Going to Wimbledon has always been one of the bucket list items of my life. I am a tennis fan, an avid (not talented) player and I can remember watching Sampras, Borg, McEnroe, Connors and, of course, Federer play on Centre Court. Parts of the tournament were always around July 4th, which made taking time off to watch all the easier. The English have a way of making pomp and circumstance almost acceptable. The all-white rule, the Royal Box and the curtsies by the female winners are silly, but, in most ways, charming.
We are back home now, but we were at the matches this week. We had the good fortune of being there for the Round of 16. The 32 best gentlemen and ladies’ players in the tournament were on display for us to watch. You could not see them all, but you could sample what you wanted and linger when you chose to do so. It was a great time, particularly because my wife, Paula, who recently has become a tennis fan and a very good tennis player, enjoyed each minute.
Being in the cruise business, we rarely take a vacation as we travel a lot for the company. Our last vacation was years ago, long before the Pandemic. We planned this trip for a year, made our reservations through a very competent organization that specializes in Grand Slam Tennis events, and carefully plotted out each minute of the trip.
As fate would have it, though we came to London for the tennis, our most lasting memories will be the “jazz” portion of the trip. First, on the day after the Round of 16, Paula and I had lunch at the Reform Club with one of the most revered guests of The Jazz Cruise, Keith McDowall. Keith is 94 and has sailed with us in some form or another for more than 30 years, having started with my mother, Anita Berry, on the SS Norway.
Keith was the husband of another legend of The Jazz Cruise, Brenda Dean, Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde. Brenda came from a modest home, but, at a very young age, she became involved with the National Union of Printing, Bookbinding and Paper Workers, rising through the ranks of the union and becoming one of the most powerful members in the country. Dean was raised to the peerage in October 1993 as Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde, of Eccles in the County of Greater Manchester and was appointed to the Privy Council in 1998. She passed quite suddenly a few years ago and her life was celebrated in England and on The Jazz Cruise. On my desk is a coffee mug (more likely for tea) that she presented to me from the House of Lords. I treasure that memento.
The Reform Club deserves a few lines of its own. Founded in 1836, the club was formed for the benefit of Radicals and Whigs who supported the Great Reform Act of 1832. Eventually, the club became the political headquarters of the Liberal Party. Perhaps the club is best known as the locale for the start and creation of Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days.
Now to jazz event #2. Our last night in London was equally dedicated to our jazz roots, only this time there was amazing music to be enjoyed. We had the good fortune of being in London when the famed local jazz club, Ronnie Scott’s, was presenting our very own Marcus Miller. Attending the show with Jazz Cruise leaders, Aubrey and Brad Pavlik, seeing Marcus, talking with Brenda…it was like being on the ship. Had Alonzo Bodden made an appearance, it would have been a “perfect” cruise event.
As always, Marcus was amazing. Great band. Great atmosphere. Great ending to one of the most memorable weeks ever. No matter where we go, there is always a Jazz Cruises’ connection to enjoy. Special music makes great things happen.
Now, it is our turn to go back to work to create several amazing weeks of enjoyment for you, the greatest fans in the world.
By Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Chris Botti at Sea, and Journey of Jazz. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at [email protected].
Fall Festivals
Although most people think of the summer as the prime time of the year for jazz festivals, September has become a very popular month for jazz events, in part because some organizations moved their events from the summer during the pandemic. Here are four jazz festivals that are coming up in the fall and that feature several artists associated with Jazz Cruises programs. Listed in chronological order.
Montclair Jazz Festival
September 14, 2024
Montclair, NJ
This event is produced by our friends at Jazz House Kids, under the leadership of Melissa Walker and Christian McBride. Although the festival includes a concert series during the summer, it’s the Grand Finale that takes over the streets of Montclair, NJ with three stages featuring performances by Christian McBride & Inside Straight, Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton, Edmar Castenada, Steve Turre, Jerome Jennings, Brianna Thomas and the Jazz House All-Stars.
