz ’27: 6.30.26

Have questions? Contact the office for details on the Veranda Plus Stateroom program and secure your stateroom today.

International Jazz Day in Chicago

As Michael wrote above, Jazz Appreciation Month will culminate in an All-Star Global Concert held at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on International Jazz Day – Thursday, April 30. That concert will be streamed online here. In addition, befitting the term “International” in the title, there will be thousands of events throughout the world on that day, from intimate performances to large-scale concerts at leading cultural institutions. Artists, educators and organizations around the globe will present masterclasses, jam sessions, panel discussions, and educational workshops. You can see a partial list of participants here.

The event’s origins go back to November 2011, when the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day in order to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. From the beginning International Jazz Day has been chaired and led by the UNESCO Director-General and pianist/composer Herbie Hancock, who serves as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue and also as Chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.

The Institute is the nonprofit that’s charged with planning, promoting and producing this annual celebration. Over the years, the concert has been hosted in cities all over the world, including Osaka, Istanbul, Paris, Abu Dhabi, Havana, New Orleans, St. Petersburg, Melbourne, New York City and Washington, DC (at the White House).

“I’m excited that Chicago, my hometown, is hosting International Jazz Day 2026,” said Hancock. “It was in my Chicago high school auditorium that I discovered jazz, an event that sparked a lifelong passion and commitment to this powerful art form. Jazz opened doors to creativity, self-expression and freedom. I hope that this Day will inspire young artists and audiences in the same way that I was inspired during those formative years.”

Much of the credit for the IJD coming to Chicago rests with our own Kurt Elling, a native of that city, who brought together a coalition of local organizations to create the Chicago Jazz Alliance, which includes partners such as the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), the Jazz Institute of Chicago, the Ravinia Festival, and the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago, among many others.

“I am thrilled beyond words that IJD is originating from my home city of Chicago this year,” Kurt told us. “Chicago has served as home to generations of virtuoso masters of this music from its earliest days, when Louis Armstrong moved here to join King Oliver’s band and record his Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings. Chicagoans have played pivotal roles in the development of this music — from Meade ‘Luxe’ Lewis to Benny Goodman to Barrett Deems, Nat Cole and Franz Jackson, Ahmad Jamal, Johnny Griffin, Dorothy Donegan, Willie Pickens, Ramsey Lewis, Eddie Harris, The Freeman Family, Mel Torme, Geraldine DeHaas and Andy Bey, from Oscar Brown, Jr. to Judy Roberts to Joe Williams to Sun Ra and Muhal Richard Abrams and Lester Bowie … to Herbie Hancock.

“Beyond the obvious history in the music, I knew from the beginning that Chicago had exactly the temperament, energy, resources and heart to bring this vision to life. Take a look for yourself here and you will see that the city has brought her A-Game in response to the call for action. We are a 26.5-mile-long juggernaut of jazz action this week! I couldn’t be more delighted.”

Lee Mergner
Jazz Consultant

Upcoming Livestream Events

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore Livestream:
5.14.26 / 4PM ET

Join us for the David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Livestream on May 14 at 4PM ET to meet the lineup, including exciting new additions, learn about the ports, get the details about events performances and learn why one sailing is never enough!

On-Demand Livestream Events

Journey of Jazz Livestream Available On-Demand

If you missed our recent Journey of Jazz Livestream or just want to give it another watch, the livestream is now available to view on-demand. We discussed the incredible lineup, explored the exciting ports of call and discussed the unforgettable shore excursions New Orleans! Both of our hosts, Marcus Miller and Gregory Porter, made special guest appearances – you don’t want to miss this!

VIEW ON-DEMAND

Botti at Sea Livestream Available On-Demand

If you weren’t able to drop-in during this week’s Botti at Sea Livestream, it’s now available to view on demand!

This perfect cruise experience comes to life while we discussed our exciting lineup of world-class talent, explored the beautiful ports of call and introduced the unforgettable shore excursions that make this year’s sailing truly special.

VIEW ON-DEMAND

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

VIEW ALL UPCOMING SCE SAILINGS

SCE Sailings in ’27

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3

9.11.26 – 9.18.26
34th Sailing of “The Greatest Party at Sea”

Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3, which departs from Vancouver on 9.11.26 and sails to Victoria, BC and San Francisco, before terminating in Los Angeles on 9.18.26 is fully reserved. If you wish to try 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 III (’26)

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
The West Coast Edition – The Perfect Music Experience

When The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 docks in Los Angeles, we will turn around and head back to Vancouver (via San Francisco and Victoria BC) under the guidance of superstar Chris Botti. Chris Botti at Sea III will be the perfect combination of a topflight music cruise and exciting excursions.

Joining Chris on the cruise are several icons of the world of music: Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs, Melody Gardot, Peabo Bryson, Regina Belle 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!

SCE Sailings in ’27

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’27

1.12.27 – 1.17.27

Stay Tuned for the Lineup and Detail

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’26 (Foster ’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 lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore Sailing ’27 includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Leslie Odom Jr., Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise is now in Open Booking where anyone may reserve any available stateroom.

The Jazz Cruise ’27

1.17.27 – 1.24.27

Still the Greatest Jazz Festival at Sea

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 on its way to reaching that goal again. Open Booking began on February 24, 2026 and the cruise is nearly 80% reserved.

Journey of Jazz ’27

1.24.27 – 1.31.27

Now in Open Booking

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 and learn more about the history of jazz. As an example, Journey of Jazz ’27 will present Ledisi as a main show performer on the ship. In keeping with the theme of the cruise, Ledisi will perform her universally beloved Tribute to Dinah (Washington) program.

Journey of Jazz ’27 is in Open Booking.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)

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 nearly 95% reserved at this time.

Botti at Sea IV (’27)

10.6.27 – 10.13.27

Chris Botti Takes His Cruise from Boston to Quebec

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 for more programming and reservation procedure details. As is always the case on a Signature Cruise Experiences program, guests on Botti at Sea III (’26) (’26 Guests) will be able to rebook their current staterooms and those who are not ’26 Guests will be eligible to submit a Pre-Sail Reservation which will establish their stateroom selection priority after the ’26 Guests complete their rebooking procedure.

Look for most of this to happen around 8.15.26!

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3

10.13.27 – 10.20.27

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3 program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events.

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

The post Jazz Notes: 4.29.26 appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

Jazz Notes: 4.8.26

Kim Kelley — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

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 perhaps should) be a methodical, calculated process of selecting talent that works for the program and forms an identifiable karma all its own is often a random series of good luck and bad luck with a bit of ingenuity thrown in for good measure.

Take David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore ’27. This is a five day program built to reflect the image, music and taste of David Foster, a 16X GRAMMY® winner and one of the most successful and respected music producers, arrangers, musicians and composers now or ever. Having worked with David on Foster ’26, we know that he can fine-tune his concept at any time and the talent that’s ultimately needed may be different from the talent originally signed.

Of course, guests have the right to know who is performing on the cruise. The core lineup must be shared now and sufficient to draw interest, while leaving room for maneuvering as the final program is set in stone.

The first Foster cruise was simply amazing. I cannot recall a larger and more diverse array of talent on any cruise that we have ever presented. Of course, Foster’s application of the artists was brilliant. He was like a great chef taking the ingredients before him and cross-purposing them into something altogether different and wonderful. The components were very good to begin with and David’s deft touch elevated them to be more than the sum of their parts.

This presents an age-old dilemma. When a cruise is as successful as the first Foster Cruise, there is the tendency to utter those famous words “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Please know that I loathe that phrase and do not adhere to its message at all. Taken literally, the phrase says there is no way to do better, so do not try to do so.

I prefer to retain some portion of the grand success and then move it forward with new ideas and new horizons. In the case of the Foster lineup for ’27, the grand success being retained is Michael McDonald (pictured). As is true with the cowbell on SNL, you can never get enough Michael McDonald.

For the new, one name was easy, Katharine McPhee. Unable to join us on the first sailing, Katharine becomes a new addition to Foster ’27. The fans are so excited that she will be sailing. Her talents are so diverse that choosing her program will be the most difficult decision she has to make.

In looking for a “new” headliner voice for the cruise, we wanted to move from the Pop and Broadway world and closer to the accessible section of the jazz world. For us, that could only mean Dianne Reeves. As one of only a handful of living female vocalists who have earned the title of NEA Jazz Master, she is better than a legend. She is now.

