The age curve for every music cruise skews to the upper end with income and time availability being the main factors. Our programs reflect that demographic in terms of music selection, manner of presentation, non-music events and ship selection. Even the choice of mealtimes, menu, pillow gifts, Artist Hosted Events, showtimes and more are driven by the nature of our guests.

This should not be surprising as the cruises we present are 100% guest-oriented. The programs are for the guests, based upon their interests and requests. Keeping up with the nuances and propensities of our guests is a full-time job, one that we intend to augment in the upcoming year. We want to know what you are thinking.

Let’s talk about our findings. More and more, guests from The Jazz Cruise, our most “in the pocket” jazz program, are adding other cruises to their Sailing Histories. Granted, adding Journey of Jazz is not a huge leap of faith, but those guests are also drawn to Botti at Sea and David Foster: The Hitman Cruise. When asked why, guests call out specific performers and, in the case of Botti at Sea, the spectacular itinerary and excursions being offered.

Which artists stoke the moves? Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs and Melody Gardot are mentioned frequently when folks are taking in the Botti cruise. And Michael McDonald, Leslie Odom, Jr. and Dianne Reeves have jazz fans reserving staterooms on the Foster cruise. Do you see the pattern? It is the Hunt for Mature Music that moves the needle.

Journey of Jazz has its own set of stalwarts (Marcus Miller, Gregory Porter, Wynton Marsalis, Ledisi), but those artists are much closer to the core of our guests than the others mentioned above.

At this point, we need to point out that Top Shelf Country Cruise, while presenting superstar Keith Urban last cruise and meteorically rising Riley Green on the next cruise, is outside of our revolving door of cruise programs. Of the 2,500 guests on Top Shelf Country Cruise ’26, only three guests had sailed on other Signature Cruise Experiences programs. It may be time to either jazz up the country cruise or country up the jazz cruises. Guitarist Bruce Forman performed a cowboy jazz set on The Jazz Cruise many years ago.

For those still trying to guess who the new guest on the Botti cruise is, they fit right in the middle of this illustrious grouping of performers. I love a good riddle, particularly when I know that the answer will elicit a “Wow!”

Basically, our jazz fans, when not listening to jazz, seem to favor Adult Contemporary (AC) music. A wide range of AC music to be sure, but their tastes are not Pop or gimmicky. They enjoy great vocalists who present with substance and style. Musicians who separate themselves by the significance of their playing.

In short, our jazz fans are music snobs – in a good way. As we have heard so many times over the years, there are only two kinds of music: good and bad. When we ask our guests, “when you are not listening to Jazz, what is your music?” the answer is an easy one. 

They listen to good music.

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.

Journey of Jazz Welcomes John Pizzarelli

Journey of Jazz ’27 is a cruise that entertains, excites and educates. We’ve already spent time sharing the entertainment and excitement portions of the cruise, so let’s explore the educational aspects.

It begins the very first night, when Marcus Miller takes you on a musical journey sharing the history of jazz from all angles. Not only does he share rare insights on the musicians that have paved the way for jazz, but he examines how the music itself was born, raised and matured. To quote the tagline from Marcus’ Real Jazz Marcus Time show, his History of Jazz cruise show is the “full 360 degrees.”

Gregory Porter and Ledisi will have their own tribute shows and, of course, Wynton Marsalis will be the conductor of History of Jazz – New Orleans style. There will be several other shows of this type, including our most recent addition: the great John Pizzarelli. Longtime member of the core of The Jazz Cruise, John will be bringing his Nat King Cole and Duke Ellington tribute shows to Journey of Jazz ’27.

Jazz’ #1 raconteur is also one of the most talented musicians in the genre who takes pride in his dedication to the music and his knowledge of our history is as deep as his affection for it.

Peabo Bryson on Watercolors

In the wake of Peabo Bryson‘s untimely passing, it is a balm to so many of us that his legacy lives on in our memories and in the music he left behind.

