Jazz Cruises Conversations

#99: James Morrison with Eric Marienthal Nov 26, 2024

This conversation was recorded during The Jazz Cruise '24 and it features an interview with multi-instrumentalist James Morrison, who talked with the cruise's music director Eric Marienthal about the challenges of playing multiple instruments at a high level. James also discusses his experiences as an airplane pilot, who does in fact fly himself and his bandmembers to many of his gigs.

#98: Mindi Abair with Talaya Nov 12, 2024

This conversation with saxophonist Mindi Abair, hosted by Talaya of "Watercolors" on SiriusXM, was recorded on the second week of The Smooth Jazz Cruise earlier this year. The two talked about Mindi's storied career and her interests off the bandstand.

#97: Randy Brecker on Miles Davis (with Lee Mergner) Oct 12, 2024

In this conversation recorded during Botti at Sea '24, as part of the Jazz on Film series hosted by Lee Mergner, we showed a bit of Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool, Stanley Nelson’s 2019 documentary about the great trumpeter. To talk about Miles’ life and legacy, we asked another great trumpeter, Randy Brecker, who has always been a marvelous story teller. Perhaps no other artist lends themself more to stories than Miles Davis. Randy not only put Miles' singular influence in perspective, but shared some of his personal encounters with Miles, including their exchange about who discovered the wah wah peddle first.

#96: Jazzmeia Horn & Cyrille Aimee with Catherine Russell Sep 29, 2024

This conversation was recorded on The Jazz Cruise earlier this year and it featured a talk with Jazzmeia Horn and Cyrille Aimee, moderated by fellow vocalist Catherine Russell, who is also one of the hosts of The Jazz Cruise. The two talked about their unique musical roots – Jazzmeia’s in gospel and Cyrille’s in French gypsy music and how they first got into jazz. They also share their creative process for recording and composing. And there’s lots more, including questions from our discerning guests.

#95: Rick Braun, Richard Elliot & Peter White with Talaya Sep 10, 2024

This conversation with three of our artists was recorded on the first sailing of The Smooth Jazz Cruise earlier this year. It features a talk with Rick Braun, Richard Elliot and Peter White, moderated by one of our hosts, Talaya from Sirius XM. The three old friends talked about the first time they met, mostly going back to the 80s, when fusion was at its peak and Smooth Jazz was just emerging as a genre. Then, Rick talked about working with Sade, Peter explained why almost every British band sings with an American accent, and Richard recalled his formative time with Tower of Power. But there’s lot’s more in this very engaging and often funny conversation.

#94: Jose James on Bill Withers (with Lee Mergner) Aug 27, 2024

As part of the Jazz on Film series on Botti at Sea '24, host Lee Mergner showed a bit of the documentary "Still Bill" about Bill Withers. Jose James, who paid tribute to Bill with his album "Lean on Me," then talked with Lee about the great singer-songwriter's music, life and legacy.

#93: Bria Skonberg & Benny Benack III with James Morrison Jul 23, 2024

This conversation recorded on the Jazz Cruise earlier this year is from one of our LEARN sessions held during the day. James Morrison interviewed fellow trumpeters Bria Skonberg and Benny Benack the third. They talk plenty of brass of course, but also about how they balance playing and singing. And the two talk about how their own style and sound evolved. Finally, they take a bunch of interesting questions from the audience.

#92: Marcus Miller & Alonzo Bodden Jul 16, 2024

In this episode, two of our longtime cruise hosts and headliners—Alonzo Bodden and Marcus Miller—talk music, comedy and life in a free-wheeling and entertaining conversation recorded on The Smooth Jazz Cruise. Although Alonzo kicks it off as the interviewer, in reality any session with these two longtime friends is bound to go back and forth, with one turning the tables on the other, and with a healthy dose of good-spirited razzing along the way.

#91: Samara Joy on Sarah Vaughan (with Lee Mergner) Jun 23, 2024

This conversation was recorded on the inaugural sailing of Botti at Sea in 2024 and it featured an interview with the great vocalist Samara Joy, as part of the Jazz on Film series Lee Mergner hosted that week. Samara talked in depth about Sarah’s incredible legacy and about her own evolution as a jazz singer in this candid conversation.

#90: Kenny Barron with Shelly Berg Jun 17, 2024

This conversation was recorded during the most recent sailing of The Jazz Cruise and it featured an interview of NEA Jazz Master Kenny Barron by our artistic director Shelly Berg. Kenny talked with Shelly about his early formative years growing up in Philadelphia, as well as about lessons learned from playing with jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Yusef Lateef, Charle Haden and Stan Getz. Kenny and Shelly also geek out about both the piano and teaching piano.

