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Jazz Cruises Conversations — Music
Jazz Cruises Conversations

Jazz Cruises Conversations invites you to escape to the high seas for the most intimate and candid conversations in music. Go beyond the stage for full-length interviews with the biggest names in jazz and smooth jazz, recorded live on the world’s premier floating music festivals.

Guided by veteran host Lee Mergner (and other musicians, comedians, and on-board talent), hear legends open up about their careers, creative process, and lives on the road, all recorded exclusively on sailings of The Jazz Cruise, Blue Note at Sea, Botti at Sea, and The Smooth Jazz Cruise. Mergner and his crew’s knowledgeable perspectives ensure these aren’t just chats—they are engaging, entertaining, and truly informative deep dives into the music.

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Signature Cruise Experiences is the Gold Standard for Charter Theme Cruises since 2001. In that time, we have produced over 100 full ship theme charters, most of which featured a significant music theme and top performers.

Our goal has been to present the very best musicians possible and do so with authenticity and professionalism. Our music venues are the best at sea and our sound production is Performing Art Center quality. Nothing but the best for our talent which translates to the very best for our guests.

Latest Episodes:

#10: Boney James with Alonzo Bodden May 28, 2019

Show notes

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 one of the two sailings of 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. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts. The back catalog contains more than a hundred interviews from past sailings.
Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Aphrodesia on Blue Note.

#9: Ken Peplowski with Eulis Cathey May 21, 2019

Show notes

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.

Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts. The back catalog contains more than a hundred interviews from past sailings.
Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Aphrodesia on Blue Note.

Michael Cuscuna & Don Was with Mark Ruffin May 14, 2019

Show notes

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.

Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts. The back catalog contains more than a hundred interviews from past sailings.
Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Aphrodesia on Blue Note.

#7: Dave Grusin with Marcus Miller May 07, 2019

Show notes

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.

Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts. The back catalog contains more than a hundred interviews from past sailings.
Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Aphrodesia on Blue Note.

#6: Cyrille Aimee with Eulis Cathey Apr 30, 2019

Show notes

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, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts. The back catalog contains more than a hundred interviews from past sailings.
Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Aphrodesia on Blue Note.

#5: Robert Glasper with Don Was Apr 23, 2019

Show notes

In this interview from Blue Note at Sea 2019, pianist/keyboardist Robert Glasper talks with Don Was about his creative process and how he seeks new sources of inspiration from contemporary music. Both Glasper and Was are hosts for the cruise which features contemporary jazz. This episode is sponsored by the Blue Note Jazz Clubs. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts. The back catalog contains more than a hundred interviews from past sailings.
Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Aphrodesia on Blue Note.

#4: Bill Charlap with Dick Golden Apr 16, 2019

Show notes

During The Jazz Cruise 2019, the pianist Bill Charlap performed multiple times with his longtime trio of Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums. He also played a solo set. During week, he sat down with radio host and author Dick Golden and talked about his work with Tony Bennett as well as his deep appreciation for the Great American Songbook. This episode is sponsored by Birdland Jazz in New York City. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts. The back catalog contains more than a hundred interviews from past sailings.
Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Aphrodesia on Blue Note.

#3: Wynton Marsalis with Marcus Miller Apr 09, 2019

Show notes

During Blue Note at Sea 2019, Wynton Marsalis came aboard with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for two special sets. Before the performances he sat down with Blue Note at Sea host Marcus Miller for a conversation about his early years in New Orleans and the long-lasting influence of both of his parents, who were very serious about education. This episode is sponsored by Berks Jazz Festival. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts. The back catalog contains more than a hundred interviews from past sailings.
Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Aphrodesia on Blue Note.

#2: Benny Golson with Eulis Cathey Apr 02, 2019

Show notes

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.

Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts. The back catalog contains more than a hundred interviews from past sailings.
Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Aphrodesia on Blue Note.

1. Marcus Miller with Alonzo Bodden Mar 20, 2019

Show notes

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.

Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts. The back catalog contains more than a hundred interviews from past sailings.
Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Aphrodesia on Blue Note.

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