In the spirit of his memory living on, it means a great deal to us that Sirius XM’s Watercolors with Talaya will be rebroadcasting Peabo’s 2016 performance from The Smooth Jazz Cruise. Remember him in music this Saturday, June 6 at 4 PM ET

Last Chance to Sail in ’26: Chris Botti at Sea III

Since January, Signature Cruise Experiences has produced six sailings, serving well over 13,000 guests. The last two sailings are in September, The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.3 (SJC ’26.3) and Chris Botti at Sea III. SJC ’26.3 is fully reserved. You may join the Waitlist for the sailing, but there are nearly 1,000 entrants at this time.

Your last chance to sail with us in ’26 is Chris Botti at Sea III and that sailing has a limited number of staterooms remaining. Due to the significant planning required to set up the Signature Cruise Experiences’ excursions that are being offered in San Francisco and Victoria, BC, the guest manifest for Chris Botti at Sea III will need to be finalized sooner than normal.

To make all this happen, remaining Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms will be sold at CloseOut Cruise Prices. This offer is first come, first served.

For more information about Chris Botti at Sea III, CloseOut Cruise Prices or to learn more about the excursions available, visit www.bottiatsea.com 

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

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

STATEROOM CLOSEOUT SALE IN EFFECT
For more information, see above.

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David Foster: The Hitman Cruise Encore

1.12.27 – 1.17.27
Tampa – Cozumel – Costa Maya – Tampa

Now Available: Special Cruise Prices for
Ocean View & Inside Staterooms

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.

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The Jazz Cruise ’27

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

Now Available: Special Cruise Prices for
Ocean View & Inside Staterooms

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.

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Journey of Jazz ’27

1.24.27 – 1.31.27
Tampa – New Orleans – Progreso – Tampa

Now Available: Special Cruise Prices for
Ocean View & Inside Staterooms

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.

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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 nearly 95% reserved at this time.

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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. 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.

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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: What’s Your Music When Not Listening to Jazz? appeared first on Signature Cruise Experiences.

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.

READ MORE

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.

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

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

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.

Several others are involved as we each approach the performance schedules from different viewpoints and champion different constituencies. For instance, our Food & Beverage team checks out the shows in terms of dining times and how soon or how late we can use the main dining room. My role is the simplest. I look at every show on The Jazz Cruise and event from the vantage point of the guests. My sole governing precept is what is best for the guests. From a musician or production point of view, a show may be best in a certain venue and at a certain time. But if doing so negatively impacts the guest experience, then we move the show to another place and time.

Some conflicts are inevitable and we cannot produce a schedule that enables guests to see every show when they wish. The Jazz Cruise presents over 200 hours of music and programming. Since no venue holds the entire manifest, there must be more than one show at any given time and guests will need to make choices.

In most cases, the choices are between or among a variety of great shows. Some of those shows will be repeated, but some are one-offs. Careful planning is the watchword. This “embarrassment of riches” is exacerbated by the overwhelming number of programming opportunities, including sets that recognize heritage performers.

Jazz fans love to honor tradition and celebrate past stars. More than any other music genre, honoring the centennial birthday of a jazz musician is a thriving part of jazz shows, recordings, and commentary. ’25 is the centennial celebration of James Moody, Mel Torme, Oscar Peterson, George Wein, Jimmy Smith and Johnny Mandel, among others. I mention these names as each of them have performed either on The Jazz Cruise or its predecessor on NCL. The Jazz Cruise ’25, in addition to celebrating its own Silver Anniversary, will feature the careers of Moody, Peterson, Wein and Mandel in various ways.

When it comes time to share the lineup for The Jazz Cruise ’26, we will present programming which will focus will be on the centennials of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Tony Bennett, Bucky Pizzarelli and Ray Brown. Add a drummer to that group and you have one of the greatest bands ever! Evidently, 1926 was a very good year for birthing jazz greats. Though the nostalgic tributes are exciting, emotional and educational, I cannot forget what Christian McBride said on one of his radio shows about the great jazz tradition.

Christian said that remembering the great jazz musicians of the past is an essential element to enjoying and learning about jazz, but paying that same amount of attention to the players of today is an essential element to keeping jazz relevant and growing. His plea was for fans to purchase one recording from a current performer for every recording of a deceased performer. Do not forget the past but realize how important today’s music is.