Dianne is a favorite of Signature Cruise Experiences and we know her show will be amazing. She will also be participating in one of the surprise events on the cruise. As the kids say, it will be “epic.”

The final “headliner” took some time and some thought. A show-stealing facet of the first cruise was David’s musical tour of Broadway. We considered many incredible options for our third headliner, and we felt incredibly smart (and fortunate) when we thought of and booked the one and only – Leslie Odom, Jr. His turn as Aaron Burr in Hamilton is one of the legendary roles in Broadway history. We know that he will command the Celebrity Summit stage as well. (Be sure to check out Lee Mergner’s take below.)

Just as the great chefs in the world rely on certain spices or cooking methods, David’s go-to group of vocalists and performers includes Pia Toscano, Sheléa, Daniel Emmett and Erich Bergen (pictured). Each of them contributed mightily to the success of the first cruise. Watch for Erich to host several special shows and events. We only scratched the surface of his talents on the first sailing.

For the most part, the lineup for the Foster cruise is now set, but, trust me, David’s wheels are still in motion. No doubt there will be some additions or modifications before we sail! The creation of a lineup is art, not science, and we have the ultimate artist in charge of this cruise.

(Foster ’26 Guests are currently able to finalize rebooking of their staterooms through April 10, after which Pre-Sail Reservation holders will be eligible to select a stateroom and complete their Reservation. Guests who did not sail on the ’26 sailing may still complete a PRE-SAIL RESERVATION – no deposit or obligation required – through April 10.)

Leslie Odom, Jr.: A Singer’s Singer

Thanks to his Tony Award-winning role as Aaron Burr in the hit Broadway musical Hamilton, Leslie Odom Jr. became an overnight success. Except that all that acclaim came after nearly two decades of scuffling. As reported in a 2016 profile in the New York Times, Odom was actually considering taking a job as a hotel clerk just before getting that big gig with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash show. Such is life in show business.

Make no mistake. Leslie Odom Jr. is a singer. A singer who can dance. A singer who can act. But a singer first and foremost. He was born in Queens, but when he was 7 his family moved to Philadelphia. He went to the local Fame-type school for creative types, the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), the same one that produced Boyz II Men, Christian McBride, Joey DeFrancesco and the Roots. With a keen interest in musical theatre, Odom continued that performing-arts training at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, and managed to score some jobs in the NYC theatre scene, including a stint in the company of Rent when he was only 17.

In 2003, he moved to Los Angeles where he did the usual potpourri of acting jobs, including walk-on parts in shows like Gilmore Girls, Grey’s Anatomy and The Good Wife and, more notably, regular roles on CSI: Miami, Smash and Person of Interest. After coming back to NYC for a Broadway show as well as for Smash, Odom returned to live in the city in 2012.

Although he wasn’t part of Miranda’s usual crew of actors, Odom auditioned and campaigned for the part of Aaron Burr in Miranda’s Hamilton in 2013, when the show was being readied for its initial run off-Broadway at the Public Theater. The show’s director, Thomas Kail, told the Times that Odom “was coming to play.” The show went on to an historic run on Broadway, winning awards and selling tickets at rates heretofore unseen – all with Odom in the so-called villain role as Burr, the dramatic nemesis of Miranda’s title character.

“Coming up in Philly, it’s not a musical-theatre town,” Leslie explained. “When I was a singer, I was training with singers. I was far from the best. When I was learning dancing, I was with dancers, and those people are now with Alvin Ailey or who are Beyoncé’s choreographers. Acting was the same way. When I came into the musical theatre, I found I was a little more prepared than some people because I had been shedding with people in those individual disciplines. They were masters. To come back and remove all that and get back to singing … I wasn’t trying to be a singer on Broadway. I was just trying to be a singer.”

Since July 2016, when Miranda, Odom and Phillipa Soo – three of the principal actors from the original cast – left the show, Odom concentrated on his solo singing career in between acting stints in major movies. First, Odom re-released an eponymous album that had been quietly released in 2014 but with three newly recorded songs. In addition, he recorded a holiday EP/album, Simply Christmas, that included a sensational version of “Winter Song” by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson. He also performed at jazz festivals like Newport and Monterey.

“I do reconnaissance on all these gigs,” he told me. “My parents didn’t have a whole lot of money, so we weren’t traveling the country going to jazz festivals. So I hadn’t been to many of them before. When we do these festivals, I’m always nervous. Is this the moment when we’re going to get booed off the stage? Now I can watch Herbie Hancock do his set at Newport or wherever. And what I see is people onstage being themselves.”

Odom will be certainly be himself when he performs on the David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore ’27 in January. And he’ll be among other notable singers like Katharine McPhee, Michael McDonald, Erich Bergen, Morgan James, Pia Toscano and Sheléa.

Lee Mergner
Jazz Consultant

SCE Artists on Jazz

In celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, we contacted 30 artists who sail on our jazz programs to ask them about their affinity and love for jazz – from the first jazz album they bought to their first jazz concert to what jazz means to them. We hope you enjoy their reflections. Below are excerpts from the first seven we received. You can read each artist’s entire essay in the link below.

– Lee Mergner

“Jazz reflects the human spirit in all its beauty, simplicity and complexity.”
– Bria Skonberg

“Jazz is the most wonderful portrait of true democracy and equality, I believe, that exists in the world to date.”
– Kirk Whalum

“Jazz gives me purpose in life. It means community and mentorship.”
– Catherine Russell

“Jazz to me is about communication. Being aware of what each member of the band has to say and responding to it.”
– Eric Marienthal

“Jazz is a universal language people from all backgrounds and cultures of the world can speak to one another with.”
– Benny Benack III

“Jazz is really all I know. Benny Goodman, Zoot Sims, Slam Stewart and Bucky Pizzarelli, amongst many others, were my teachers. Jazz never stops teaching me.”
– John Pizzarelli

“Jazz to me has always meant freedom to explore.”
– Boney James

Step Inside the “Perfect” Cruise:
Botti at Sea III Livestream on 4.23

Join us for a special livestream on April 23 at 7 PM ET to learn more about the Perfect Cruise Experience on Botti at Sea III. Get an inside look at our exciting lineup of world-class talent, explore the beautiful ports of call and discover the unforgettable shore excursions that make this year’s sailing truly special. Don’t miss this opportunity to see what makes Botti at Sea III so exceptional.

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

SCE Sailings in ’26

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

’26.3 (9.11.26 – 9.18.26)

34th Sailing of “The Greatest Party at Sea”

Botti at Sea III (’26)

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
The West Coast Edition – The Perfect Music Experience

SCE Sailings in ’27

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’27

1.12.27 – 1.17.27

Encore! Encore!

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’26 (Foster ’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.

As outlined above, the lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore Sailing ’27 includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Leslie Odom Jr., Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.

Foster ’26 Guests are currently able to finalize rebooking of their staterooms through April 10, after which Pre-Sail Reservations holders will be eligible to select a stateroom and complete their reservation. There is still time to complete a Pre-Sail Reservation (no deposit or obligation required) on the website here.

The Jazz Cruise ’27

1.17.27 – 1.24.27

Still the Greatest Jazz Festival at Sea

Journey of Jazz ’27

1.24.27 – 1.31.27

Now in Open Booking

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)

Sailing in 18 Months

Botti at Sea IV (’27)

10.6.27 – 10.13.27

Chris Botti Takes His Cruise from Boston to Quebec

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3

10.13.27 – 10.20.27

This program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events.

The exclusive rebooking window for guests of The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 closed on March 31, 2026. Guests who completed a Pre-Sail Reservation are now beginning to select their stateroom and complete their reservation.

Pre-Sail Reservations remain open through April 10, 2026 and are the best way to reserve a stateroom prior to Open Booking, which begins April 16, 2026.

The post Jazz Notes: 4.8.26 appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

Our Take: I’m Putting All My Eggs in One Basket

Kim Kelley — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 04:06:00 +0000

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. I spent some time this week researching jazz tunes that have an Easter theme or connection. Irving Berlin’s “I’m Putting All My Eggs in One Basket” popped up. The history of the tune and the common meaning of this idiom drew my attention immediately.

First introduced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the 1936 musical comedy film Follow the Fleet, the song took a decidedly jazzy turn when Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong created their version. Fred and Ginger. Ella and Louis. One of the earliest examples of “first name only” recognition.

