We spent some time this week working on the programming for The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’24. Since these sailings represent the 20th Anniversary of that program, elements of nostalgia are being imbedded in various events. Images of past sailings, particularly past performers who are no longer with us, kept popping up. Granted, losing folks in a 20-year span is expected, but it still hurts…some quite a bit.
From time to time, we have talked about these losses and not just for The Smooth Jazz Cruise, but for The Jazz Cruise as well. Botti at Sea and Blue Note at Sea are so recent that they do not have such legacies. Still, you could present one heckuva cruise program with the heavenly team of past musicians that have sailed on our programs.
The rhythm section would be a great place to start. Over the years, we have talked about the loss of drummers, including Khari Parker and Ricky Lawson. But I do not recall that we properly recognized the passing of Joe Ascione. Joe was a regular performer on The Jazz Cruise from its inception in 2001. He was an amazing player and a great guy. I remember that he was always in the top 2 or 3 drummers in the fastest roll contests. Always smiling and always ready to join in on almost any set or group, Joe was a great asset on those early days of The Jazz Cruise when we had fewer musicians, but a ton of music.
Any illness and early death are tough, but Joe battled Multiple Sclerosis for 18 years before succumbing to the disease in 2011. You read that correctly. A great drummer with MS. There is tough, and then there is cruel. Joe stayed in the music game in various ways, but he had started playing drums when he was 2!
For many in the Jazz Cruises world, the loss of a bass player begins and ends with the great Wayman Tisdale. We have shared his story many times and will continue to do so in the future. His impact and importance are commensurate with his 6’ 9” frame and 5 mile wide smile. An All-American, Olympic Gold Medal Winning, NBA Basketball star losing a leg to cancer and dying soon thereafter is a tragedy of epic proportions. But, here too, we have an early bassist stalwart of The Jazz Cruise to remember.
From the start of that cruise, Keter Betts was held to be the Mayor of The Jazz Cruise. Short in stature, tall in talent and beloved by all, Keter just set the tone for the early years of the cruise. Those sailings, while featuring some top stars, were dominated by great players who were more known for their support or sidemen roles. Keter was their leader, but it was folks like Red Holloway and our very own Houston Person who were his sidekicks and supporters. More than once Keter boarded the ship while his bass sat quietly in his hotel room. Reuniting him with his instrument became one of the standard events on Embarkation Day.
I have shared my utter despair when I learned that pianist George Duke passed. I am not capable of saying just a few words about him, so I will wait for another time to share and reshare my times with him. Once again, we may have overlooked one of the most important musicians ever to perform on The Jazz Cruise. Eddie Higgins was a piano player’s piano player. Eddie was quiet and mild mannered. I once heard a radio jockey describe him as “one of the very best pianists in the world though he never was able to have sunlight shine on his career.”
From what I can tell, the DJ got it right, so why would I hold Eddie in such reverence? Easy. When Anita Berry was making the transition from a Jazz program on the S.S Norway to the full ship charter known as The Jazz Cruise, it was Eddie, with an assist from Houston, who took the time to help her create a lineup, find technical support, and do the programming. If Anita was the founder of The Jazz Cruise, then Eddie would be the 1st Lieutenant. From his annual playing of America, the Beautiful to his iron-clad dining time of 6 pm, Eddie was the most consistent, steadfast and reliable member of the performers in those early years.
As usual, I may have buried the lead. On several occasions, Eddie asked Anita to marry him. As a stepfather, he would have been the only member of our family, other than my father, who could carry a tune. Actually, the only one who knew a tune.
Joe, Keter, and Eddie are not the only early stars of The Jazz Cruise who have passed. No one has replaced the song style of Freddy Cole. For years, all late-night music was in the Ocean Bar, which was renamed “Freddy’s Place” for the cruises. Freddy was inducted into The Jazz Cruise Hall of Fame in 2011 alongside another perennial star, James Moody. 2025 is the centennial birthday of Moody. Do you think we are going to incorporate that celebration in The Jazz Cruise ’25?
Only one way to find out. In just a few weeks most of the lineup for The Jazz Cruise will be announced.
By Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Botti at Sea and The McDonald & LaBelle Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at [email protected].