Next week will mark the 65th anniversary of the release of Kind of Blue, an album of only five songs. A total of 45 minutes of music. Yet, it remains one of the best-selling jazz albums this year and every year since 1959. Is that fact a tribute to the genius of the album or jazz fans’ belief that the best jazz has already been recorded. For those who fight the notion that jazz is waning, turning around the purchasing habits of jazz fans is a great place to start.

For the past 25 years, The Jazz Cruise has celebrated the glorious history of jazz. We have tried to present music that lives in the Great American Songbook as well as tunes that many of the names mentioned above wrote, arranged or presented in some manner. Our modern contribution to this type of programming is our never-ending search to present young and exciting performers who embrace this music and, to a certain extent, make it theirs. Nothing excites our guests more than watching a new musician on the scene present great jazz.

Taylor Eigsti, Emmet Cohen, Veronica Swift, Samara Joy, Joey Alexander and others have performed on The Jazz Cruise before turning 22! Brandon Goldberg joins that group on The Jazz Cruise ’25. We will continue to seek out “new blood” and we will continue to include new music on our other cruise programs. Just as it is not possible to attend every show on The Jazz Cruise, it is not possible to present every aspect of jazz. But, by all means, we will continue to try!

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.

Guests of Signature Cruise Experiences:
Important August Dates to Remember 

8.14.24: The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’26.1 & ’26.2 (SJC ’26.1 & ’26.2) is Announced!

8.15.24: Guests on The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.1 & ’25.2 May Rebook Their Current Stateroom for SJC ’26.1 & ’26.2

8.15.24: Anyone wishing to Sail on SJC ’26.1 & ’26.2 may complete a Pre-Sale Reservation for those programs

8.21.24: Next Edition: Jazz Notes

8.23.24: STL Jazz Fest – Jazz Cruises presents Gregory Porter/Alonzo Bodden/Eric Marienthal/Niki Haris at The Factory in St. Louis ($45/Person)

8.24.24: Pre-STL Jazz Fest “Wine & Jazz” Wine Tasting with Mindi Abair & Eric Guerra at The Gallery in St. Louis

8.24.24: STL Jazz Fest – Jazz Cruises presents Brian Culbertson/Alonzo Bodden/Eric Marienthal/Mindi Abair at The Factory in St. Louis ($45/Person)

8.30.24: Jazz Cruises’ Office Closes at 2PM ET for the holiday weekend

esperanza spalding & Milton Nascimento

Bassist/vocalist esperanza spalding, who will sail with us on Botti at Sea ’25, has collaborated with the legendary Brazilian jazz singer-songwriter Milton Nascimento for a new recording, Milton + esperanza, featuring 16 tracks that celebrate and reimagine Nascimento’s beloved classics, along with new pieces written by esperanza with Nascimento in mind, and interpretations of The Beatles’ “A Day In The Life” and Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song.” Guests include Dianne Reeves, Lianne La Havas, Maria Gadú, Tim Bernardes, Carolina Shorter, Elena Pinderhughes, Shabaka Hutchings, Guinga and more. The album features esperanza’s core band of Matthew Stevens (guitar), Justin Tyson and Eric Doob (drums), Leo Genovese (piano), Corey D. King (vocals, synths), and several Brazilian musicians, including Orquestra Ouro Preto, percussionists Kainã Do Jêje and Ronaldinho Silva and Lula Galvão.

John Pizzarelli at Sunset Jazz in Bistango

The summer concert series Sunset Jazz in Bistango, produced by our friends John McClure and Joe Rothman, continues with a show on August 20 and 21 by John Pizzarelli and his trio featuring Isaiah J. Thompson and Mike Karn. Held at the Bistango Restaurant in Irvine, CA, the series concludes with performances by the Byron Stripling-Bobby Floyd Quartet (September 4) and the Chuck Redd-Tom Ranier Quintet (September 17).

Signature Jazz Cruises’ ’25 Programs

Signature Cruise Experiences’ Mug Shots of the Week

Guests on the ’24 jazz cruises received The Weekender mug, which we hope you will use with your Saturday morning coffee while you read the latest edition. Please share a picture of yourself & your mug with us so that we can include it for the 100,000+ folks who receive The Weekender each Saturday.

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

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