#89: Jeffrey Osborne with Marcus Miller Jun 05, 2024

This conversation with vocalist Jeffrey Osborne was recorded during a recent sailing of The Smooth Jazz Cruise. Jeffrey talked with Marcus Miller about his rigorous health regimen and about his early years as a vocalist and his time with LTD, which started as a back up band for Sam and Dave. Did you know that Jeffrey actually started out as a drummer? With the O’Jays, no less. You’ll learn even more interesting aspects about Jeffrey’s music and career during this fascinating talk. Oh, and a fellow vocalist makes a late but funny cameo appearance during the interview.

#88: Chucho Valdes & Paquito D'Rivera with James Morrison May 05, 2024

This conversation was recorded during the most recent sailing of The Jazz Cruise and it featured an interview with two longtime friends and colleagues—Paquito D’Rivera and Chucho Valdes. Going back to their native land of Cuba, Paquito played in Irakere, a band founded in 1973 by Chucho who led that band for more than four decades. The two recently reunited for an album called I Missed You Too as well as for a tour with their sextet. The Jazz Cruise All-Star James Morrison handled the moderator duties in this very animated conversation filled with wit and wisdom.

#87: Gregory Porter on Nat King Cole (with Lee Mergner) Apr 15, 2024

This conversation was recorded on the inaugural sailing of Botti at Sea and it featured an interview with the great vocalist Gregory Porter by Lee Mergner, as part of the Jazz on Film series he hosted that week. This episode is about the legendary Nat King Cole. Most people know about Gregory’s professional affinity for Nat and his music, but may not know just how personal that affinity is. He explains his deep love for Nat and even sings a few tunes that make that connection clear.

#86: Mindi Abair with Talaya Apr 03, 2024

In this conversation recorded on The Smooth Jazz Cruise 24.1, saxophonist Mindi Abair talks with cruise host Talaya from SiriusXM. . Mindi talked about collaborating with other artists on The Smooth Jazz Cruise. And about breaking into the music business when she first moved to LA where she was discovered by Bobby Lyle. She also reflects on partnering with guitarist Randy Jacobs in the band The Boneshakers. And of course she discusses her wine and jazz adventures.

#85: Keb' Mo' with Alonzo Bodden Mar 20, 2024

In this one-on-one conversation from Botti at Sea earlier this year, Alonzo Bodden, our longtime comedian in residence, sat down with Keb' Mo' to talk about his storied career in music. And that career has truly been storied, starting with the fact that Keb' released his first album way back when, billed by his given name of Kevin Moore. Of course, that became grist for material for our friend Alonzo.

Make no mistake, Keb' is a humble yet gifted guitarist, singer and songwriter. Someone who has earned every bit of his remarkable success.

As is often the case, the audience got into the act at the end with informed questions and comments.

#84: Renee Rosnes with Catherine Russell Mar 13, 2024

In this conversation from The Jazz Cruise '24, Catherine Russell interviewed pianist Renee Rosnes about her upbringing in Canada as a student of classical music who was introduced to jazz by an important mentor. Renee also reflected on working with jazz legends like Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson and James Moody. She also talked about her own music as a longtime bandleader and her very special collaborations with her husband, fellow pianist Bill Charlap. And, of course, about Artemis, the super group she founded that performed on the cruise.

#83: Sheila E with Don Was Nov 12, 2023

In this interview from Blue Note at Sea '23, noted record producer Don Was spoke with the great percussionist and bandleader Sheila E. Sheila talked with Don about her unique musical relationship with her father Pete Escovedo and her brothers. She shared stories of working with legendary artists such as Ringo Starr, Marvin Gaye, George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Michael Jackson and Prince. She also explained the mission for her Elevate Oakland community organization. And she told us about her practice regimen.

#82: Wynton Marsalis with Christian McBride Oct 30, 2023

This episode features a very special interview with jazz icon Wynton Marsalis by his old friend Christian McBride from The Jazz Cruise earlier this year. The two have a long history going back to 1984 when Christian was a 14-year-old bassist in Philadelphia and Wynton took him under his wing. He even assured Christian’s mother that we would watch over Christian when he moved to NYC a few years later. Given their relationship and how they both became mentors to so many musicians across multiple generations, it should come as no surprise that the theme of their conversation here was about mentorship and inspiration. Wynton discussed his unique relationship with the late jazz writer and provocateur Stanley Crouch and with Betty Carter, as well as his connection to so many greats, not only in jazz, but in Black American culture, like Ralph Ellison, August Wilson and Albert Murray.

Christian also gave Wynton a three-song Blindfold Test, featuring trumpeters. You can guess how that went. The two also played a couple of duets. But throughout their talk, it’s the stories about their elders that resonated.