Bob James Releases Jazz Hands Albums
The legendary keyboardist Bob James, who will be sailing on The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25 with the supergroup, The Summit, has released a new album, Jazz Hands on the audiophile label, EvoSound. The recording, the 37th solo album in Bob’s long career, features his touring trio of bassist Michael Palazzolo and drummer James Adkins, along with special guests, playing Jazz-funk mixed with soundscapes and even hip-hop beats. The title track was co-written by the Atlanta-based vocalist Ceelo Green of Gnarls Barkley fame. Bob also collaborated with DJ Jazzy Jeff on “That Bop,” featuring Bob’s piano hooks to a thumping dance track. “Jazz Hands is probably the most eclectic album I’ve done,” Bob says. “There’s not really one specific genre, and there were a lot of different musicians involved at different periods.”
Ann Hampton Callaway Releases New Album of Originals
Singer and songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway, a longtime favorite of The Jazz Cruise guests, has just released a new album with all original material. The recording, Finding Beauty, Originals Volume 1, also features special guests such as Melissa Manchester, Kurt Elling, Tierney Sutton, Niki Haris, Jarrett Johnson, and Ann’s sister, Liz Callaway, among others. Ann also co-wrote a song with Oscar-winning composer, Alan Bergman. “This is my most personal record,” Ann explains. “Throughout my career, I’ve loved singing the great Jazz classics and selections from the Great American Songbook, but I’ve always snuck my original songs on various projects. The pandemic made me think, ‘I don’t know if I’ll live through this, but if I do, what’s at the top of my bucket list?’ And I realized that I wanted to tell my story and share the deepest part of me. What better way than by sharing and singing songs I’ve written?”
Ms. Monet is Selected on The Voice
Mug Shots
Each guest on the cruises received The Weekender mug, which we hope you will use with your Saturday morning coffee while you read the latest edition. Please share a picture of yourself & your mug with us so that we can include it for the 100,000+ folks who receive The Weekender each Saturday. Tag us @thejazzcruise @bottiatsea @thesmoothjazzcruise #jazzcruises and #theweekender. Email your photo to [email protected].
Your Weekly Jazz Cruises Updates
Our Cruises – Moving Out & Moving In
Fall is the time to move out your summer wardrobe, move in your patio furniture and move forward with your winter music cruise vacation plans.
At Jazz Cruises, Fall is the time to move for sale the few remaining staterooms for The Jazz Cruise ’24 (Some Veranda, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms, <35 in all) and Chris Botti at Sea ’24 (13 Staterooms, All Inside). To make this happen and to clear our showroom of the ’24 staterooms for the ’25 model year, the prices on our remaining inventory are moving down. Promo code: FALL
In the spirit of out with the old and in with the new, earlier this week The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.1 & ’25.2 were launched! Those sailing on a ’24 Sailing of The Smooth Jazz Cruise have from now through November 17, 2023, to rebook their current stateroom and those who are not sailing in ’24 may complete a Pre-Sale Reservation during that same period which establishes their priority for a reservation.
’24 Cruises
The Jazz Cruise ’24
18 Veranda Staterooms
Fewer than 14 Ocean View and Inside Staterooms
Special FALL prices for Verandas, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms
To learn more about the activities and events on The Jazz Cruise ’24, go to www.thejazzcruise.com, click on Booked Guests and review Get Ready Letter #4.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’24.1 & ’24.2
All Staterooms are reserved
If you wish to sail, go to JOIN WAITLIST
Chris Botti at Sea ‘24
13 Staterooms (all Inside) remain available
Special FALL prices for Inside Staterooms
No Other Staterooms Available
McDonald & LaBelle Cruise ‘24
Balcony, Ocean View & Inside Staterooms Available
Special FALL prices for Verandas, Ocean View and Inside Staterooms
PLEASE NOTE: FALL PRICES END 10.20.23
Use PROMO CODE FALL for special prices on The Jazz Cruise ’24, Botti at Sea ’24 or McDonald & LaBelle Cruise ’24.
’25 Cruises
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.1 & ’25.2
Now thru November 17, 2023
Guests sailing on The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’24.1 & ’24.2 may rebook their current stateroom.
All others may complete a Pre-Sale Reservation which establishes their priority for ’25.
The Jazz Cruise ’25
Launch of The Jazz Cruise ’25 is scheduled for late November 2023.
Chris Botti at Sea ‘25
Launch of Chris Botti at Sea ’25 is scheduled for late November / early December 2023.