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 do not share the laugh is also important. There is nothing wrong with not laughing, but if four people laugh at the same thing, the fifth person, who did not laugh, is probably not well suited to this particular group, at least not at that moment for the activity they are enjoying. Shared humor requires a shared vision and perspective.
The folks sharing the laugh are in harmony about what is humorous to them. Perhaps only one of them told the joke or the story. Perhaps another riffed on that joke and added another layer of humor. The rest of the group provided support and their laughter was the direct result of the actions of the storyteller(s). Most of you know where this is going from here.
Watching our favorite musicians perform in various configurations is fascinating. Each configuration is a combination of folks sharing the same focus and hearing the same sounds just as a group may enjoy the same joke. Very few jazz musicians are linear in their thinking so their quest for expression and for “sharing the moment” is manifested in various ways. Christian McBride performs as Christian McBride & Inside Straight, Christian McBride’s New Jawn, Christian McBride Trio, Christian McBride & Tip City, A Christian McBride Situation and Christian McBride Big Band. Each group is different. Each has its unique vibe and purpose. Though there are players who appear in more than one group, most of the groups are autonomous.
Norman Brown, Kirk Whalum and Rick Braun performed as BWB. Richard Elliot and Rick perform as R ‘n R. Add others, such as Jonathan Butler, and you have Jazz Attack. Roll all of them up in one, add Peter White and Jeff Golub and you have Guitars and Saxes. Each group with a mission of its own. Each group leans in on what vision or concept they share. Yes, it is like guys on a street corner huddling together and asking “Did you hear the one about…” If they all laugh, they have a group. Those not interested walk away leaving the others to be the group.
Watching a jazz trio, quartet or quintet perform you cannot help but feel the “shared” camaraderie. Whether it is the product of travel on the road, commonality of music taste or simply appreciation of the other’s talent, sitting in the audience often feels like you are eavesdropping on an inside joke amongst others. When that sense of team is not present, for whatever reason, the group does not sound nearly as good or appear to be nearly as happy. The goal is to be “tight.”
In this sense, “tight” refers to the band being on tempo. No one is rushing or lagging. Groups that have performed together for years can create a sense of oneness, a truly shared sound. For those who have sailed on The Jazz Cruise, we present both set performing groups and all-star groups which are created by assigning various top jazz musicians to share the bandstand with others. These selections form a rhythm section and horns, reeds, guitars and vocalists are added. Most all-star groups feature seven or eight players. The top-performing groups are easy to spot. They are “tight,” really “tight.” The performing groups where key players are new to the group are less so.
But, amazingly, most of the all-star groups give a “tight” feel to their music. Remember, these groups do not rehearse. About 15 minutes before performing, the leader lists a few tunes to see if everyone knows them, takes recommendations and then hits the bandstand, usually to the thunderous and appreciative applause of the audience.
The epitome of this phenomenon, for me, took place on an earlier sailing of The Jazz Cruise. Did you hear the one about…the time that Shelly Berg, Arturo Sandoval, Marcus Miller, Wycliffe Gordon and a drummer whose name I have forgotten were scheduled to perform as an all-star group in the main theater. I was to introduce the group, so I was backstage when Shelly tried to call out a setlist. Arturo, never one to be shy, hijacked the first song, accelerated the pace, amped up the volume, and, to his view, left the others in the dust. For those unfamiliar with this contact sport, it is called “cutting.” One musician goes over the top in effect rendering the subsequent solos pale in comparison.
First Wycliffe, then Marcus, and finally, Shelly stepped up to the plate and each hit a home run. Arturo smiled after each solo and by the time they were done, these musicians had a shared experience that they will remember for a long time. Not sure that the term “fast friends” would apply, but hard-earned and much-appreciated respect was forged. As I said, here was a case where four of the five “laughed” at the same story. That I cannot remember the name of the fifth person, the drummer, is strong evidence that he was not a fit for this group.
My guess is that he found his own group of guys to share a laugh, a song and a performance.
By Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Chris Botti at Sea and The McDonald & LaBelle Cruise. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at [email protected].