Leaning into the Easter theme for the song was easily done and, at that level, the song can be placed in the “fun” and “whimsical” categories. Nothing wrong with that. We can always use some laughter and smiles. But when I hear the words “Putting All My Eggs in One Basket” other thoughts come to mind.

Depending upon the circumstances, the phrase is apt for one’s total commitment to a cause, a goal or an objective. This pursuit can be laudatory. Watching someone pursue a dream with all their heart and soul is inspirational and to be admired.

But, at what point does “putting all my eggs in one basket” become dangerous, even delusional? Don Quixote wanted to spend his life righting wrongs. That is all that mattered to him. His passion led to his false belief that he was a knight. Not being able to live up to that pursuit, Don Quixote lived a life that was unfulfilled.

Recently, in various ways, I have spent time with young jazz musicians. One of the most gratifying and fascinating undertakings of our new Signature Cruise Experiences Foundation is our dedication to supporting these dedicated performers in the pursuit of their dream, that being a full time jazz musician.

That is the goal. To earn a living playing music and to play the type of music that they love. Many know that teaching and other music related duties may be required to support their pursuit, but most of them hope that the ratio of performing and other music pursuits is heavily in favor of being on the bandstand.

These young artists are “Putting All [Their] Eggs in One Basket.” How long they continue “tilting at windmills” will depend on luck, persistence and the ability to survive. For every Samara Joy and Patrick Bartley, there are hundreds of talented jazz performers who find their pursuit to be “The Impossible Dream.” While they are tilting at those windmills and keeping those baskets full, it will be the mission of Signature Cruise Experiences Foundation to help them stay with that dream as long as possible, to help them to reach “the unreachable stars.” “And the world will be better for it.”

We will be releasing more information about the newly-formed Signature Cruise Experiences Foundation in the coming weeks. We look forward to sharing this vision and the stories and music it creates. We may not impact the world, but we will help young musicians.

I apologize to those who wanted to know more about the relationship of jazz and Easter. Maybe next year we will explore that topic in more depth. Though, perhaps the plight of young musicians, their solemn devotion to what they believe, their pursuit of excellence and the sacrifices they make along the way may, in some ways, echo themes found in the Easter story.

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.

Jazz Appreciation Month

SCE Artists on Jazz

In celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, we asked 30 artists who sail on our programs what jazz means to them. We’ll be posting a new one to our social media pages every day in April. You can read each artist’s entire essay here.

Patrick Bartley and John Pizzarelli Perform in Dallas

If you are in the Dallas area this spring, you can hear two performers from The Jazz Cruise playing with a full big band. Both concerts are at the Eisemann Center in Richardson, TX.

Patrick Bartley will perform on Sunday, April 19. And John Pizzarelli will perform on Sunday, May 31. They will both perform with the 18-piece Texins Jazz Band, who are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. They have hosted 82 concerts with guest artists over those years.

LEARN MORE

Vail Jazz Festival

Our friends at Vail Jazz have let us know that tickets are now on sale for the 32nd Annual Vail Jazz Festival, taking place over Labor Day Weekend, September 4–6, 2026.

The lineup features many artists familiar to guests of The Jazz Cruise, including John Clayton, Niki Haris, Jeff Hamilton, Terell Stafford, Wycliffe Gordon, Lewis Nash, Camille Thurman, Sean Jones and many more.

Consider a trip to Vail to experience extraordinary music, stunning scenery, and a vibrant jazz community. Signature Cruise Experiences has supported Vail Jazz for more than 20 years.

LEARN MORE

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

Sailing in the Next 12 Months

Botti at Sea III (’26)

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Chris Botti hosts a West Coast Cruise with Amazing Talent and Fabulous Excursions & Events

Botti at Sea III (’26) is in Open Booking. Anyone may select any available stateroom and complete a reservation.

The lineup has been set for a few months. Joining Chris Botti will be Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs, Melody Gardot, Peabo Bryson, Regina Belle, Emmet Cohen, Veronica Swift, Candy Dulfer, John Splithoff, Morgan James, Benny Benack III, Kandace Springs, Harold Lopez-Nussa Trio ft. Gregoire Maret and more. The cruise will sail from Los Angeles to Vancouver, with calls in San Francisco and Victoria.

We recently had Chris Botti participate in a livestream for both booked guests and those interested in sailing. Members of our team detailed the events, shows and special excursions that this cruise offers in a 60+ minute video presentation which you can see below.

Botti at Sea III incorporates two experiences. First, is another edition of our famous cruise programs with nightly special shows, hours of additional music and intimate and insightful opportunities to learn more about our performers.

The second aspect of the programs is a robust offering of excursions and events when we dock in San Francisco (overnight) and in Victoria, BC (full day). You can visit wineries in Napa or Sonoma, tour Napa Valley on the Napa Valley Wine Train, dine at the finest restaurants, see special shows at SFJazz, and more. Each of these events are curated, produced and presented by us.

To learn more about the cruise and the amazing excursions, check out the Botti Cruise Livestream Video on-demand on our website and on YouTube.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

‘26.3 (9.11.26 – 9.18.26)
’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)
3 Sailings of “The Greatest Party at Sea”

Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise has sailed over 30 times since 2004. Year after year, there is a waitlist for staterooms and the cruises hit Fully Reserved earlier and earlier.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 is fully reserved. Guests wishing to sail on the cruise should Join the Wait List now. Any cancellations by current guests will be filled by the Wait List.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.1 and ‘27.2 are both in Open Booking. ’27.1 is more than 80% reserved and ’27.2 is more than 90% reserved. Please note that the itineraries for both sailings have been updated.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.1
Tampa – Ochos Rios – Grand Cayman – Tampa

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.2
Tampa – Grand Cayman – Ocho Rios – Tampa

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’27

1.12.27 – 1.17.27

Stay Tuned for the Lineup and Detail

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’26 (Foster ’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. As you recall, David wanted to learn more about how the cruise programs unfold before he casted the lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore Sailing ’27.

That moment has arrived. The lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore Sailing ’27 has been announced and includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.

Foster ’26 Guests are currently able to finalize rebooking of their staterooms through April 10, after which Pre-Sail Reservations holders will be eligible to select a stateroom and complete their reservation. There is still time to complete a Pre-Sail Reservation (no deposit or obligation required)—just click below.

JOIN DAVID FOSTER: THE HITMAN CRUISE ’27 PRE-SAIL

The Jazz Cruise ’27

1.17.27 – 1.24.27

Still the Greatest Jazz Festival at Sea

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

The Jazz Cruise reaches Fully Reserved every year and staterooms for The Jazz Cruise ’27 are being reserved faster and sooner than ever.

RESERVE A STATEROOM ON THE JAZZ CRUISE ’27

Journey of Jazz ’27

1.24.27 – 1.31.27

Now in Open Booking

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 and 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 and learn more about the history of jazz. As an example, Journey of Jazz ’27 will present Ledisi as a main show performer on the ship. In keeping with the theme of the cruise, Ledisi will perform her universally beloved Tribute to Dinah (Washington) program.

Details for the overnight stay in New Orleans are nearly complete. There will be special jazz shows in the city, dining at iconic New Orleans restaurants (Brennan’s, Commander’s Palace, Arnaud’s and more), tours of the city on land and by ship and much more. Each event in New Orleans will be curated, produced and presented by Signature Cruise Experiences.

Journey of Jazz ’27 is in Open Booking. You may select and reserve any available stateroom at this time. This may be the jazz experience of the year.

RESERVE A STATEROOM ON JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’27

Sailing in 18 Months

Botti at Sea IV (’27)

10.6.27 – 10.13.27

Chris Botti Takes His Cruise from Boston to Quebec

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3

10.13.27 – 10.20.27

This program will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events.

The exclusive Rebooking window for guests of The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 closed on March 31, 2026. Guests who completed a Pre-Sail Reservation will be invited to select their stateroom and complete their reservation starting on April 6, 2026.

Pre-Sail Reservations remain open through April 10, 2026 and are the best way to reserve a stateroom prior to Open Booking, which begins April 16, 2026.

JOIN THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘27.3 PRE-SAIL

The post Our Take: I’m Putting All My Eggs in One Basket appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

Our Take: An April to Remember

Kim Kelley — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 04:12:00 +0000

There are times in the year when there is so much going on that you are overwhelmed with choices and the dreaded Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) takes control of your mind. The beginning of April is one of FOMO’s high seasons.