#81: Brian Culbertson with Talaya Oct 15, 2023

This episode features an interview with keyboardist/trombonist/bandleader Brian Culbertson by Talaya from The Smooth Jazz Cruise in 2023. Brian talks about recording his first album in his apartment when he was in college at DePaul in Chicago. He also explained how he came to develop his streaming show The Hang and how he recorded numerous albums during the pandemic. Along the way, Brian shares his creative process for writing, arranging and producing.

#80: David Sanborn with Marcus Miller Sep 29, 2023

In this conversation recorded during Blue Note at Sea '23, saxophonist David Sanborn talks with his old friend and colleague Marcus Miller about his storied life and career in music.

#79: Christian McBride with Don Was Sep 13, 2023

In this conversation from Blue Note at Sea '23, host Don Was interviews Christian McBride about his practice regimen for the bass, his early years growing up in Philadelphia, his love of James Brown and how he handles his many roles as a musician, composer, bandleader, radio host and educator.

#78: Candy Dulfer with Talaya Aug 24, 2023

This episode recorded on The Smooth Jazz Cruise features an interview with saxophonist Candy Dulfer by one of our hosts Talaya. Candy talked about her very musical upbringing in the Netherlands with her father Hans, a noted jazz saxophonist, as well as her own unique journey, crossing paths and collaborating with Dave Stewart, Prince and Van Morrison, and establishing herself as a solo artist.

#77: Marcus Miller & Alonzo Bodden Jul 26, 2023

This episode features a true 1:1 conversation between two old friends, comedian Alonzo Bodden and bassist/bandleader/composer Marcus Miller. Recorded on Blue Note at Sea '23, the two talked about music and comedy and everything in between.

#76: Samara Joy with Shelly Berg Jul 02, 2023

In this conversation recorded during The Jazz Cruise '23, Shelly Berg interviewed vocal jazz sensation Samara Joy for his "Generation Next" show on SiriusXM's Real Jazz channel.

#75: Michael McDonald with Marcus Miller Jun 19, 2023

This week’s episode of the Jazz Cruises Conversations podcast features a very special interview by Marcus Miller with Michael McDonald, recorded on The Smooth Jazz Cruise earlier this year.

Marcus talked with Michael about his long and storied career, which started out in St. Louis, playing and singing in local cover bands. The rest is history, which you’ll hear about in this engaging and entertaining talk. How about this little fact? Michael’s local young band backed Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry back in the day. And he explains the origin of the band name The Doobie Brothers. And Michael tells how he came to duet famously with Patti LaBelle on their smash hit “On My Own.” And now they’re doing a cruise together, the McDonald Labelle Cruise with us April 10-13 to Nassau in the Bahamas.

#74: Chris Botti with Christian McBride May 30, 2023

In this one-on-one conversation from Blue Note at Sea earlier this year, Christian McBride interviewed Chris Botti for an episode of his Sirius XM radio show “The Lowdown: Conversations with Christian.” Chris talked about the rewards and challenges of his long-running residency at the Blue Note in New York City. The two also talked about Chris’ beginnings in Portland, Oregon, as well as the impact of the music program at the University of Indiana. Chris explained why the trumpet is such a difficult instrument to master. He talked about the impact of working with Paul Simon and Sting. And he even told a Frank Sinatra story. Finally, Christian gave Chris a little Blindfold Test with three trumpeters.

#73: Renee Rosnes and Billy Childs with LeRoy Downs May 19, 2023

In this episode of the newly renamed Jazz Cruises Conversations podcast, pianists Renee Rosnes and Billy Childs talked with host LeRoy Downs about their common history and inspirations.

#72: Cecile McLorin Salvant with David Sanborn May 03, 2023

This conversation from Blue Note at Sea '23 featured the acclaimed singer and songwriter Cecile McLorin Salvant, who was interviewed by David SanbornThe two talked about Cecile’s passion and gift for the visual arts, and they dug very deep on her recent album Ghost Song, which he clearly listened to a lot. And they got into Cecile’s multi-genre project Ogress and her latest album Melusine. Throughout it all, Cecile candidly deconstructs her unique creative process.

#71: Sullivan Fortner with Emmet Cohen May 30, 2021

Sullivan Fortner sits down with fellow pianist Emmet Cohen to talk about coming from New Orleans to New York City and his emergence on the jazz scene. Sullivan and Emmet talk about the various piano competitions they entered together. Sullivan also discusses his musical relationship with vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant. And he shows Emmet some of his practice regimen on the piano.