Emmet Cohen Album with Houston Person
Two artists from very different generations with close ties to The Jazz Cruise have just released a new album—Emmet Cohen’s Masters Legacy Series, Volume 5, featuring Houston Person—the latest in a series of recordings that features Emmet’s trio with a legendary jazz artist.
Among the jazz masters in previous releases are George Coleman, Benny Golson, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Ron Carter and Jimmy Cobb. Besides their common experiences on The Jazz Cruise over the years, Emmet and Houston have shared the bandstand numerous times, including as part of the weekly web concert series, Live from Emmet’s Place. “Houston has a story, a personal relationship with all of these tunes,” Emmet says. “To be part of that story is special for me and gives my music and artistry meaning and depth.”
On a personal note. Houston Person turned 89 yesterday. It seems like only a few days ago he was 88! If you love Houston as much as we do at Jazz Cruises, take a moment to email him a birthday wish… [email protected]. The number of true treasures in jazz grows fewer every day. Paying homage and respect to those still making music is a worthwhile endeavor.
Chick Corea Elektric Band Album
In the ‘80s, Chick Corea formed a group that came to define the jazz fusion sound of that time and set the bar for excellence in contemporary jazz. The Chick Corea Elektric Band featured our own Jazz Cruises music director Eric Marienthal on saxophone, as well as The Jazz Cruise ’24 artist John Patitucci on bass, Dave Weckl on drums and Frank Gambale on guitar.
Candid Records has just put out The Future is Now, a previously unreleased album of live recordings with the reunited classic Elektric Band, captured during tour stops in 2016 and 2017, and compiled by Chick before his passing in February of 2021.
The 3-disc vinyl LP and 2-disc CD features in-depth liner notes from Corea, and all the Elektric Band members.
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].
The ’25 Cruise Programs
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25
25.1 February 11-18, 2025
25.2 February 18-25, 2025
GUESTS SAILING IN ’24
- Guests who are sailing on The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’24 have until November 17, 2023, to rebook their current staterooms! After that date, any stateroom not rebooked will be available to those holding a Pre-Sale Reservation.
GUESTS NOT SAILING IN ’24
- Those not sailing on The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’24 have until November 17, 2023, to establish their priority for a stateroom on a Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25 Sailing by completing a Pre-Sale Reservation.
- Starting on November 27, 2023, Guests with Pre-Sale Reservations will be assigned a window to select and reserve any available stateroom for a Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25 Sailing.
As of yesterday, over 1,000 Pre-Sale Reservations have been completed!
Chris Botti at Sea ’25
will be announced on November 29, 2023!
GUESTS SAILING IN ’24
• Guests who are sailing on Botti at Sea ‘24 have until February 10, 2024 (the third full day of the cruise) to rebook their current staterooms! After that date, any stateroom not rebooked will be available to those holding a Pre-Sale Reservation.
GUESTS NOT SAILING IN ’24
• Starting on November 30, 2023, those not sailing on Botti at Sea ’24 have until February 8, 2024 (the first day of the cruise) to establish their priority for a stateroom on Chris Botti at Sea ’25 by completing a Pre-Sale Reservation.
• Starting on February 20, 2024, Guests with Pre-Sale Reservations will be assigned a window to select and reserve any available stateroom for Chris Botti at Sea ’25.
The Jazz Cruise ’25
will be announced on December 6, 2023!
GUESTS SAILING IN ’24
• Guests who are sailing on The Jazz Cruise ’24 have until January 20, 2024 (the third full day of the cruise), to rebook their current staterooms! After that date, any stateroom not rebooked will be available to those holding a Pre-Sale Reservation.
GUESTS NOT SAILING IN ’24
• Starting on December 7, 2023, those not sailing on The Jazz Cruise ’24 have until January 18, 2024 (the first day of the cruise) to establish their priority for a stateroom on The Jazz Cruise ’25 by completing a Pre-Sale Reservation.
• Starting on January 22, 2024, Guests with Pre-Sale Reservations will be assigned a window to select and reserve any available stateroom for The Jazz Cruise ’25.