After taking time for work, family and staying healthy, most of us, particularly those who read this column weekly, spend their time (1) enjoying sports, (2) observing religion and, of course, (3) enjoying music. We take time to eat, learn and, relax, but mostly we are actively pursuing those three endeavors.

When April 1 comes around next week, Major League Baseball will have had its opening games, the NCAA Final Four (men and women) will be determined and we will be one week or so away from the Masters Tournament. Almost nothing says Spring more than those three events.

I said “almost,” for the hands down harbinger of Spring is Easter. Though solemn and significant, the universal images are families dressed in the colors of the season heading to church, visiting family, enjoying Easter egg hunts and the first bloom of flowers. For those who live in Florida, Arizona, California or any place that has fewer than four Seasons, I apologize for the Hallmark card edition of Easter. I grew up and live in the center of the country.

April 1 is the first day of Passover, a holiday that centers around family and the enjoyment of the Passover Seder, a ritual meal recounting the story of the exodus from slavery in Egypt. Also, solemn and significant, the holiday celebrates renewal, which is the main theme of most Spring holidays.

Though Easter and Passover do not always overlap in the calendar, they are connected in many ways. For example, The Last Supper was a Passover Seder.

At this point, I will stop discussing religion, as the depth of my knowledge has been fully displayed above. Nor will I discuss more about sports, where my knowledge is extensive, but not pertinent nor would be of interest to anyone.

Guess what we will spend the rest of The Weekender talking about? For those who chose Jazz Appreciation Month, you are correct. Anyone who selected another topic should seriously consider requesting to be deleted from our mailing list.

We have a lot of exciting elements to our month-long celebration. We will share some of them with you today, some later and some will be surprises along the way.

Are you ready to celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month? We are!

JAM Artist of the Day

Last time we looked, April had 30 days. We selected 30 of our jazz performers and asked them the following question: “What is the meaning of Jazz Appreciation to you?”

SCE Jazz Master Lee Mergner will be curating those responses and will present one each day on our Facebook and Instagram pages along with his commentary on their response.

You may recall that Lee was recently named the recipient of the Bruce Lundvall Visionary Award. The annual award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and vision in expanding the audience for jazz and has made a difference for artists, the music and audience.

Guests will be invited to respond to the answers as well. Hopefully, we can create a dialogue that will result in a shared understanding of the meaning of the celebration.

SCE FACEBOOK

SCE INSTAGRAM

SCE Charity Goals for Jazz

One significant aspect of Jazz Appreciation Month is to learn more about the genre’s commitment to assisting jazz musicians in crisis and to providing jazz education and opportunities for young people to become involved. Over the years, SCE has supported many organizations that undertake those tasks. Some relationships have existed for more than 20 years.

With Lee Mergner’s help and assistance, SCE is embarking upon a new path to provide needed support to the jazz community. We will announce the formation of the Signature Cruise Experiences Foundation at the close of Jazz Appreciation Month.

Name Your Mt. Rushmore of Jazz

In 1941, in the Black Hills region of South Dakota, Gutzon Borglum and his son Lincoln, created a 60-ft.-high granite sculpture of the faces of U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Though the choice of these four presidents has been discussed in length, it is believed that they represent the founding, expansion, preservation and unification of our country.

Many of you would have chosen others to represent the nation, but what is done is done. What has not been determined is what four jazz greats (living and deceased) should be featured if a sculpture were created to honor the history of jazz.

In honor of Jazz Appreciation Month, we’re asking our readers to name the four jazz performers that you think should be enshrined in stone as the people who are the heart of the jazz world. In fairness, we are seeking two lists, one for performers still active and one for those who have passed.

Email your ballots to info@scecruises.com or click below to enter your submission. The results will be announced in the 5.2.26 edition of The Weekender.

SUBMIT YOUR JAZZ MT RUSHMORE CHOICES

Jazz at Lincoln Center Gala

With a theme of “Rhythms that Move the World,” the Jazz at Lincoln Center Gala will be held on April 15 at the Frederick Rose Hall in New York City.

Under the music direction of Carlos Henriquez, the Gala concert will feature performances by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, along with special guests Rubén Blades, Aymeé Nuviola, Shenel Johns, Ekep Nkwelle, Anthony Almonte, Herlin Riley, Jeremy Bosch and more.

The Gala will also honor Kathryn & Ken Chenault (Ed Bradley Award for Leadership in Jazz), Weedie Braimah (Award for Artistic Excellence) and Joan Chamorro (Global Citizen Award).

LEARN MORE

SFJAZZ Gala

On May 7, SFJAZZ presents its annual gala with the theme of “Milestones: Celebrating Miles & Trane at 100,” honoring the centennials of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. The SFJAZZ Gala will also honor guitar icon George Benson with the SFJAZZ Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating his innovation and lasting influence on generations of musicians and fans.

The event features a reception, dinner, all-star concert and after party at the SFJAZZ Center and at City Hall. Appearing at the All-Star Gala Concert are Terence Blanchard, Benson, Christian McBride, Marcus Miller, Lakecia Benjamin, Keyon Harrold, Tia Fuller, Randy Waldman, Isaiah Sharkey, Richard Bona and the SFJAZZ Collective.

LEARN MORE

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

VIEW ALL UPCOMING SCE SAILINGS

Sailing in the Next 12 Months

Botti at Sea III (’26)

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Chris Botti hosts the Perfect Music Experience – At Sea & on Land!

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

’26.3 (9.11.26 – 9.18.26)

’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)
3 Sailings of “The Greatest Party at Sea”

Known as “The Greatest Party at Sea,” The Smooth Jazz Cruise has sailed over 30 times since 2004. Year after year, there is a waitlist for staterooms and the cruises hit Fully Reserved earlier and earlier.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 is fully reserved. Guests wishing to sail on the cruise should Join the Wait List now. Any cancellations by current guests will be filled by the Wait List.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.1 and ‘27.2 are both in Open Booking. ’27.1 is more than 85% reserved and ’27.2 is more than 95% reserved. Please note that the itineraries for both sailings have been updated.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.1
Tampa – Cozumel – Grand Cayman – Tampa

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.2
Tampa – Grand Cayman – Ocho Rios – Tampa

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise
Encore Sailing ’27

1.12.27 – 1.17.27

One Sailing is Never Enough!

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’26 (Foster ’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. As you recall, David wanted to learn more about how the cruise programs unfold before he casted the lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore Sailing ’27.

That moment has arrived. Last week, the lineup for David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore Sailing ’27 was announced and includes Michael McDonald, Dianne Reeves, Katharine McPhee, Erich Bergen and more.

Foster ’26 Guests are currently able to finalize rebooking of their staterooms through April 10, after which Pre-Sail Reservations holders will be eligible to select a stateroom and complete their reservation. There is still time to complete a Pre-Sail Reservation (no deposit or obligation required)—just click below.

JOIN DAVID FOSTER: THE HITMAN CRUISE ’27 PRE-SAIL

The Jazz Cruise ’27

1.17.27 – 1.24.27

Still the Greatest Jazz Festival at Sea

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

The Jazz Cruise reaches Fully Reserved every year and staterooms for The Jazz Cruise ’27 are being reserved faster and sooner than ever.

RESERVE A STATEROOM ON THE JAZZ CRUISE ’27

Journey of Jazz ’27

1.24.27 – 1.31.27

Now in Open Booking

RESERVE A STATEROOM ON JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’27

Sailing in 18 Months

Botti at Sea IV (’27)

10.6.27 – 10.13.27

Chris Botti Takes His Cruise from Boston to Quebec

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3

10.13.27 – 10.20.27

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.3, which departs from Quebec City on 10.13.27 and sails through Canada terminating in Boston on 10.20.27, has been announced and will be an exciting combination of our customary great music, Fall colors and other special events.

From now through 3.31.26, guests sailing on The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 (’26 Guests) have the exclusive opportunity to reserve their ’26 stateroom for The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’27.3. Those who are not ’26 Guests may establish their priority for selecting a stateroom for that cruise by completing a Pre-Sail Reservation. Pre-Sail Reservations will be activated in mid-April.