Pittsburgh Jazz Festival
September 19-22, 2024
Pittsburgh, PA
This free outdoor festival returns to the streets of downtown Pittsburgh and features several artists who have performed on our sailings, including Maysa, Emmet Cohen, Sean Jones, Robert Glasper and Dan Wilson, as well as other headliners such as Orrin Evans, Shemekia Copeland, Average White Band and many more. The festival also hosts a jazz train that leaves from New York City with stops in Newark and Philadelphia before arriving in the Iron City in time for the start of the festival.
Atlantic City JazzFest
September 21, 2024
Atlantic City, NJ
Held at the Hard Rock Casino on the boardwalk of the Jersey seaside resort, this one-day event is the fifth annual Atlantic City JazzFest and will feature performances by Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler and Jazmin Ghent.
Monterey Jazz Festival
September 27-29, 2024
Monterey, CA
Considered one of the most prestigious jazz festivals in the world, the Monterey Jazz Festival celebrates its 67th anniversary with performances in various venues on the hallowed ground of the Monterey Fairgrounds. Among the headliners are numerous favorites of our Jazz Cruises guests, including Samara Joy, Jose James, Robert Glasper, Gerald Clayton, Avery*Sunshine, Ben Williams, Don Was, Chief Adjuah, Cory Henry and many others.
Mid-Summer Vacation July 3 – 14
The Jazz Cruise office is closed through July 14 for a mid-Summer Vacation. We will reopen at the usual time (10 AM ET) on Monday, July 15, 2024. During this time, guests may complete reservations online, check their Jazz Cruises account and submit questions to us at [email protected]. Responses may take a bit longer, but we will answer all questions submitted.
1-Day Tickets to STL Jazz Fest are On Sale NOW!
1-Day tickets for STL Jazz Fest are now on sale! For details about the festival and information on how to purchase tickets, see below:
STL JAZZ FEST
Produced by Jazz Cruises
The Factory – Chesterfield (St. Louis) Missouri
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2024
Eric Marienthal Quintet, featuring Niki Haris
The Comedy of Alonzo Bodden
GREGORY PORTER
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2024
Mindi Abair with Eric Marienthal & Friends
The Comedy of Alonzo Bodden
BRIAN CULBERTSON
Doors 6 PM / Showtime 7 PM
Jazz Cruises’ ’25 Programs
The Jazz Cruise ’25
Celebrating its 25th Anniversary
The Last 55 Staterooms…Act Now!
The plans for the 25th Anniversary sailing of The Jazz Cruise ’25 are spectacular. The cruise is over 95% reserved and is currently in Open Booking, which means that anyone may reserve any available stateroom. The remaining inventory, totaling under 55 staterooms, includes Veranda and Inside Staterooms.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘25.1 & ‘25.2
Starting its 3rd Decade
Both Sailings Fully Reserved
With both sailings being fully reserved, guests wishing to sail on a ’25 sailing of The Smooth Jazz Cruise should JOIN WAITLIST now. Cancellations will be filled exclusively from the WAITLIST. WAITLIST guests qualify for special terms when reserving a stateroom on The Jazz Cruise ’25 or Botti at Sea II.
Botti at Sea II
Every Night is a Night on the Town
New Performer – Diana Krall!
Botti at Sea ’25 is over 65% reserved. Anyone may reserve an available stateroom by calling the office during regular business hours or doing so online. It was this time last year that there was a “run” on staterooms, so act now! Diana Krall has just been added to the lineup!
Journey of Jazz ’25
Jazz Life at Sea & On Land
Reserve Now – Land Events Menu Soon
Jazz Cruises’ newest program, Journey of Jazz, hosted by Marcus Miller & Gregory Porter, is in Open Booking. Though not sailing for 15 months, the cruise is more than 65% reserved. Menu of land-based events in Victoria and San Francisco to be announced in late July! Reserve your stateroom now to be eligible for events at that time.
Mug Shots of the Week
Guests on the ’24 jazz 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].