We are on our way home after nearly a month of amazing jazz at sea.
Our Take: An Everlasting Legacy
The Jazz Cruise ’20 has just ended. In fact, we are headed to the airport now to catch our plane back to St. Louis. After nearly a month at sea, it will be great to get home, sleep in my own bed and return, at least for a while, to a normal schedule.
Candidly, I would rather stay at sea, listen to more music and enjoy our lovely guests who are now more like friends than guests, especially after what transpired this last week on The Jazz Cruise ’20.
The week was amazing. Our core group of musicians were supportive and spectacular. Many thanks to Shelly Berg, John Clayton, Wycliffe Gordon, John Pizzarelli, Ken Peplowski and Joey DeFrancesco for not only performing so brilliantly, but also for taking turns being hosts, interviewers and arrangers. The programming was superb and the Big Band was at the top of their game for sure.
It was exciting to add Christian McBride to the pantheon of musicians/hosts on The Jazz Cruise. His contribution to the jazz scene today as well as his great respect for the jazz greats of the past places him in a unique position to solidify The Jazz Cruise now and for the future.
Speaking of the future, the guests were thrilled with Emmet Cohen, Veronica Swift, Gerald Clayton, Sullivan Fortner and other younger jazz stars joining and invigorating our cruise. And, of course, the stalwarts of the genre, such as Arturo Sandoval, Steve Tyrell, Byron Stripling, Kurt Elling, Catherine Russell and others, brought their A-Game in performances with their own groups and in special shows as well.
Even with all this talent and great programming, for me, The Jazz Cruise ’20 will be remembered as a cruise where nearly 2,000 people shared their condolences, memories of and gratitude for my Mom. There were folks who sailed with her back on the SS Norway, those who made the move with her to our full-ship charter and those who never met her, but admire her many achievements and contributions to jazz.
They all expressed their love. I cannot imagine a better way to grieve than to be on The Jazz Cruise with all the music, the great musicians and the greatest group of guests imaginable. I am forever grateful. We bury Mom next Friday, but her cruise will last forever.
Our Take is written by Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director – Jazz of Entertainment Cruise Productions. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at michael@ecpcruises.com.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2021 Open Booking for Blue Note at Sea ’21
& The Jazz Cruise ’21
As we return home after extraordinary sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Blue Note at Sea and The Jazz Cruise ’20, we are now able to put the spotlight on 2021. Here is an update on the status of each 2021 program:
With hundreds of guests completing Pre-Sale Reservations and even more guests rebooking while onboard for next year, those interested in joining us for these sensational jazz programs should make their move as soon as possible. Open Booking for Blue Note at Sea ’21 began this week, The Jazz Cruise goes on sale to the public on Wednesday and your path to a stateroom on The Smooth Jazz Cruise is through our Waitlist.
Brian Culbertson, one of our favorite artists from The Smooth Jazz Cruise, has announced “The XX Tour” that goes from April 1 through June 27 in dozens of cities across the U.S.
Performing more 60 shows, Brian will be showcasing a new production including songs from his 20th album XX, which will be released in April 2020. Yes, 20 is the magic number for the charismatic keyboardist.
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