JOIN THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘27.3 PRE-SAIL

The post Our Take: An April to Remember appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

Our Take: JAM is Our Jam

Kim Kelley — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 08:00:00 +0000

For those who bet on this week’s Our Take being a commentary on Jazz Appreciation Month, you win. For those who felt otherwise, you are invited to our weekly poker game. Bring your money and something comfortable upon which to sit.

JAM reminds me of the Star Trek Cruise we produced for years. Though our guests wore Star Trek costumes all the time, the cruise gave them the unfettered right to do so all day and all night for seven days and not feel the least guilty or self-conscious. During April, I am free to annoy my friends who are not jazz fans with stories about the music and 24/7 jazz references. Actually, I have only one friend who does not like jazz. Now, my other friend loves jazz. No worries there.

Most of my jazz world interaction is with our guests, our musicians and our team. Next week (Friday), I will be at the Berks Jazz Fest in Reading, Pennsylvania, which will be my first significant jazz interaction since the cruises. I cannot wait to see our jazz friends and to enjoy some great music. Marcus Miller and Eric Marienthal will be reprising their brilliant Tribute to David Sanborn on Friday, April 11 at the Scottish Rites Cathedral. Mindi Abair and her wine expert husband, Eric Guerra, will conduct a wine tasting at the venue immediately before the show.

Signature Cruise Experiences is the sponsor of the event and the wine reception and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the David Sanborn Fund at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. David’s widow, Alice Soyer Sanborn, will be in attendance and will participate in the show as well. If you have the opportunity to join us for this special show and for the rest of Berks Jazz Fest, by all means do so.

I promised you that I would take this month to detail those jazz events and jazz opportunities that I believe would enhance your knowledge and love of jazz. In thinking about this, my first thought was The Lowdown: Conversations with Christian, Christian McBride’s tour de force weekly show where he spends nearly an hour with an icon of jazz. They talk about their careers, laugh at their pitfalls, perform some live music together and play one of Christian’s quiz games. Those games include identifying musicians from recordings, a sports quiz or other mind-bending event.

The Lowdown is presented on the Real Jazz channel of SiriusXM radio, channel 67. Shows are broadcasted on Saturday mornings, but repeated throughout the week. And, like everything else in the world, you can stream the shows of your choice. About the only things that you cannot stream these days are The Weekender or one of our cruises. Which reminds me, Christian has recorded several of his shows on our cruises. Though not presented live, I have heard those shows being recorded and the on-air broadcasting sounds as live as it can be. Christian’s interview of Houston Person was particularly fun. Having known Houston for 25 years, I am hip to his funny side, which is in stark contrast to his stoic, seemingly standoffish, demeanor on stage.

Like so many of the icons of jazz, Houston takes his role very seriously and believes that the bandstand is for working, not joking. I get it, but it would be wonderful if everyone who loves jazz would be able to see Houston as the loving, caring and warm person that he is. I guess that if you listen to his music, you would know that only a truly kind person could make such beautiful music.

For those of you who are only casual jazz fans, you would love the people who love jazz and the musicians who play that music. Just as it is with Houston, it is difficult to imagine a bad person loving a music genre so beautiful. JAM is our Jam and it has only just begun.

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, Homecoming: The Cruise and Top Shelf Country Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com.

Christian McBride’s World at Sea

Join Christian for his First Ever “Cruise” Lowdown Livestream

Want to learn more about Christian McBride’s World at Sea cruise? Sign up now to join the first ever “Cruise” Lowdown Livestream with Christian McBride on Tuesday, April 29 at 3 PM ET for information about the cruise straight from the host!

Christian will preside over this livestream, share his thoughts, ideas and goals for this amazing cruise and talk about the first-class musicians who will be joining him. Guests will have the opportunity to send in questions and comments which will be answered in real time!

Learn why guests are calling this cruise the best of past programs such as North Sea Jazz Cruise, Playboy Jazz Cruise and Blue Note at Sea cruise. Christian McBride is the only bandleader we know whose ensembles make that boast.

When you add in the warmth, spirit and talents of Christian, you know that something special is about to happen. Join us for “The Cruise Lowdown” livestream on April 29.

Jeff Hamilton Organ Trio’s Coast to Coast

Guests on The Jazz Cruise earlier this year were treated to performances by a new band – the Jeff Hamilton Organ Trio, featuring Jeff with organist Akiko Tsuruga and guitarist Steve Kovalcheck. They’ve just released a new album, Coast to Coast, which is Jeff’s 23rd album as a band leader.

The title comes in part from the bandmembers’ divergent geographic bases – with Akiko coming from NYC, Steve from Colorado and Jeff, of course, based in LA. The three cover some classic organ trio cuts, as well as a few new compositions by Jeff.

“The compatibility of this trio is what reaches the ears,” Jeff told us. “There is a musical friendship of thinking the same way and trusting each other…while tapping your foot.”

LEARN MORE

Berks Jazz Fest Wine Reception with Mindi Abair

Join Mindi Abair and her husband, wine producer Eric Guerra, for a special VIP Wine Tasting Reception at Berks Jazz Fest immediately prior to the David Sanborn Tribute Concert. During the reception, you will enjoy a meet-and-greet with Eric Marienthal, Marcus Miller and other concert performers.

The reception will be held on Friday, April 11 at 4PM in the banquet area of the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Tickets are $55 and all proceeds benefit the David Sanborn Memorial Fund at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Click below to reserve your spot today.

WINE RECEPTION RSVP

Stateroom Availability

Cruise Programs – 2025

Journey of Jazz

Over 92% Reserved. Balcony Staterooms Available – Special Pricing for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms (Lowest Price Ever – Promo Code: JOURNEY)

Cruise Programs – 2026

Homecoming: The Cruise	Open Booking Now; For Special Prices on Staterooms, use Promo Code: HTC
Christian McBride’s World at Sea	Open Booking Now; For Special Prices for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms, use Promo Code: CMW
The Jazz Cruise ’26	Open Booking Now
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1	96% Reserved – Open Booking Now
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2	Fully Reserved
Top Shelf Country Cruise	Full Lineup and Itinerary Announced Open Booking Now
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3	77% Reserved – Open Booking Now
Botti at Sea ’26	Open Booking Now

Signature Cruise Experiences’ Programs

JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’25
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Promotional pricing is available on Ocean View and Inside Staterooms for Journey of Jazz! Make your reservation today using promo code WEEKENDER for significant savings*! Exciting land-based concerts and excursions are also available! *Discount applies to new reservations only.

BOOK NOW

HOMECOMING: THE CRUISE ’26
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Join us for a celebration of HBCUs and inspired by the tradition of the Divine Nine Challenge from recent sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise. Sailing January 15 – 20, 2026 (including MLK Day), this cruise will deliver Excellence, Education and Entertainment. For the best available prices on all Stateroom Categories, use Promo Code HTC during the booking process. Reserve Your Stateroom Today!

BOOK NOW

CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S WORLD AT SEA
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

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 has begun! Right now, special pricing is available for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms*. To save, use the promo code CMW during the reservation process. *Discount applies to new reservations only.

BOOK NOW

THE JAZZ CRUISE ’26
Open Booking Now Available

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. The Jazz Cruise ’26 is in Open Booking! Anyone may now reserve any available stateroom. This program always hits “fully reserved.” The only question is when!

BOOK NOW

THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.1 & 26.2
Open Booking Now Available

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 is in Open Booking (anyone may reserve any available stateroom) and staterooms are more than 96% reserved. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 is Fully Reserved, but you may join the Waitlist. Reserve your stateroom today!

BOOK NOW

THE TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Open Booking Now Available

The inaugural sailing will feature headline artist Keith Urban and widely popular personalities from iHeartMedia’s The Bobby Bones Show, led by Bobby Bones himself. Top Shelf Country Cruise is now in Open Booking! Anyone may select any available stateroom and complete a reservation. Guests are not required to submit a Pre-Sail Reservation and may proceed directly to the Stateroom Selection process. Reserve your stateroom today!

BOOK NOW

THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.3
Open Booking Now Available

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.

BOOK NOW

BOTTI AT SEA’26
Open Booking Now Available

We’re thrilled to be able to announce that Boz Scaggs, Elvis Costello and Melody Gardot will be onboard Botti at Sea ’26. Of course, Chris Botti will be there with his very talented band and, as always, we will fill the remaining performance slots with a variety of great music, comedy and more. Open Booking has begun. Reserve your stateroom today!

