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January 27, 2024
OUR TAKE: At-Sea Edition #3 – The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’24 Celebrates it’s 20th Anniversary
It is Day 3 of The Greatest Party at Sea! Everyone is in a celebratory mood as we start a two-week celebration of the 20th Anniversary of The Smooth Jazz Cruise. As…
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January 20, 2024
OUR TAKE: At-Sea Edition #2 – The Jazz Cruise ’24 is Underway
Today is the 3rd day of The Jazz Cruise ’24. Amazingly, during our first two days, we have enjoyed more than 20 “In Concert” events. Virtually every one of the…
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January 13, 2024
OUR TAKE: At-Sea Edition #1
In a few hours, several Jazz Cruises’ staff will be boarding Celebrity Summit for a 5-day cruise during which we will be preparing for our four 7-day programs that begin…
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January 6, 2024
OUR TAKE: What’s in Store for ’24
The world of Jazz Cruises reflects the growing interest in live music. The upcoming ’24 Cruises are fully subscribed, and the readership of The Weekender and Jazz Notes is larger…
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December 23, 2023
OUR TAKE: ‘Tis the Season for Good Cheer and Resolutions!
The holidays are now in full swing. I know this because no agent or manager is answering their calls and, when I do reach someone, it is a recording saying,…
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December 16, 2023
OUR TAKE: Programming a Show; Programming the Circus
Last week was dominated by programming of upcoming shows and cruises. We had two Samara Joy shows to program and our entire team was in St. Louis working through the…
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December 9, 2023
OUR TAKE: Joy to the World
For the next couple of days, at Jazz Cruises, it is all about Samara Joy. Turn back the calendar one year and I will bet that many of you had…
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December 2, 2023
OUR TAKE: A Musician for All Seasons
Wycliffe Gordon is in our hometown this week performing at Jazz St. Louis. I had the absolute pleasure of seeing him and his wonderful band, the International All Stars (Adrian…
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November 25, 2023
OUR TAKE: A Great-Full Thanksgiving Message
It’s Thanksgiving weekend; a time for good cheer.Many believe it’s the best time of the year! It’s only one day, there’s no Thanksgiving Eve,The meal is quite simple, requires no…
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November 18, 2023
OUR TAKE: To be Known for Something Other Than Being You
On Sunday mornings, Paula and I drink coffee and watch Sunday Today with Willie Geist. Besides liking him as a host, the show is a nice mix of news, entertainment…
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November 11, 2023
OUR TAKE: Did You Hear The One About…
Humor is important to me. Sharing laughter with others is often the best way to break the ice and create a community of spirit and purpose. Checking to see who…
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November 4, 2023
OUR TAKE: Ready to “Fall Back”
Later tonight, actually early tomorrow morning, most of us will be turning our clocks back one hour to reflect the end of Daylight Savings Time and the beginning of Standard…
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October 28, 2023
OUR TAKE: His Name Will Live On
Last weekend, while working at the office on the programming for one of our cruises, I received an email from one of our guests. Knowing my fondness for and recent…
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October 21, 2023
OUR TAKE: Change of Mind
Changing one’s mind. Doing so can be seen as a sign of flip-flopping or being insincere. Pointing out the inconsistencies of an opponent on issues has been a political tool…
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October 14, 2023
OUR TAKE: And You Thought That Fredericksburg Was Only A Civil War Location
Before we go further, I loathe braggarts, folks who tell you what special things they are doing or have done, name droppers, and anyone who is trying to impress you…
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October 7, 2023
OUR TAKE: In Memoriam
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…
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September 30, 2023
OUR TAKE: Creating a Jazz Memory
Earlier this week, we announced the details of The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.1 & ’25.2. One could easily ask “why now?” There are many reasons, ranging from that is what…
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