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Jazz Cruise Conversations

Podcast

Podcast #19 Guitarists Talk with Marcus Miller

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A remarkable roundtable discussion with five stellar guitarists who performed on The Smooth Jazz Cruise in 2019: Lee Ritenour, Raul Midon, Jonathan Butler, Nick Colionne and Steve Oliver. Marcus Miller moderated this fascinating conversation about the instrument and the music. Plus, the five jam and create at least one tune on the spot together, prodded by Marcus of course. This episode is sponsored by the Montclair Jazz Festival. The podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions. [Read More]

Podcast #18 Joey Alexander with Shelly Berg

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In this taping of Shelly Berg’s Sirius/XM show “Generation Next” in front of a live audience during the Jazz Cruise ’19, Shelly sat down with piano phenom Joey Alexander for a fascination conversation that includes some live performances by Joey and closes with a duet by the two. In between, they discuss Joey’s unusual journey to jazz stardom before he’s able to legally drive. This episode is sponsored by SFJAZZ. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises. [Read More]

Podcast #17 Bass Talk with Marcus Miller

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In this roundtable discussion from Blue Note at Sea ’19, Marcus Miller talks with fellow bassists Vicente Archer, Luques Curtis, Derrick Hodge and David Mrakpor. The five musicians talk about the unique qualities of bassists, as well as the special role of the bassist in the band. They also recommend their favorite rhythm sections in jazz and music. This episode is sponsored by San Jose Jazz. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises. [Read More]

Podcast #16 Lalah Hathaway with Marcus Miller

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The daughter of the influential soul and R&B singer Donny Hathaway, Lalah Hathaway has made her own way through a long career as one of the more accomplished vocalists of her generation, eventually earning five Grammy awards and recording with everyone from Joe Sample to Snarky Puppy. During one of the two sailings of the Smooth Jazz Cruise, Lalah sat for a 1:1 conversation with Marcus Miller who was one of her earliest mentors. They talk about the influence of her father, her education at Berklee and her growth as a singer. This episode is sponsored by the Newport Jazz Festival. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises. [Read More]

Podcast #15 Renee Rosnes with Eulis Cathey

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Renee Rosnes has recorded nearly two dozen albums as a leader and also played in the bands of many jazz greats such as Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter and Bobby Hutcherson. During the Jazz Cruise earlier this year Renee talked with Sirius/XM host Eulis Cathey about growing up in western Canada, getting her first break with Joe Henderson and the unfolding of her own very impressive career. This episode is sponsored by the Birdland Jazz Club in NYC. The podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions. [Read More]

Podcast #14 Vocalists Roundtable with Mark Ruffin

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Four vocalists on Blue Note at Sea ’19 - Kurt Elling, Niki Haris, Kandace Springs and Ivan Peroti – sat down with Mark Ruffin of the Real Jazz channel on Sirius/XM in front of a live audience during the cruise. During this lively panel discussion, the four singers talked about their repertoire, their approach to performing and their influences. This episode is sponsored by Sirius/XM. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises. [Read More]

Podcast #13 Lee Ritenour with Marcus Miller

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Guitarist Lee Ritenour has recorded more than two dozen albums as a leader since his debut “First Course” in 1976, as well as countless recordings as a studio player. A founding member of the contemporary jazz group Fourplay, Ritenour has been nominated for 16 Grammy awards. During one of the two sailings of the Smooth Jazz Cruise ’19 he spoke with Marcus Miller about his life as a first-call studio musician in LA in the 70s and 80s and his transition to becoming a leader of contemporary jazz groups. This episode is sponsored by the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises. [Read More]

Podcast #12 Steve Tyrell with Dick Golden

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Coming out of his hometown of Houston as a young singer, Steve Tyrell had an auspicious introduction to the music business as a producer working with Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and as an A&R man with Sceptor Records. He eventually turned to singing full-time and has had hit several hit albums. His performance of "The Way You Look Tonight" in the film "Father of the Bride" brought him to a wider audience. During the Jazz Cruise '19, Tyrell sat down with jazz author and radio host Dick Golden to talk about his career and his affinity for the Great American Songbook. This episode is sponsored by KKJZ, also known as KJazz. [Read More]