BOOK NOW

Send us Your Mug Shots

We know many readers of The Weekender like to peruse each edition over their morning coffee. And, if you’ve sailed with us, you likely have at least one (or perhaps many) Signature Cruise Experiences mugs just for that purpose. Over the years, The Weekender has featured several pictures of cruisers showing off their mugs, pictures we affectionately refer to as “Mug Shots.”

If you want to share your “Mug Shot” with the 100,000+ readers who receive The Weekender each Saturday, email a photo of yourself and your mug to mugshot@scecruises.com. Who knows? You may just see yourself in a future edition.

Mug Shots of the Week

Richard – Florida

Jo Ann C.
Florida

Tag us @thejazzcruise, @bottiatsea, @thesmoothjazzcruise, #signaturecruiseexperiences and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@scecruises.com.

The post Our Take: JAM is Our Jam appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

Our Take: Almost Jazz Appreciation Month

Kim Kelley — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Earlier this week, we highlighted the soon-to-be beginning of Jazz Appreciation Month. Well, we are still not there, but we are getting very close! That JAM starts each year on April Fool’s Day is curious at best, disappointing at worst. If there was ever any music genre that we would not joke about or play tricks on, it would be jazz! Perhaps the only fools are those who are not fans! That is a bit harsh and I apologize, but if we cannot crow about our music during JAM, then we are not doing this right!

So, what type of jazz fan are you? In golf you are judged by your handicap. Tennis has numerical rankings. Other sports have beginners, novices, intermediates, advanced, etc. Let’s see if we can derive a system to measure the degree and type of jazz fan each of us are. It will not be easy nor will it be determinative, but, with any luck, it will be fun and thought provoking.

Level 1: “I Think I Know What Jazz Is”

Once people know what I do for a living, most will say (politely) “I like jazz, too.” Three ways to respond here. Smile and move on. Ask them to name their favorite jazz musicians (usually the best way to learn about the jazz tastes of someone who is, in fact, listening to jazz). Or, if you are in a diabolical mindset and wish to “out” an impostor, ask them “what type of jazz do your prefer?” If the response is on point, then you should feel badly about judging them. If not on point, then you have found a Level 1 Jazz Fan – someone who believes they know what jazz is, but simply cannot articulate it.

Level 2: “Fake It ‘Til You Make It”

Level 2 folks know a few names and may have seen a show or two. They know that being a “jazz” person is cool and will elevate their status in your eyes. It is entirely up to you as to how to handle this person. The most benevolent approach is to let them bask in the glory of making you think that they know jazz. Whether you take that approach or circle in for the kill is largely dependent upon your sense of whether the person is harmless or not. In defining “harm,” the test is whether the person is perpetrating their limited knowledge upon others, particularly those who are genuinely trying to learn.

I would argue that, in those cases, you have a duty to burst their bubble. It is hard enough to encourage folks to learn more about jazz without someone feeding them the wrong information. The unsuspecting fan may pass that wrong information on and could become embarrassed by someone who is more knowledgeable. This would likely thwart our hopeful pupil from trying to learn more.

I am reminded of the guest who grilled Freddy Cole on his latest recordings, claiming to know each of his sidemen. At one point, he asked Freddy “do you come from a musical family?” No recovery from that one.

Level 3: “I Know What I Like”

These are my favorite fans. They know what they like to hear and could care less about who wrote the song, who arranged the song and who the sidemen are on the recording. There is an authenticity and genuineness in someone who likes what they like and does not need to justify or explain it away. Hopefully, at some point, their curiosity will blossom and they will delve into the “who,” “when” and “what” of a tune. Or not!

Level 4: “Of Course I Know That One”

This fan is tricky. Not only do they love the music, but they know a lot about it. Only they do not know everything about it and are unwilling to admit that. It will take a moment to identify one of those as they will be on subject most of the time. Their fatal flaw is not that they do not know everything, it is their refusal to be okay with that. I’ve never understood why someone would fear having others know that they do not know a particular song, singer, instrumentalist, composer or arranger. Unless you selected “JAZZ” as a topic on Jeopardy!, the penalty for being wrong is minimal at best.

Level 5: “I Love Jazz. Tell Me More”

This level is sublime. You know you love the music. You know a lot about the music. Enough to be able to realize the context of the song, to identify the instruments, if not the musicians themselves, and to know that you can “feel” what is happening. If you are at a live set, you are watching the interaction of the musicians. If you are listening to a recording of the music, you are imagining what that interaction must be like.

You are at peace with yourself, your surroundings and your purpose in listening. As the nuances of the music are unveiled to you, you ask yourself if you have heard other renditions of this song, who performed on those recordings and whether you like the new version or the older version. Your mind wanders, relaxes and settles in to enjoy the music. Your thoughts are simplified. You love Jazz. You want more.

Even if I never reach Level 5, the Holy Grail of Jazz, I am having a great time trying!

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, Homecoming: The Cruise and Top Shelf Country Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@scecruises.com.

Hot Offers: Journey of Jazz ’25

Regardless of your Jazz Fan Level, Journey of Jazz ’25 fits your jazz acumen. In many respects, the cruise is a 7-day tutorial on the life of jazz. Marcus Miller will reprise his History of Jazz, only this time doing so in 100, not 60 minutes. Each performer has been selected to reflect one or more aspects of what makes jazz so special.

And, the West Coast itinerary, while not customarily associated with the history of the music, is certainly in line with the music’s lifestyle. Excursions to Sonoma and Napa, shows at SFJAZZ, culinary opportunities in San Francisco. No other music would be as perfect for those settings than jazz.

Journey of Jazz ’25 sails in about 6 months and fewer than 100 staterooms remain available. While staterooms with balconies (Concierge Class/AquaClass and Veranda) remain available, the largest inventory are Ocean View and Inside Staterooms.

You can reserve an Inside Stateroom on the cruise for under $2,000/person and there are special prices for Ocean View staterooms. Reservations may be completed online or by calling the office and are based upon double occupancy, available for new reservations only and non-commissionable. Further, this discount may not be combined with any other offer (Promo Code: JOURNEY).

Berks Jazz Fest Wine Reception with Mindi Abair

Join Mindi Abair and her husband, wine producer Eric Guerra, for a special VIP Wine Tasting Reception at Berks Jazz Fest immediately prior to the David Sanborn Tribute Concert. During the reception, you will enjoy a meet-and-greet with Eric Marienthal, Marcus Miller, and other concert performers.

The reception will be held on Friday, April 11 at 4PM in the banquet area of the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Tickets are $55 and all proceeds benefit the David Sanborn Memorial Fund at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Click below to reserve your spot today.

WINE RECEPTION RSVP

John Splithoff’s Far From Here

Singer-songwriter John Splithoff, a regular performer on Botti at Sea, has just released Far From Here, a new album that reflects upon his move from New York to Los Angeles. “City Days” which features Chris Botti on trumpet, pays homage to his relationship with New York City at the various stages of his life. Tracks like “Glacier” symbolize relationships growing apart against the backdrop of Montana’s natural beauty, while “Oh Betty” tells a nostalgic story about the Buick Century he drove during his college days in Miami. “Same Page” recalls a transformative camping trip in Arizona that inspired his move west, and “Kyoto Snow” transports listeners to Japan, where he saw snowfall for the first time at a temple in Kyoto.

“A lot of these songs are associated with a time and place that hold a lot of meaning to me,” John explained. “I also noticed, within all that change, how my relationships ebbed and flowed—I felt closer to people I didn’t know as well, and I felt distant from people who I considered my best friends and family. So it’s been an eye-opening path.”

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100th Episode of Jazz Cruises’ Conversations Podcast

John Pizzarelli with Catherine Russell

The Jazz Cruises Conversations podcast resumes for its sixth season with the 100th episode, which features a conversation from the recent sailing of The Jazz Cruise, between two of our longtime favorite performers – vocalist Catherine Russell and guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli, with Catherine taking on the interviewer role.

For the last few years, John and Catherine have been performing together in a project they call ‘Billie and Blue Eyes,’ spotlighting the music of Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra. John talked about coming up in the jazz and music world and hanging (and playing) with legends like Benny Goodman, Les Paul, Joe Venuti, Zoot Sims, Slam Stewart, Clark Terry, George Shearing and, of course, his father Bucky. Plus, John shared some stories about working with pop icons James Taylor and Paul McCartney.