#70: Monty Alexander with John Clayton May 11, 2021

In this episode from our live conversation series on Facebook and YouTube, the noted pianist Monty Alexander talks with bassist and former bandmate John Clayton about his storied life in music. It’s a reunion of sorts because back in the mid-70s, Monty led a trio with John and drummer Jeff Hamilton. The three road warriors performed about 300 days a year and recording two albums including the seminal "Montreux Alexander ’76." Monty reminisces about growing up in Jamaica and learning from people like Ray Brown and Oscar Peterson. We also surprised Monty with a special guest who dropped into the conversation for the last 15 minutes. This episode was sponsored by Vail Jazz.

#69: John Clayton with Ken Peplowski Apr 11, 2021

In this Before & After listening session, co-presented on Zoom with JazzTimes, Ken Peplowski plays a dozen tunes for his friend and colleague John Clayton, who shows off his very acute ears. Besides going deep on the cuts, the two talk about a wide range of topics, including the nuance of the beat, the dangers of the metronome, and why fake books hurt rather than help young musicians.

#68: Bria Skonberg with Jennifer Wharton Apr 06, 2021

In a recent conversation streamed online, bass trombonist Jennifer Wharton interviewed trumpeter and singer Bria Skonberg about her life in music. The two discussed everything from choosing the right mutes to balancing the professional demands of playing music with the personal demands of family life.

#67: Niki Haris with Ann Hampton Callaway Mar 28, 2021

This singer-on-singer chat was streamed live at part of Jazz Cruise Conversations Live series on social media. Niki Haris talked with fellow vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway about her colorful and unique career from singing and touring with Madonna to performing jazz at festivals and venues all over the world. Niki also talks about growing up as the daughter of legendary jazz pianist Gene Harris. And the two share memories of their time together on The Jazz Cruise.

#66: Paquito D'Rivera with Ken Peplowski Feb 02, 2021

Paquito D’Rivera spoke with fellow clarinetist (and saxophonist) Ken Peplowski in this chat that was streamed live on Facebook and YouTube. The two voluble favorites of The Jazz Cruise talk clarinet of course, but they also discuss Paquito growing up in Cuba, his introduction to music and jazz, his affinity for Brazilian music and his long musical relationship with trumpeter Claudio Roditit, who passed away recently.

#65: Christian McBride with Alonzo Bodden Jan 20, 2021

Bassist/bandleader/composer/radio host/educator/artistic director Christian McBride talks with comedian Alonzo Bodden about social issues, sports, comedy, jazz and of course, the bass. We also surprise Christian with some special guests who show up about 45 minutes in and who kept the conversation going for another half hour.

#64: Nicki Parrott with John Clayton Jan 12, 2021

The multi-faceted bassist AND singer Nicki Parrott talks with fellow bassist John Clayton about growing up in Australia and about how and why she took up the bass. The two share their memories of Ray Brown, a mentor to John and a big influence on Nicki. They also discuss their common appreciation for cooking and Nicki shares a short clip from her well-produced web series Chez Nicki Jams, in which she shares a favorite recipe and performs a short number while the dish cooks.

#63: Wycliffe Gordon with Eulis Cathey Jan 05, 2021

The virtuoso trombonist Wycliffe Gordon talks with Sirius XM radio host Eulis Cathey about his long and storied career, which began in Augusta, Georgia. Wycliffe explains the impact of playing music in the church there in Augusta. He also discusses his introduction to jazz, as well as the far-reaching influence of his mentor, Wynton Marsalis.

#62: Terell Stafford with Eulis Cathey Dec 29, 2020

Noted trumpeter and educator Terell Stafford talks with Sirius XM radio host Eulis Cathey about his background as a classical musicians and how he made the transition to become an accomplished and influential jazz musician. Terell talks about some of his mentors and also about what he tries to teach his students in his role as head of the music department (including classical and jazz) at Temple University.

#61: Ann Hampton Callaway with Kurt Elling Dec 22, 2020

Ann Hampton Callaway talks with fellow singer and songwriter Kurt Elling about growing up in Chicago and she shares insight into her creative process for choosing and writing songs. The two talk about the legacy of Freddy Cole whom they both got to know well during sailings of The Jazz Cruise over the years. Ann even performs a song in memory of their old friend Freddy.

#60: Jeff Hamilton with Ken Peplowski Dec 15, 2020

Jazz drum great Jeff Hamilton talks with his longtime friend and colleague Ken Peplowski about his life's journey in music, including how he got started on drums, his work with legends like Ray Brown and Oscar Peterson, and leading his own groups, such as his two trios and the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.

