Jazz Cruises Conversations

Paquito D'Rivera spoke with fellow clarinetist (and saxophonist) Ken Peplowski in this chat that was streamed live on Facebook and YouTube. The two voluble favorites of The Jazz Cruise talk clarinet of course, but they also discuss Paquito growing up in Cuba, his introduction to music and jazz, his affinity for Brazilian music and his long musical relationship with trumpeter Claudio Roditit,...

Bassist/bandleader/composer/radio host/educator/artistic director Christian McBride talks with comedian Alonzo Bodden about social issues, sports, comedy, jazz and of course, the bass.  We also surprise Christian with some special guests who show up about 45 minutes in and who kept the conversation going for another half hour.   Send us Fan Mail Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversation...

The multi-faceted bassist AND singer Nicki Parrott talks with fellow bassist John Clayton about growing up in Australia and about how and why she took up the bass.  The two share their memories of Ray Brown, a mentor to John and a big influence on Nicki. They also discuss their common appreciation for cooking and Nicki shares a short clip from her well-produced web series Chez Nicki Jams, in which...

The virtuoso trombonist Wycliffe Gordon talks with Sirius XM radio host Eulis Cathey about his long and storied career, which began in Augusta, Georgia.  Wycliffe explains the impact of playing music in the church there in Augusta.  He also discusses his introduction to jazz, as well as the far-reaching influence of his mentor, Wynton Marsalis. Send us Fan Mail Listen to more episodes of Jazz Crui...

Noted trumpeter and educator Terell Stafford talks with Sirius XM radio host Eulis Cathey about his background as a classical musicians and how he made the transition to become an accomplished and influential jazz musician. Terell talks about some of his mentors and also about what he tries to teach his students in his role as head of the music department (including classical and jazz) at Temple U...

Ann Hampton Callaway talks with fellow singer and songwriter Kurt Elling about growing up in Chicago and she shares insight into her creative process for choosing and writing songs.  The two talk about the legacy of Freddy Cole whom they both got to know well during sailings of The Jazz Cruise over the years. Ann even performs a song in memory of their old friend Freddy. Send us Fan Mail Listen to...

Jazz drum great Jeff Hamilton talks with his longtime friend and colleague Ken Peplowski about his life's journey in music, including how he got started on drums, his work with legends like Ray Brown and Oscar Peterson, and leading his own groups, such as his two trios and the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. Send us Fan Mail Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify, i...

In this edition of Jazz Cruise Conversations Live, the noted organist (and multi-instrumentalist) Joey DeFrancesco talks with comedian Alonzo Bodden about his lifelong love of the Hammond B-3, as well as about how he was "discovered" by Miles Davis with whom he would play when he was a teenager.  Send us Fan Mail Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify, iTunes, o...

Legendary trumpeter Randy Brecker and saxophonist Ada Rovatti talked with their friend and colleague Eric Marienthal about how they've balance their marriage and their music. They also discuss the legacy of the Brecker Brothers and how they've strived to keep that music alive.  Send us Fan Mail Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you get...

Guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli sits down in a virtual chat online with his friend Ken Peplowski to talk about the legacy of John's father, Bucky Pizzarelli, the session guitarist, jazz player and bigger than life personality.  Send us Fan Mail Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts. The back catalog contains more than...

This conversation with the noted bassist/arranger/bandleader John Clayton was streamed live to thousands of jazz fans. Comedian Alonzo Bodden handled the moderator duties and talked with John about the impact of various mentors in his life, including Ray Brown, Count Basie and Monty Alexander. John also explained what it's like to lead and conduct a big band or orchestra.  Send us Fan Mail Li...

Jazz vocal great Kurt Elling sits down for a virtual chat and play with pianist Shelly Berg and they discuss Kurt's most recent recording, playing with the Branford Marsalis Quartet, moving back to his hometown Chicago and their mutual appreciation for Al Jarreau. Send us Fan Mail Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts. The...

This conversation with saxophonists Mindi Abair and Eric Marienthal took place online last week. Eric, who is the music director for The Smooth Jazz Cruise, interviewed Mindi about her unique and remarkable career—from studying at Berklee to playing in the band on "American Idol" to touring with Aerosmith and to her own successful run as a recording artist and bandleader. Send us Fan Mai...