You can listen to this interview, as well as any of the 99 past episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify or iTunes or wherever you access your podcasts. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any of the upcoming episodes.

LISTEN ON ITUNES

LISTEN ON SPOTFIY

Stateroom Availability

Cruise Programs – 2025

Journey of Jazz

Over 89% Reserved. Balcony Staterooms Available – Special Pricing for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms (Lowest Price Ever – Promo Code: JOURNEY)

Cruise Programs – 2026

Homecoming: The Cruise	Open Booking Now; For Special Prices on Staterooms, use Promo Code: HTC
Christian McBride’s World at Sea	Open Booking Now; For Special Prices for Ocean View and Inside Staterooms, use Promo Code: CMW
The Jazz Cruise ’26	Open Booking Now
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1	96% Reserved – Open Booking Now
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2	Fully Reserved
Top Shelf Country Cruise	Full Lineup and Itinerary Announced Monday Open Booking Now
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3	76% Reserved – Open Booking Now
Botti at Sea ’26	Open Booking Now

Signature Cruise Experiences’ Programs

JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’25
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

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HOMECOMING: THE CRUISE ’26
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

Join us for a celebration of HBCUs and inspired by the tradition of the Divine Nine Challenge from recent sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise. Sailing January 15 – 20, 2026 (including MLK Day), this cruise will deliver Excellence, Education and Entertainment. For the best available prices on all Stateroom Categories, use promo code HTC during the booking process. Reserve Your Stateroom Today!

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CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S WORLD AT SEA
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

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THE JAZZ CRUISE ’26
Open Booking Now Available

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THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.1 & 26.2
Open Booking Now Available

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 is in Open Booking (anyone may reserve any available stateroom) and staterooms are more than 95% reserved. The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.2 is Fully Reserved, but you may join the Waitlist. Reserve your stateroom today!

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THE TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Final Lineup & Itinerary Now Available!

Our headliners are Keith Urban, Lee Brice, Scotty McCreery, Parmalee, LeAnn Rimes, Thelma & James and Kassi Ashton. As you can see, the lineup is Top Shelf country music star power.

When the talent is combined with the iHeartMedia Team of Bobby Bones, Amy Brown, Lunchbox, Eddie and Lorianne Crook & Charlie Chase, the ultra-luxurious Celebrity Reflection cruise ship and wonderful ports of call (Key West, Nassau and Bimini), Top Shelf Country Cruise earns its title as the First-Class Country Music Cruise. Reserve your stateroom today!

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THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.3
Open Booking Now Available

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BOTTI AT SEA’26
Open Booking Now Available

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Send us Your Mug Shots

Mug Shot of the Week

Nikki M.
Maryland

Tag us @thejazzcruise, @bottiatsea, @thesmoothjazzcruise, #signaturecruiseexperiences and #theweekender. Email your photo to MugShot@scecruises.com.

The post Our Take: Almost Jazz Appreciation Month appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

OUR TAKE: Jazz Appreciation Month

Jordan — Sat, 20 Apr 2024 23:03:38 +0000

Our preoccupation with the McDonald – LaBelle Cruise postponed our annual discussion about April being Jazz Appreciation Month. I will forego that customary “we appreciate jazz every month” bromide and go straight ahead (get it!) to the heart of the matter. That being an honest discussion about our love of jazz and what that means to Jazz Cruises.

Last night, I tried to watch a movie, The Bricklayer, a remarkably lame attempt to portray some type of CIA v. KGB plot being perpetrated in Greece involving a former CIA agent presumed to be dead, a female CIA agent who could not have passed the initial testing for her post, and a retired CIA agent disillusioned by the US government and seeking revenge for a needless killing in the past. I told you it was lame.

Why am I mentioning this dog of a film at all? Because our bricklayer, played painfully by Aaron Eckhart, despite his coarse and rough appearance and lifestyle, loves jazz. His earbuds seem to be stuck on Miles Davis as every time his music is referenced, another Miles comment is made. My point is a modest one. Whenever movies, tv, or those in real life, need to claim to be cool, being a jazz fan is one of the “go to” tricks to do just that. I have called this out before, but it continues to be used, and, for the most part, very effectively.

I have often posited that the upper crust in society has two musical choices. One being the symphony and classical music, the other being jazz. Broadway musicals are a distant third, but somehow supporting those shows has more of a fiscal tinge than that of being a benefactor. Supporting the symphony and jazz events appeals to those who need to “save” something from extinction, so they believe. So, the tie-in to being a “jazz fan” has snob appeal, as well as a full dose of noblesse oblige.

As you can tell from my choice of vocabulary, I have utter disdain for this use of “jazz.” That it is very inaccurate is second only to the fact that this characterization becomes a crutch and an excuse for those who do not embrace jazz to marginalize its importance and value. Elitism in any form is unattractive, so painting our music as appealing only to snobs upsets me.

Jazz is more than simply a status symbol. Jazz is a life choice and provides the basis for important life lessons. Only recently, we were working with someone who was very talented, but was having difficulty being part of the group. Their pursuit of objectives was personal and not for the betterment of the project or of the company. Explaining my concerns was difficult until I realized that the explanation was imbedded in the music we love.

Jazz is a shared activity. The goal is the sound and the experience, both of which have many components and authors. Someone may be the very best player in the world, but that does not always mean that they fit within the direction of the band. How many times have you heard a jazz group praised for being “tight”? That only happens when they are on the same page, the same mission, and sharing the same purpose. Watching and listening to a “tight” group is an exhilarating experience.

Those moments are why I appreciate jazz. Yes, there are instances where this feat is accomplished by bands in other music genres, but, for the most part, other genres are leader driven and the other band members provide support. In jazz, you pull one player out of the group, and you have nothing. Our music is the polar opposite of elitism. No jazz musician would ever envision their performance as being above that of their fellow players. There are solos, to be sure. There are headliners, to be sure. But at the heart of every jazz band is the sharing of the bandstand and the sharing of the music.

April is Jazz Appreciation Month. It is not a time to strut or to make non-jazz fans feel dumb or inferior. Instead, it is a time to share our music with others, take someone to a live show, let them bask in the richness of the presentations and watch a trio, a quartet, a quintet, or a Big Band perform together in an atmosphere of inclusion, cooperation and sharing. Having spent my last 25 years in and around the world of jazz, working with and sharing time with jazz musicians, and trying to create amazing experiences for jazz fans, not only do I appreciate jazz, but I admire and respect every aspect of the genre.

Whether I am a better person for my love of jazz is up to others to decide. Whether my love of jazz makes me feel better about my place in the world and my life is up to me. That is what I contemplate during Jazz Appreciation Month.

Be sure to watch for the next edition of Jazz Notes (4.24). The entire piece is dedicated to Jazz Appreciation Month. We look at how each of our programs enrich the world of jazz.

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

Jazz Appreciation Month on Watercolors

Botti at Sea’25
The Botti Vibe

One of our long time guests who sailed with us on the inaugural sailing of Botti at Sea ’24 also joined us last week for the McDonald – LaBelle Cruise. Commenting on how delightfully different both cruises were in terms of atmosphere and tone, she said that the three day cruise featuring Michael McDonald and Patti LaBelle was like a sprint to the finish line. One explosion of energy at levels that would burn brightly for the time allotted and then stop. Very exciting and very stimulating.

She then took up our definition of Botti at Sea and moved it forward. Internally, we call the cruise the “Botti Vibe.” She offered that the Botti Vibe must be enjoyed over a 7 day period. Like a fine wine and a great dinner, Botti at Sea is meant to be savored. Every day is another adventure in paradise and every night is a night on the town featuring the finest performers in the world. With Chris Botti being the ultimate Master of Ceremonies, that sailing was a “dream vacation” for her. As she said, the Botti Vibe is the ultimate live entertainment experience at sea. So much to enjoy. So much to experience.

Botti at Sea II (’25) is in Open Booking now. Anyone may select and reserve any available stateroom.

Ken Peplowski’s Unheard Bird

Ken Peplowski, one of our longtime headliners and hosts on The Jazz Cruise, has just released a new album Unheard Bird, that features a collection of arrangements that the legendary Charlie “Bird” Parker commissioned for strings but never got a chance to record. Parker released the classic Bird with Strings album in 1950 and it was one of his most popular recordings. Ken performs a different set of arrangements in this album that also features Terell Stafford (trumpet), Glenn Zaleski (piano), Peter Washington (bass) and Willie Jones III (drums), backed by an orchestra conducted by Loren Schoenberg. Among the 14 songs they recorded are classic standards such as “Yesterdays,” “I Cover the Waterfront,” “You Go to My Head,” “Stardust,” and “Summertime.”