#59: Joey DeFrancesco with Alonzo Bodden Dec 08, 2020

In this edition of Jazz Cruise Conversations Live, the noted organist (and multi-instrumentalist) Joey DeFrancesco talks with comedian Alonzo Bodden about his lifelong love of the Hammond B-3, as well as about how he was "discovered" by Miles Davis with whom he would play when he was a teenager.

#58: Randy Brecker & Ada Rovatti with Eric Marienthal Nov 10, 2020

Legendary trumpeter Randy Brecker and saxophonist Ada Rovatti talked with their friend and colleague Eric Marienthal about how they've balance their marriage and their music. They also discuss the legacy of the Brecker Brothers and how they've strived to keep that music alive.

#57: John Pizzarelli with Ken Peplowski Sep 04, 2020

Guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli sits down in a virtual chat online with his friend Ken Peplowski to talk about the legacy of John's father, Bucky Pizzarelli, the session guitarist, jazz player and bigger than life personality.

#56: John Clayton with Alonzo Bodden Aug 28, 2020

This conversation with the noted bassist/arranger/bandleader John Clayton was streamed live to thousands of jazz fans. Comedian Alonzo Bodden handled the moderator duties and talked with John about the impact of various mentors in his life, including Ray Brown, Count Basie and Monty Alexander. John also explained what it's like to lead and conduct a big band or orchestra.

#55: Kurt Elling with Shelly Berg Aug 21, 2020

Jazz vocal great Kurt Elling sits down for a virtual chat and play with pianist Shelly Berg and they discuss Kurt’s most recent recording, playing with the Branford Marsalis Quartet, moving back to his hometown Chicago and their mutual appreciation for Al Jarreau.

#54: Mindi Abair with Eric Marienthal Aug 18, 2020

This conversation with saxophonists Mindi Abair and Eric Marienthal took place online last week. Eric, who is the music director for The Smooth Jazz Cruise, interviewed Mindi about her unique and remarkable career—from studying at Berklee to playing in the band on “American Idol” to touring with Aerosmith and to her own successful run as a recording artist and bandleader.

#53: Remembering Oscar Peterson with Kelly Peterson & Benny Green Aug 11, 2020

Oscar Peterson's widow and the executor of his estate Kelly Peterson is joined by pianist Benny Green and radio host Dick Golden for a discussion of Peterson's legacy in jazz history. The conversation was recorded on The Jazz Cruise '20 during which Green performed with his trio. This episode is sponsored by SiriusXM's Real Jazz channel.

#52: Melody Gardot with Mark Ruffin Aug 04, 2020

The singer and songwriter Melody Gardot talks with Mark Ruffin from SiriusXM about growing up in the Philadelphia music scene, about her long recovery from a nearly fatal bike accident and how living in Paris has inspired her personally and creatively. This episode is sponsored by the Monterey Jazz Festival.

#51: Catherine Russell with Eulis Cathey Jul 28, 2020

The noted jazz and pop vocalist Catherine Russell talks with Eulis Cathey from SiriusXM about her evolution as a singer in this conversation from The Jazz Cruise ’20. Catherine has had a unique double career both as an accomplished backing singer for pop stars and as a leader of her own performing jazz at clubs, theaters and festivals all over the world. This episode is sponsored by SiriusXM’s Real Jazz channel.

#50: David Sanborn with Alonzo Bodden Jul 21, 2020

In this interview from Blue Note at Sea ’20, saxophonist David Sanborn talks with our comedian-in-residence Alonzo Bodden about his life and music – from his childhood growing up in St. Louis to his time as the first-call sax soloist on pop records to his career playing his unique brand of soul jazz. He even shares his feelings about the term Smooth Jazz. This episode is sponsored by Berks Jazz Fest.

#49: Joey DeFrancesco with Mark Ruffin Jul 14, 2020

Organist and bandleader Joey DeFrancesco talks with SiriusXM host Mark Ruffin in an interview from Blue Note at Sea '20. DeFrancesco talks about growing up in Philadelphia, how he met and worked with Miles Davis and his lifelong love affair with jazz organ. This podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions.

#48: Ramsey Lewis with Marcus Miller Jun 02, 2020

The legendary pianist Ramsey Lewis turned 85 last week, and although he had retired from touring, he did make the trip to Ft. Lauderdale to sail and perform on The Smooth Jazz Cruise in 2020. Ramsey sat down with bassist and cruise host Marcus Miller to talk about his storied career, from his early years recording jazz hits with his trio to his later years as a radio and TV broadcaster. This episode is sponsored by Sirius XM's Watercolors channel.

#47: Chris & Dan Brubeck with Eulis Cathey May 26, 2020

Two of Dave Brubeck’s sons, Chris and Dan, sat down with Sirius XM host Eulis Cathey during The Jazz Cruise in 2020 to discuss their father’s legacy in jazz and American culture. Chris and Dan lead the Brubeck Brothers Quartet who performed on the cruise. This year marks the centennial of Dave Brubeck's birth. This episode is sponsored by SiriusXM. The podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions.