Oscar Peterson's widow and the executor of his estate Kelly Peterson is joined by pianist Benny Green and radio host Dick Golden for a discussion of Peterson's legacy in jazz history. The conversation was recorded on The Jazz Cruise '20 during which Green performed with his trio. This episode is sponsored by SiriusXM's Real Jazz channel. Send us Fan Mail Listen to more episodes...

The singer and songwriter Melody Gardot talks with Mark Ruffin from SiriusXM about growing up in the Philadelphia music scene, about her long recovery from a nearly fatal bike accident and how living in Paris has inspired her personally and creatively. This episode is sponsored by the Monterey Jazz Festival. Send us Fan Mail Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify, iTunes,...

The noted jazz and pop vocalist Catherine Russell talks with Eulis Cathey from SiriusXM about her evolution as a singer in this conversation from The Jazz Cruise '20. Catherine has had a unique double career both as an accomplished backing singer for pop stars and as a leader of her own performing jazz at clubs, theaters and festivals all over the world. This episode is sponsored by SiriusXM&...

In this interview from Blue Note at Sea '20, saxophonist David Sanborn talks with our comedian-in-residence Alonzo Bodden about his life and music – from his childhood growing up in St. Louis to his time as the first-call sax soloist on pop records to his career playing his unique brand of soul jazz.  He even shares his feelings about the term Smooth Jazz. This episode is sponsored by Berks J...

Organist and bandleader Joey DeFrancesco talks with SiriusXM host Mark Ruffin in an interview from Blue Note at Sea '20. DeFrancesco talks about growing up in Philadelphia, how he met and worked with Miles Davis and his lifelong love affair with jazz organ. This podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions. Send us Fan Mail Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on S...

The legendary pianist Ramsey Lewis turned 85 last week, and although he had retired from touring, he did make the trip to Ft. Lauderdale to sail and perform on The Smooth Jazz Cruise in 2020. Ramsey sat down with bassist and cruise host Marcus Miller to talk about his storied career, from his early years recording jazz hits with his trio to his later years as a radio and TV broadcaster. This episo...

Two of Dave Brubeck's sons, Chris and Dan, sat down with Sirius XM host Eulis Cathey during The Jazz Cruise in 2020 to discuss their father's legacy in jazz and American culture.  Chris and Dan lead the Brubeck Brothers Quartet who performed on the cruise. This year marks the centennial of Dave Brubeck's birth. This episode is sponsored by SiriusXM. The podcast is produced by Entert...

In this freewheeling conversation Alonzo Bodden, comedian-in-residence for The Smooth Jazz Cruise, interviews his friend, the bassist and bandleader Marcus Miller about everything from what instruments he plays to how he almost replaced Jaco Pastorius in Weather Report. This episode is sponsored by the Blue Note Jazz Clubs. The podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions.  Send us Fan...

In this conversation from The Jazz Cruise in 2021, organist Joey DeFrancesco interviews his friend and bandmate—the legendary jazz drummer Billy Hart—about his long and illustrious career. Billy talks about growing up in Washington, DC and the influence of some of the elder jazz drummers. Naturally, they had to talk about Billy's stint with the legendary organist Jimmy Smith. Billy is truly a...

In this conversation from Blue Note at Sea '20, Kamasi Washington talks with fellow saxophonist David Sanborn about growing up in South Central LA and how the jazz and music community there shaped him as an artist. Kamasi also discusses the influence of his father, saxophonist Ricky Washington, who still plays with his son today. This episode is sponsored by SiriusXM. The podcast is produced...

In a conversation recorded during The Smooth Jazz Cruise in 2020, the guitarist Peter White talks with fellow musician, trumpeter Rick Braun, about his early years playing with the singer-songwriter Al Stewart and how that experience changed his life and career.  Peter explains how he found his own voice on his instrument and why that was so important. He also plays a little and takes question fro...

The Cuban jazz trumpeter, pianist and sometime vocalist Arturo Sandoval talks with pianist and The Jazz Cruise music director Shelly Berg about his work composing music for films, his affinity for beautiful melodies and the dearth of jazz on television. The two play a few songs together as well. This episode is sponsored by SiriusXM. The podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions. Sen...