Podcast #11 Horn Talk From Blue Note at Sea

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Panel discussion featuring saxophonists Candy Dulfer and Nubaya Garcia as well as trumpeters Russell Gunn and Marquis Hill, from Blue Note at Sea 2019. This conversation was ably moderated by Sirius XM’s Mark Ruffin and includes an interesting cross-section of players from very different backgrounds. They each talked about their early experiences and exposure to jazz, as well as about their work with artists as diverse as Solange, Prince, Van Morrison and Wynton Marsalis. This episode sponsored by Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises. [Read More]

Podcast #10 Boney James with Alonzo Bodden

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Saxophonist Boney James was initially a reluctant cruiser several years ago, but these days he’s not only a regular artist, but also one of the hosts of the Smooth Jazz Cruise. During the Smooth Jazz Cruise, Boney sat down with our comedian in residence (and contemporary jazz aficionado) Alonzo Bodden to talk about how his career developed and grew from being a sideman to a leader. This episode is sponsored by the DC Jazz Festival. Podcast produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions. [Read More]

Podcast #9 Ken Peplowski with Eulis Cathey

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Clarinetist and saxophonist Ken Peplowski has been an important part of The Jazz Cruise family for many years. Widely considered one of the greatest living jazz clarinetists, the very witty musician has served as programmer, music director and host for the cruise. During The Jazz Cruise 2019, Peplowski sat down with Sirius/XM host Eulis Cathey to talk about his roots in Cleveland and his storied life as a jazz musician. This episode is sponsored by Vail Jazz. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises. [Read More]

Podcast #8 Michael Cuscuna & Don Was with Mark Ruffin

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Michael Cuscuna and Don Was have a lot in common. Both produced Bonnie Raitt, albeit 20 years apart, and more importantly both have played a large part in the legacy of Blue Note Records, with Cuscuna working closely with Bruce Lundvall to produce both new releases and reissues during the 80s and 90s and with Was directing the label as its president since 2012. During Blue Note at Sea, the two sat down with Mark Ruffin at Sirius/XM to talk about their experiences with the label. This episode is sponsored by JazzTimes Magazine. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises. [Read More]

Podcast #7 Dave Grusin with Marcus Miller

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Pianist and composer Dave Grusin has had a long and successful career not only as a recording artist and performer but also as a scorer in film and television. Winner of both Grammy and Oscar awards, Grusin has contributed to the scores and soundtracks of more than 100 films and dozens of TV shows. In partnership with the late Larry Rosen, he founded GRP Records, one of the most important record labels in contemporary jazz. During The Smooth Jazz Cruise 2019, Grusin spoke with Marcus Miller about his unique career in music. This episode is sponsored by the Monterey Jazz Festival. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises. [Read More]

Podcast #6 Cyrille Aimee with Eulis Cathey

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The dynamic young vocalist Cyrille Aimee wowed audiences of The Jazz Cruise 2019 with sets that mixed Gypsy jazz, mainstream jazz, and even a little beat boxing, as well as material from her latest album of Sondheim songs. She sat down with Eulis Cathey to talk about how moving to New Orleans revitalized and inspired her. This episode is sponsored by Sirius/XM’s Real Jazz channel. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions. [Read More]

Podcast #2 Benny Golson with Eulis Cathey

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This interview with jazz legend Benny Golson took place in front of a live audience during The Jazz Cruise 2019. The saxophonist and composer turned 90 during the cruise and in this conversation with Sirius XM’s Eulis Cathey he reminisced about growing up in Philadelphia …how he originally wanted to be a concert pianist… [Read More]

Podcast #2 Benny Golson with Eulis Cathey

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This interview with jazz legend Benny Golson took place in front of a live audience during The Jazz Cruise 2019. The saxophonist and composer turned 90 during the cruise and in this conversation with Sirius XM’s Eulis Cathey he reminisced about growing up in Philadelphia …how he originally wanted to be a concert pianist… how he picked up the saxophone…his first encounter with a very young John Coltrane…and many other seminal experiences. This episode is sponsored by SFJAZZ. The podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions. [Read More]

Podcast #1 Marcus Miller with Alonzo Bodden

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In this interview from Blue Note at Sea 2019, bassist-bandleader-composer-producer Marcus Miller talks with comedian Alonzo Bodden about his early years working with Miles Davis and Luther Vandross, his favorite episode of South Park, and why he didn’t play fusion jazz in the 70s. This episode is sponsored by Blue Note Records. The podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions. [Read More]