OUR TAKE: Reviving Our Jazz Traditions

A few months ago, I was bemoaning the “loss” of two important and meaningful events and relationships in my world of jazz. The Vail Jazz Organization announced that it would not produce its annual Vail Jazz Party in ’24 and John Ernesto announced his retirement from his role with Berks Jazz Fest, which did not terminate the festival but changed our interaction completely. Things change and time marches on, but these were sad moments for me.

Today, I confirmed my attendance at the 30th Anniversary of the Vail Jazz Party and spoke with John Ernesto about his new position with the Berks Jazz Fest. The world is in a good place. It is not clear to what extent these new developments are permanent or to what extent the “good old days” have returned, but even if the Vail Jazz Party only extends through this Labor Day weekend and even if John Ernesto’s run with Berks Jazz Fest lasts only a few years, the postponement of the demise of those two relationships makes me smile. As any good tax attorney would tell you, deferment of a bad result is almost as good as forgiveness.

The Vail Jazz Party has always been the mountainside version of The Jazz Cruise. With John Clayton, Lewis Nash, Terell Stafford, Dick Oatts, Bill Cunliffe, Wycliffe Gordon, Obed Calvaire, James Morrison and Niki Haris on the upcoming schedule, you have years and years of performance by stars of The Jazz Cruise to savor. Plus, there are many patrons of the Vail Jazz Party that you see year after year on The Jazz Cruise. It is a cross between a reunion and a pre-cruise planning party.

I have learned that the decision to present the 30th Anniversary edition of the Vail Jazz Party was made, of course, by Cathy Stone herself! One of the calls to arms to be there is directly related to her participation. Cathy is one of those people whose presence alone can insure full participation by others. Neither Paula, nor me would feel good if we missed a Cathy-prompted event. I understand that tickets remain available for each of the days of the festival.

John Ernesto’s return to the Berks Jazz Fest is a bit more complicated. Apparently, the efforts of a new guard with the festival did not pan out as hoped. Applying strong measures and rules to an event that has been successful due to its warmth and sincerity can be a risky tactic. Not everyone in the world around Reading, PA was happy with the new system, so out with the new and in with the…well, the more seasoned group of leaders.

John is not returning to his former chief cook and bottle washer role, but he will be heavily involved in the talent selection process and programming. While speaking with him on the phone, you could hear his smile as he recounted the series of events that have returned him to the event that, more than anyone, he has nurtured and propelled to be a worldwide event. Like hot dogs and beer, you cannot imagine a Berks Jazz Fest without the presence of John Ernesto.

As I have shared before, John’s jazz palate is broad. He can talk about and present musicians in the “straight ahead” world, the “smooth jazz” world, and that vast worldwide world in the middle. The programs he has produced under the Berks Jazz Fest banner reflect this approach to jazz. Brilliantly presented with love and care, John leaves it up to the fan to choose which events and shows fit their particular jazz tastes. A very similar approach to our family of jazz cruises. Our mutual friendship stems from that shared view.

Sadly, you cannot turn back the clock and undo every loss in your life. Sometimes all you can do is cope. We are assisting in the planning and presentation of land events honoring David Sanborn and will have our own remembrance on the cruises. That reality still stings. On the positive side, Houston Person, who missed The Jazz Cruise for the first time since its inception (2001), will be returning just in time for The Jazz Cruise’s 25^th Anniversary. Only 30 or so staterooms remain for that special sailing, by the way.

As each of us age, there is a realization that not everything we do, say, or know is vital to our well-being. Some things are trivial, frivolous, or just plain noise. When juxtaposed against the truly important and meaningful people, things, and events that help define and enrich your life, it becomes easier to discard the outer layers and hold onto the kernels firmly. 

At Jazz Cruises, we know that we cannot be perfect and that, from time to time, mistakes and miscues will occur. But we will never relinquish our love for the music, the joy we feel in serving our guests, and the thrill of presenting our programs. Other emotions come and go, but those three feelings will be ours to share with you forever.

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].