#46: Marcus Miller with Alonzo Bodden May 19, 2020

In this freewheeling conversation Alonzo Bodden, comedian-in-residence for The Smooth Jazz Cruise, interviews his friend, the bassist and bandleader Marcus Miller about everything from what instruments he plays to how he almost replaced Jaco Pastorius in Weather Report. This episode is sponsored by the Blue Note Jazz Clubs. The podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions.

#45: Billy Hart with Joey DeFrancesco May 12, 2020

In this conversation from The Jazz Cruise in 2021, organist Joey DeFrancesco interviews his friend and bandmate—the legendary jazz drummer Billy Hart—about his long and illustrious career. Billy talks about growing up in Washington, DC and the influence of some of the elder jazz drummers. Naturally, they had to talk about Billy’s stint with the legendary organist Jimmy Smith. Billy is truly a drummer’s drummer and so the audience for this session was filled with just about every other drummer from the Cruise. This episode is sponsored by SiriusXM. The podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions.

#44: Kamasi Washington with David Sanborn May 05, 2020

In this conversation from Blue Note at Sea ’20, Kamasi Washington talks with fellow saxophonist David Sanborn about growing up in South Central LA and how the jazz and music community there shaped him as an artist. Kamasi also discusses the influence of his father, saxophonist Ricky Washington, who still plays with his son today. This episode is sponsored by SiriusXM. The podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions.

#43: Peter White with Rick Braun Apr 28, 2020

In a conversation recorded during The Smooth Jazz Cruise in 2020, the guitarist Peter White talks with fellow musician, trumpeter Rick Braun, about his early years playing with the singer-songwriter Al Stewart and how that experience changed his life and career. Peter explains how he found his own voice on his instrument and why that was so important. He also plays a little and takes question from the audience. This episode is sponsored by SiriusXM. The podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions.

#42: Arturo Sandoval with Shelly Berg Apr 21, 2020

The Cuban jazz trumpeter, pianist and sometime vocalist Arturo Sandoval talks with pianist and The Jazz Cruise music director Shelly Berg about his work composing music for films, his affinity for beautiful melodies and the dearth of jazz on television. The two play a few songs together as well. This episode is sponsored by SiriusXM. The podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions.

#41: Gregory Porter with Don Was Apr 14, 2020

Singer and songwriter Gregory Porter sat down with veteran producer and Blue Note Records president Don Was during Blue Note at Sea. The two talked about Gregory’s evolution as a recording artist and performer. And they previewed cuts from his upcoming album “All Rise” which is now scheduled for release in late August. This episode is sponsored by SiriusXM. The podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions.

#40: Jeff Lorber, Paul Jackson, Jr. & Everette Harp with Eric Marienthal Apr 11, 2020

In this conversation taken from the Smooth Jazz Cruise in 2020, Jeff Lorber, Paul Jackson, Jr. and Everette Harp - three of the most prominent figures in the genre – talk with Eric Marienthal about their affinity for jazz fusion, funk and soul, as well as about their common experiences, as both leaders and sidemen. This episode is sponsored by the Berks Jazz Fest. The podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions.

#39: Dianne Reeves with John Clayton Mar 31, 2020

The Grammy Award-winning vocalist sat down with bassist and arranger John Clayton during The Jazz Cruise in 2020 to talk about growing up in a diverse musical household and how her family shaped her musical vision. This episode is sponsored by SFJAZZ. The podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions.

#38: Christian McBride with Mark Ruffin Mar 24, 2020

Bassist and bandleader Christian McBride talked with Mark Ruffin in a taping of “The Lowdown: Conversations with Christian” show that Christian hosts on SiriusXM. In this conversation from Blue Note at Sea ’20, Christian and Mark talk about how they produce the show, and Christian discusses his roots in Philadelphia and his lifelong love of sports. And he tells stories about his relationship with Lou Donaldson and James Brown. This episode is sponsored by SiriusXM. The podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions.

#37: Jonathan Butler with Marcus Miller Mar 17, 2020

Guitarist and vocalist Jonathan Butler sat down with Marcus Miller during The Smooth Jazz Cruise to talk about growing up a child star in South Africa and the challenges he faced personally and professionally as a result of Apartheid. And he explains his special relationship with Nelson Mandela. This episode, the third in our second season, is sponsored by the Real Jazz Channel on Sirius XM. The podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions.