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Oscar Peterson’s The Africa Suite

On June 12, SFJAZZ is presenting the U.S. premiere of Oscar Peterson’s “The Africa Suite” which was composed in 1979 but was never recorded or performed in its entirety during his lifetime. The concert, which will also include a full performance of Oscar’s 1964 “Canadiana Suite,” will be anchored by a core quartet featuring Benny Green, Russell Malone, Jeff Hamilton and John Clayton, as well as special guests Kenny Barron, Gerald Clayton, Tamir Hendelman and Robert Hurst. John, who arranged the suite, will conduct the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. “When I met Oscar he was composing ‘The Africa Suite’ and spoke of it in concert when he played ‘Nigerian Marketplace’ or ‘Peace,’” explained Kelly Peterson, Oscar’s wife and executor of his estate. “One of the goals I set for myself after Oscar’s passing was to present the full suite in concert, the completion of a work he had never been able to perform in its entirety. Add John Clayton’s vision and gorgeous arrangement, and it is exhilarating to hear, and feels like our gift to Oscar. This is truly the fulfillment of a dream.”

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STL Jazz Fest 2-Day Tickets Available! Individual Tickets On Sale 5.31!

2-Day Tickets are now available on Ticketmaster for STL JAZZ FEST. 1-Day Tickets will go on sale Friday, May 31. For details about the festival and how to purchase tickets, see below:

STL JAZZ FEST
Produced by Jazz Cruises
The Factory – Chesterfield (St. Louis) Missouri

FRIDAY AUGUST 23, 2024
Eric Marienthal Quintet, featuring Niki Haris
The Comedy of Alonzo Bodden
GREGORY PORTER

SATURDAY AUGUST 24, 2024
Mindi Abair with Eric Marienthal & Friends
The Comedy of Alonzo Bodden
BRIAN CULBERTSON

Doors 6 pm / Showtime 7 pm

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW

Jazz Cruises’ ’25 Programs

The Jazz Cruise ’25
Celebrating its 25^th Anniversary

The plans for the 25th Anniversary sailing of The Jazz Cruise ’25 are spectacular. The cruise is over 86% reserved and is currently in Open Booking, which means that now anyone may reserve any available stateroom. Staterooms with Verandas remain in inventory along with Ocean View and Inside Staterooms.

BOOK NOW

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘25.1 & ‘25.2
Starting its 3^rd Decade

With both sailings being fully reserved, guests wishing to sail on a ’25 sailing of The Smooth Jazz Cruise should JOIN WAITLIST now. Cancellations will be filled exclusively from the WAITLIST. WAITLIST guests qualify for special terms when reserving a stateroom on The Jazz Cruise ’25 or Botti at Sea II.

JOIN WAITLIST

Botti at Sea ’25
Every Night is a Night on the Town

Botti at Sea II began “Open Booking” on March 5, 2024 and is over 60% reserved. Anyone may reserve any available stateroom either by calling the office during regular business hours or doing so online.

BOOK NOW

Journey of Jazz ’25
Jazz Life at Sea & On Land

Jazz Cruises’ newest program, Journey of Jazz ’25, hosted by Marcus Miller & Gregory Porter, has completed the Pre-Sale process and began Open Booking on April 30, 2024. Like a race care, this program as gone from 0 – 60(%) sold in the blink of an eye.

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Mug Shots of the Week

Tina B. – Colorado

Dave and Evone – California

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.

The post OUR TAKE: Jazz Appreciation Month appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH Archives - Signature Cruise Experiences

Jazz Notes: 4.29.26

Tomorrow is International Jazz Day

Veranda Plus: A New Stateroom Category on the Ship!

Veranda Plus Stateroom Amenities

Veranda Plus Stateroom Rules

International Jazz Day in Chicago

Upcoming Livestream Events

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore Livestream: 5.14.26 / 4PM ET

On-Demand Livestream Events

Journey of Jazz Livestream Available On-Demand

Botti at Sea Livestream Available On-Demand

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

SCE Sailings in ’27

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3

9.11.26 – 9.18.2634th Sailing of “The Greatest Party at Sea”

Botti at Sea III (’26)

9.18.26 – 9.25.26The West Coast Edition – The Perfect Music Experience

SCE Sailings in ’27

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’27

1.12.27 – 1.17.27

Stay Tuned for the Lineup and Detail

The Jazz Cruise ’27

1.17.27 – 1.24.27

Journey of Jazz ’27

1.24.27 – 1.31.27

Now in Open Booking

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27) ’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)

Botti at Sea IV (’27)

10.6.27 – 10.13.27

Chris Botti Takes His Cruise from Boston to Quebec

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3

10.13.27 – 10.20.27

Jazz Notes: 4.8.26

The Anatomy of a Cruise Lineup

Leslie Odom, Jr.: A Singer’s Singer

SCE Artists on Jazz

Step Inside the “Perfect” Cruise: Botti at Sea III Livestream on 4.23

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

SCE Sailings in ’26

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

’26.3 (9.11.26 – 9.18.26)

Botti at Sea III (’26)

9.18.26 – 9.25.26The West Coast Edition – The Perfect Music Experience

SCE Sailings in ’27

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’27

1.12.27 – 1.17.27

The Jazz Cruise ’27

1.17.27 – 1.24.27

Journey of Jazz ’27

1.24.27 – 1.31.27

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

Sailing in 18 Months

Botti at Sea IV (’27)

10.6.27 – 10.13.27

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘27.3

10.13.27 – 10.20.27

Our Take: I’m Putting All My Eggs in One Basket

Jazz Appreciation Month

SCE Artists on Jazz

Patrick Bartley and John Pizzarelli Perform in Dallas

Vail Jazz Festival

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

Sailing in the Next 12 Months

Botti at Sea III (’26)

9.18.26 – 9.25.26Chris Botti hosts a West Coast Cruise with Amazing Talent and Fabulous Excursions & Events

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

‘26.3 (9.11.26 – 9.18.26)’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)3 Sailings of “The Greatest Party at Sea”

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’27

1.12.27 – 1.17.27

Stay Tuned for the Lineup and Detail

The Jazz Cruise ’27

1.17.27 – 1.24.27

Still the Greatest Jazz Festival at Sea

Journey of Jazz ’27

1.24.27 – 1.31.27

Now in Open Booking

Sailing in 18 Months

Botti at Sea IV (’27)

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore Livestream:
5.14.26 / 4PM ET

9.11.26 – 9.18.26
34th Sailing of “The Greatest Party at Sea”

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
The West Coast Edition – The Perfect Music Experience

’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)

Step Inside the “Perfect” Cruise:
Botti at Sea III Livestream on 4.23

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
The West Coast Edition – The Perfect Music Experience

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Chris Botti hosts a West Coast Cruise with Amazing Talent and Fabulous Excursions & Events

‘26.3 (9.11.26 – 9.18.26)
’27.1 (1.31.27 – 2.7.27)
’27.2 (2.7.27 – 2.14.27)
3 Sailings of “The Greatest Party at Sea”

9.18.26 – 9.25.26
Chris Botti hosts the Perfect Music Experience – At Sea & on Land!

David Foster: The Hitman Cruise
Encore Sailing ’27

JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’25
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

HOMECOMING: THE CRUISE ’26
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S WORLD AT SEA
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

THE JAZZ CRUISE ’26
Open Booking Now Available

THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.1 & 26.2
Open Booking Now Available

THE TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Open Booking Now Available

THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.3
Open Booking Now Available

BOTTI AT SEA’26
Open Booking Now Available

JOURNEY OF JAZZ ’25
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

HOMECOMING: THE CRUISE ’26
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S WORLD AT SEA
Limited Time Promotional Pricing

THE JAZZ CRUISE ’26
Open Booking Now Available

THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.1 & 26.2
Open Booking Now Available

THE TOP SHELF COUNTRY CRUISE
Final Lineup & Itinerary Now Available!

THE SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE ‘26.3
Open Booking Now Available

BOTTI AT SEA’26
Open Booking Now Available