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The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 & ‘26.2
Will Be Announced on 8.14.24

It has become a tradition to start the reservation process for the next set of sailings of The Smooth Jazz Cruise (’26 Cruises) right before Labor Day of the year immediately before (’24) the upcoming sailings (’25 Cruises). With more than 4,000 people on the Waitlist for the ’25 Cruises, doing so provides fairness and certainty for those wishing to secure reservations for the ’26 Cruises. 

The details of the ’26 Cruises will be shared with you on 8.14.24, fewer than two weeks from now. On 8.15.24, the Reservation Process for The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 or ‘26.2 begins. As that date becomes closer, more information will be sent to you, but below is a quick overview of the process.

How to Reserve a Stateroom for
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 or ‘26.2

Your reservation path depends upon your status for the ’25 Cruises.

Guests Sailing on either The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘25.1 or ‘25.2
Guests sailing on either The Smooth Jazz Cruise ’25.1 or ’25.2 have the exclusive opportunity to rebook their current stateroom on their respective sailing at the rate consistent with their Jazz Cruises’ sailing history at any time between 8.15.24 through 9.15.24. A modest deposit is due at that time with no further payments required until after the ’25 Cruises have sailed.

Again, those guests will receive information about the ’26 Cruises and instructions as to how to rebook their current stateroom by email in advance of 8.15.24, including instructions for those seeking a different stateroom or week for sailing.

Guests Not Sailing on The Smooth Jazz Cruise in ’25
If you are not a guest on a ’25 Cruise, you may initiate your reservation procedure and establish your priority for selecting a stateroom and completing a reservation by submitting a Pre-Sale Reservation starting 8.15.24. Your priority in the system is dependent upon your sailing history and the date upon which you completed your Pre-Sale Reservation.

Full instructions for completing a Pre-Sale Reservation will be available to you before 8.15.24. A modest deposit, fully-refundable if no stateroom is reserved, will be required as part of the process.

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Shelly Berg’s Alegria

Shelly Berg, who has been an anchor for The Jazz Cruise for so many years as a host and artistic director, has released his latest album, a unique trio project featuring bassist Carlitos Del Puerto and drummer Dafnis Prieto, along with special guest, tenor saxophonist Melvin Butler. The album spotlights brand new originals by Shelly, and fresh takes on classics from Leonard Bernstein and The Beatles. But the record’s true hallmark is its intentional closeness and sharing between creator and listener. “It’s really important that there’s a relationship between artist and audience,” says Shelly. “The more the audience feels included in the music, the better time everybody has — the more opportunity for the music to do what music does — to reach them and move them. When music is at its best, it can create a deep connection between performers and listeners.” 

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Bria Skonberg’s What It Means

Bria Skonberg, another favorite of guests of The Jazz Cruise, has also released a new album, What It Means, with the title taken from the standard, “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?” The album features the great New Orleans drum legend Herlin Riley, bassist Grayson Brockamp, pianist Chris Pattishall and horn players Aurora Nealand, Rex Gregory, Ethan Santos and Ben Jaffe. Vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa joins on one track as well. By evoking that standard, the trumpeter immediately aligns the album with the history and tradition of that great musical city. Moreover, by shortening the title to simply state What It Means, Skonberg turns the shortened title into a broader statement and call to her audience to recognize that which is important to each person. “I am affirming ‘what it means’ to me,” she says. “I care about family, I care about getting to make music that brings joy with other people, from a place that reveres its roots, and that looks forward to brighter days.”

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Long Beach Jazz Festival

This festival, celebrating its 35th anniversary, will be held August 9-11 at the Marina Green Park on the waterfront of Long Beach, CA. Among the headliners are several artists who have sailed with us over the years on The Smooth Jazz Cruise, including Jeffrey Osborne, Gerald Albright, Jonathan Butler, Kirk Whalum, Keiko Matsui and Jeff Lorber & Everette Harp.

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Jazz Cruises’ ’25 Programs

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1-Day Tickets to STL Jazz Fest
Are Now On Sale!

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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].