#36: Kurt Elling with Eulis Cathey Mar 10, 2020

The dynamic and creative jazz vocalist Kurt Elling talks with Eulis Cathey of SiriusXM about his early years in Chicago finding his own voice and career path. In this conversation recorded on The Jazz Cruise in 2020 the Grammy award-winning singer discusses the impact of some of his mentors in Chicago, including saxophone great Von Freeman. This episode, the second of our second season, is sponsored by the Sarasota Jazz Festival. The podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions.

#35: Chris Botti with Don Was Mar 03, 2020

In this interview recorded at the Blue Note at Sea tent at the Monterey Jazz Festival, trumpeter Chris Botti sits down with Don Was of Blue Note Records to talk about growing up in the Pacific Northwest and his evolution as a musician and performer. This episode is the first of our second season and is sponsored by Monterey Jazz Festival. The podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions.

#34: Bob James, David Sanborn & Marcus Miller with Don Was Nov 12, 2019

One of the most popular tours on the jazz circuit in 2019 was the Double Vision Revisited with Bob James and David Sanborn, along with Marcus Miller, performing the songs from the 1986 album Double Vision. The three sat down with musician, producer and Blue Note Records exec Don Was for a conversation in the Blue Note at Sea tent at the Monterey Jazz Festival in September 2019. The three talk about their early breaks and experiences navigating through the music business and about how the album came about and about how it inadvertently created a genre of music – Smooth Jazz. This episode is sponsored by Blue Note Records. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

#33: Chucho Valdes with Eulis Cathey Nov 05, 2019

Legendary Cuban jazz pianist Chucho Valdes talks with Eulis Cathey from SiriusXM about growing up in Cuba in a very musical family including his father – pianist Bebo Valdes. In this interview from the Jazz Cruise in 2019, Chucho also discusses his band Irakere, the Havana Jazz Festival, Dave Brubeck and Roy Hargrove. This episode is sponsored by SFJAZZ. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

#32: Drum Talk with Mark Ruffin Oct 30, 2019

In this conversation from Blue Note at Sea in 2019, Mark Ruffin talks with four drummers and percussionists - Gene Coye, Conor Parks, Marijus Aleksa and Weedie Braimah – about their initial exposure to jazz, what drummers initially inspired them and their lives in music. This episode is sponsored by the Real Jazz channel on SiriusXM. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises

#31: Lalah Hathaway with Marcus Miller Oct 22, 2019

Vocalist Lalah Hathaway talks with one of her early mentors – bassist/bandleader Marcus Miller – in this conversation recorded in front of a live audience in the second of the two sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise in 2019. The two old friends talk about Lalah’s early days at Berklee, the importance of collaboration and much more. This episode is sponsored by the Blue Note. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

#30: Kenny Barron, Gerald Clayton & James Francies with Don Was Oct 15, 2019

Don Was talks with pianists Kenny Barron, Gerald Clayton & James Francies in this roundtable discussion taped in the Blue Note Sea tent at the Monterey Jazz Festival. This episode is sponsored by Blue Note Records. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

#29: Marcus Miller, Eric Marienthal & Michael Lazaroff on Blue Note at Sea Oct 09, 2019

Michael Lazaroff, executive director of Entertainment Cruise Productions (ECP), sat down with Eric Marienthal and Marcus Miller during the Smooth Jazz Cruise in 2019 to talk about the origins and unique aspects of Blue Note at Sea, which was created by ECP in partnership with Blue Note Records and the Blue Note. Eric serves as the music director and Marcus is one of the three hosts for Blue Note at Sea. This episode is sponsored by the Blue Note. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

#28: Road Stories with Brian Simpson Oct 01, 2019

Brian Simpson, keyboardist and one of the hosts of the Smooth Jazz Cruise, sat down with fellow musicians to exchange tales of being a working and traveling musician. Among the artists sharing their stories with Brian were Steve Oliver, Jerry Johnson, Nathaniel Kearney, Jr. and Third Richardson. This episode is sponsored by the Exit Zero Jazz Festival. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

#27: Tommy Igoe with Eulis Cathey Sep 24, 2019

In this conversation from The Jazz Cruise ’19, drummer and bandleader Tommy Igoe talks with Sirius XM Real Jazz host Eulis Cathey about growing up in a very musical household. The energetic Tommy tells stories about his drummer/educator father Sonny, who served as a model for his son. Tommy also explains how he came to host a weekly gig at Birdland in NYC and he shares his experiences as the longtime drummer for “The Lion King” on Broadway. This episode is sponsored by SFJAZZ. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

