They say that nearly 70% of all holiday gifts are purchased this weekend. My wife and I are part of that group, as we spend the weekend making our list, checking twice and purchasing gifts for both the naughty and the nice. Most of our world is comprised of very nice people, but there are always a few who are not so nice, but circumstances necessitate a gift anyway.
In those instances, I try to give the Passive/Aggressive holiday gift. Something that looks like a nice gift on the surface, but, in reality, is difficult to maintain, assemble or requires the purchase of several other items to be implemented. I would elaborate, but that would spoil the surprise for several folks reading this note.
I do know how busy you are at this time of the year. Between completing Thanksgiving and preparing for the upcoming holidays and New Year celebrations, you probably have very little time for shopping. No worries. Below is the 1st Annual Signature Jazz Cruises Holiday Gift Guide, complete with links for ordering!
SIGNATURE JAZZ CRUISES HOLIDAY GIFT LIST
JAZZ PLAYER RUG
This 100% Polypropylene rug is meant to resemble the spines of famous jazz albums. With three sizes to choose from, you can make the rug an accent piece or cover an area 8’ x 5’. One of these babies will soon be part of the décor for our office
ARTHURT GETZ’ NEW YORKER COVER –
THE RHYTHM SECTION
The New Yorker has presented several jazz related covers over the years. The Rhythm Section is my favorite. You can choose from several sizes, various frame types and matting. Or you can simply order the print of your choice and complete the process on your own.
JAZZ MAKERS WALL ART –
ERIC WAUGH
I enjoy modern art. My home is replete with such pieces. Some are prints. Some are paintings. Some are metal pieces. One was created by Miles Davis. The only connection among the items is that we like them very much.
bove is a stretched canvas square that comes in six sizes and can be displayed on various types of floating frames.
JAZZ LIFE –
WILLIAM CLAXTON
I own this book. I bought it thinking, worst case, it would be an awesome coffee table book. It is, but it is also an amazing collection of words and photos which brings life and perspective to our world of jazz.
When All Else Fails
Obviously, the gifts mentioned above are a small sample of great gifts for jazz lovers. Having received over 20 pairs of jazz socks over the years, that, too, can work. Sue Berk gave me two pairs at dinner in St. Louis several months ago, the last time I had the joy of seeing Lee.
Tickets to a live jazz show is always a great gift or stocking stuffer. You will make everyone happy!
But, if you are looking for something a bit more substantial, I hear that you can reserve a stateroom on cruises that present “jazz” morning, afternoon and night. If you are interested in that type of gift, call me first. I know a guy!
Good luck with your gift hunting. Be kind to all.
By Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Chris Botti at Sea, Christian McBride’s World at Sea and Journey of Jazz. Feel free to express your views or pose questions to him at [email protected]
Berk’s Jazz Fest Lineup Announced
John Ernesto and our friends at Berks Jazz Fest have just announced the lineup for their festival held April 1-13, 2025 in Reading, PA. Headliners include Lalah Hathaway, Stanley Clarke, Kurt Elling, Cory Wong, Matthew Whitaker, Raul Midon, Jeff Kashiwa with Four80East, Brian Culbertson, Gerald Albright, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Victor Wooten & The Wooten Brothers and Gerald Veasley. Our own Marcus Miller and Eric Marienthal will reprise their roles as music directors for a special David Sanborn Tribute that will feature Kirk Whalum, Eric Darius, Mindi Abair, Arlington Jones, Nate Phillips, Jay Williams, Kevin Turner, Munyungo Jackson and Alice Soyer Sanborn.
Billy Childs at Athenaeum Jazz
Pianist Billy Childs, who has sailed with us on The Jazz Cruise, will perform a special concert as part of the Athenaeum Jazz series in San Diego, CA. Billy will be joined by Matthew Stubbs on clarinet, Dan Chmielinski on bass and Benjamin Ring on drums.
Signature Jazz Cruises’ Programs
The Jazz Cruise ’26 – LINEUP JUST ANNOUNCED
Hailed as “Jazz Heaven” by musicians and guests alike, The Jazz Cruise ’26 lineup will feature some of the most iconic musicians from the straight-ahead jazz genre. See the full lineup here.
Guests sailing on The Jazz Cruise ’25 may reserve their current stateroom for the ’26 sailing now through Jan. 31, 2025. New guests and those not sailing in ‘25 may join the Pre-Sail now.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 & 26.2 – Reserve Your Stateroom Today!
Both sailings for 2025 are fully reserved and the Waitlist has more than 4,000 entrants.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.1 & ‘26.2 are in Open Booking (anyone may reserve any available stateroom) and are over 75% reserved.
The Smooth Jazz Cruise ‘26.3 is Here – New West Coast Sailing!
The third sailing of The Smooth Jazz Cruise in ’26 has been announced! For the first time in many years, The Smooth Jazz Cruise will sail on the West Coast, embarking in Vancouver, sailing to Victoria and San Francisco before disembarking in Los Angeles. Exciting land excursions will be available in the ports-of-call! Open Booking begins on November 7th!
Botti at Sea ’25 FULLY RESERVED! Botti at Sea ’26 JUST ANNOUNCED!
Sailing from Los Angeles to Vancouver, with calls on San Francisco and Victoria, BC, Botti at Sea III (’26) is moving to the West Coast in September ’26! The website for the cruise will be available later this year and the amazing lineup will be announced just before Botti at Sea II (’25) sails next February! Join the Pre-Sail today!
Christian McBride’s World at Sea – LINEUP JUST ANNOUNCED
9X GRAMMY® winner Christian McBride will host our newest Signature Jazz Cruises’ program, Christian McBride’s World at Sea! The cruise will feature legions of musicians who comprise the various ensembles that are the hallmarks of Christian’s music world AND first class comedy talent. See the full lineup here!
Establish your priority for reserving a stateroom NOW by joining the Pre-Sail.
Journey of Jazz ’25 – Excursions Available to Book Now!
Hosts Marcus Miller & Gregory Porter will take you on an incredible musical journey onboard Journey of Jazz. This West Coast cruise is currently in Open Booking, meaning anyone may reserve any available stateroom. Land-based excursions are now available to book! Check out Jazz Cruises’ curated trips to Wine Country, Special Shows and more HERE.
Mug Shots of the Week
Pamela – Connecticut
Deanna – Tucson
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].