Jazz Notes: 6.10.26

Kim Kelley — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:15:08 +0000

Josh Groban is Performing on Botti at Sea III!

Instantly recognizable after just a few notes, Josh Groban is one of the most popular and talented vocalists of his generation. His extraordinary range includes opera, Broadway, pop and more. So does his career: Tony® winner, Emmy® winner, multiple GRAMMY® nominee and one of music’s most respected singer-songwriter-actor-philanthropists. He is truly a Renaissance man.

Cruise Host Chris Botti and Josh Groban are frequent, high-profile collaborators known for their lush pop, jazz and classical performances. Their rendition of “Broken Vow,” which was featured in the PBS special and album Chris Botti in Boston stands as one of the most well-known examples of their musical partnership.

“Josh is a longtime friend and colleague.
I love his music and admire the range of projects that he embraces,
each one more amazing than the next one.
It will be fun seeing him on the cruise.”

– Chris Botti

Signature Cruise Experiences is proud to present Chris Botti at Sea III. Few artists do what Chris does aboard this ship: bringing together world-class performers from across genres and weaving them into a great cruise. His own shows have the same attributes: class artistry and variety.

After a year of touring the world, this cruise is where Chris slows down and connects, with the music, his fellow performers and the guests. He loves this cruise.

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

Groban Fans

If you are unable to join us on Chris Botti at Sea, Josh Groban is currently touring around the country. Check out his tour schedule to find the show near you. No such thing as too much Josh Groban.

The Branford Marsalis Quartet – A Band for These Ages

Branford Marsalis first came into public notice when he, along with his brother Wynton, enrolled in the noted School of Art Blakey, as a member of the drummer’s longstanding band, the Jazz Messengers, in 1981. He was just 20 years old and fresh out of the Berklee School of Music. After an apprenticeship of a few years, the two left to form their own bands. Of course, Branford would go on to have a long and illustrious career as a bandleader, with stints as a member of Sting’s first post-Police group and as the music director for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He’s also scored numerous films and even appeared in a few.

However, perhaps his most impressive accomplishment is as the leader of currently the longest running quartet in contemporary jazz. Branford founded the group in 1986, initially featuring pianist Kenny Kirkland, bassist Robert Hurst and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts. The personnel evolved over the years, but for the last few decades, the group has been comprised by pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis and drummer Justin Faulkner. Their most recent album is Belonging, featuring the music of another jazz quartet – one led by pianist Keith Jarrett in the ’70s.

“Instrumental music to me is kind of like a play,” Branford told DownBeat’s Phillip Lutz. “Nobody’s going to a play because the words are good or because the actors can read well. You have to convince an audience that these words you’re saying are the character’s words, not the writer’s words. In music, when you play someone else’s song, you have to interpret the song so that you become a character in a play. You have to make that melody believable. That’s what great singers do. They know how to control the room with sound.”

Branford told Lutz that his group is comparable to a string quartet: “The musicians are in contact through their eyes and ears – constant, subtle cues about who has the melody here, who has the melody there. That’s kind of how we operate in the group.”

“I love the band, as people and musicians,” Branford said. “If this band ceased to exist, I don’t see myself trying to get a new one.”

The Branford Marsalis Quartet will perform for guests of Botti at Sea III in a show at SFJAZZ on September 21.

LEARN MORE

Signature Cruise Experiences Upcoming Programs

VIEW ALL UPCOMING SCE SAILINGS

SCE Sailings in ’26

The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3

9.11.26 – 9.18.26
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
Just Announced: Josh Groban

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.

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

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

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.

This 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 and The Jazz Cruise ’27 is near that goal again (over 85% 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, as well as a special two days in New Orleans featuring 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 who will perform her universally beloved Tribute to Dinah (Washington) program. Recently announced, John Pizzarelli will do tributes to both Nat King Cole and Duke Ellington.

Journey of Jazz ’27 is the best kind of learning experience…no tests, just recess!

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 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 feature an exciting combination of our customary great music, vibrant Fall colors and other special events.

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

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