#26: Pianists Roundtable with Mark Ruffin Sep 17, 2019

In this roundtable discussion taped on Blue Note at Sea ’19, six of the pianists performing on the cruise – Gerald Clayton, Sullivan Fortner, Ashley Henry, Stu Mindeman, Takeshi Ohbayashi and Brett Williams – sat down with Mark Ruffin of Sirius XM to talk about their entry into playing music, their influences and their creative process. They also discuss how they approach playing with singers and what they’d tell their children about pursuing a life in music. This episode is sponsored by Blue Note Records. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

#25: Marcus Miller with Alonzo Bodden Sep 10, 2019

This interesting 1:1 session was moderated by our comedian-in-residence Alonzo Bodden who interviewed his friend and fellow host for both the Smooth Jazz Cruise and Blue Note at Sea – Marcus Miller. The bassist and bandleader talked with Alonzo about the real chronology of his life, including EXACTLY how old he was when he started playing with Miles Davis. And about how his pork-pie hat became his professional, but not personal, look. And so much more. This episode is sponsored by the Blue Note. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

#24: Veronica Swift & Emmet Cohen with Shelly Berg Sep 05, 2019

In this taping of Shelly Berg’s Sirius/XM show “Generation Next,” Shelly sat down with two rising stars in jazz: vocalist Veronica Swift and pianist Emmet Cohen, both of whom he taught at the University of Miami. In this conversation recorded on The Jazz Cruise '19, they talk about and play cuts from their latest albums and also perform an impromptu tune with Shelly. This episode is sponsored by Birdland Jazz. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

#23: Vocal Rap with Mark Ruffin Aug 27, 2019

This panel from Blue Note at Sea ’19 features four vocalists who performed on the cruise: Cecile McLorin Salvant, Jose James, Kevin Whalum and Kathy Kosins, who share stories about their very different experiences in the jazz and music world. 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.

#22: The Women's Hour with Candy Dulfer Aug 20, 2019

Candy Dulfer moderated this conversation with Lalah Hathaway, Lindsey Webster, Nadira Kimberly Scruggs and Honey LaRochelle about a range of topics, including how they got into music and jazz, as well as about their advice for young women entering the music business. They also addressed the issue of women being stereotyped as vocalists rather than instrumentalists in the world of jazz. Plus, they talked about a topic rarely discussed at any other panel. This episode is sponsored by the Detroit Jazz Festival. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

#21: Mary Stallings with Dick Golden Aug 13, 2019

Vocalist Mary Stallings sat down with author and radio host Dick Golden to talk about her storied career, including her early experiences touring with Count Basie, performing with Dizzy Gillespie and hanging with Billy Eckstine. Stallings, who celebrated her 80th birthday this week, had a long hiatus from full-time singing while she raised her daughter, but has been releasing acclaimed albums since 1990. 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.

#20: Keyboardists Talk with Robert Glasper Aug 06, 2019

Six keyboardists from Blue Note at Sea ’19 sat down with Robert Glasper to talk about their beginnings, influences and current direction. You get to hear from Geoffrey Keezer, Sullivan Fortner, Terrace Martin, Taylor McFerrin, Lawrence Fields and Kandace Springs. Plus, Robert who sits in as part of the all keyboard "band" on this one. This episode is sponsored by the Detroit Jazz Festival. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

#19: Guitarists Talk with Marcus Miller Jul 30, 2019

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 Jazz House Kids and the Montclair Jazz Festival. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

#18: Joey Alexander with Shelly Berg Jul 23, 2019

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.

#17: Bass Talk with Marcus Miller Jul 16, 2019

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.

#16: Lalah Hathaway with Marcus Miller Jul 09, 2019

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.

#15: Renee Rosnes with Eulis Cathey Jul 02, 2019

Over the last few years, Renee Rosnes has become a regular performer on The Jazz Cruise, playing with her trio or with a quartet or even solo. She’s recorded nearly two dozen albums as a leader and also played in the bands of jazz greats such as Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, Bobby Hutcherson, James Moody and Ron Carter. A founding member of the SFJAZZ Collective, more recently she’s been the music director for the all-women band Artemis. During the Jazz Cruise earlier this year Renee sat down for a fascinating one-on-one conversation with Sirius/XM host Eulis Cathey. In this very interesting discussion, Renee talked about growing up in western Canada, learning to play jazz, 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 New York City. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

#14: Vocalists Roundtable with Mark Ruffin Jun 25, 2019

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.

#13: Lee Ritenour with Marcus Miller Jun 18, 2019

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.

#12: Steve Tyrell with Dick Golden Jun 11, 2019

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 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.

#11: Horn Talk From Blue Note at Sea Jun 04, 2019

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

#1: Marcus Miller with Alonzo Bodden Mar 20, 2019

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.

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