JAZZ CRUISES LLC FEATURES LEGENDARY AND CONTEMPORARY JAZZ STARS FOR EIGHTH ANNUAL SAILING OF ‘THE JAZZ CRUISE’
NOVEMBER 9-16, 2008
Includes Performances By
Regina Carter, Nnenna Freelon, Tom Scott, Tierney Sutton And
The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
‘The Jazz Cruise,’ the only full ship charter cruise in the world dedicated to the diverse and exciting artistry of straight ahead jazz, will set sail the week of November 9th through the 16th, 2008 for its eighth annual voyage aboard Holland America’s luxurious MS Westerdam. Produced by Jazz Cruises, LLC, ‘The Jazz Cruise’ departs from Fort Lauderdale, Florida for four spectacular Western Caribbean ports: Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Belize.
With multiple performances scheduled every evening and during afternoons at sea, passengers will experience the finest “straight ahead” jazz entertainment in the world from many of today’s most acclaimed traditional and contemporary jazz artists.
This year’s lineup includes The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, the famed Grammy nominated L.A. based ensemble that has backed Diana Krall, Rosemary Clooney and John Pizzarelli. Joining them on the cruise are vocal great Andy Bey; the classically trained Regina Carter, considered one of the finest violinists in contemporary jazz; and five-time Grammy nominated vocalist Nnenna Freelon.
Other artists appearing on The Jazz Cruise are Wycliffe Gordon, well known jazz trombonist; hard bop jazz pianist Benny Green; The Heath Brothers, a hard bop jazz group. Other top names on The Jazz Cruise are popular swing jazz clarinetist Ken Peplowski; hard bop, swing and soul jazz tenor saxophonist Houston Person; The Tom Scott Quintet, featuring the legendary bebop, funk and fusion saxophonist with notable jazz pianist and arranger Shelly Berg; dynamic jazz pianist Johnny O’Neal and vocalist Tierney Sutton, a Grammy nominated singer of jazz standards and originals.
With nearly 100 jazz musicians and vocalists on the ship, fans will not only be treated to numerous performances in a variety of theatre and club settings, but
will also have the rare opportunity to attend various “behind the instruments” sessions where they can get acquainted with the participating artists in an intimate club-like atmosphere.
“The Jazz Cruise is defined, first and foremost, by its music,” says cruise founder Anita Berry, who launched The Jazz Cruise in 2001. “Every year we have brought our guests the finest musicians, vocalists and performers in the world of straight ahead jazz. This has inspired The Jazz Cruise Hall of Fame, a living tribute to those who have made The Jazz Cruise what it is today. Other than the time we are in port, virtually every hour is filled with music and related activities. Like jazz, the mood is laid back, with no tickets, no lining up for seats and no identification cards. Musical ‘grazing’ is encouraged and some evenings there is music in four or five venues at a time. Our guests can also meet the musicians behind the instruments during our popular ‘Conversation with the Stars.’ These onboard panel discussions in groups of ten offer everyone special insights into the jazz world.”
Jazz Cruises LLC is the foremost producer of full ship charter music cruises in the world, specializing in luxury jazz cruises. Currently, it produces three annual events besides The Jazz Cruise: Dave Koz And Friends At Sea and The Smooth Jazz Cruise, hosted by Wayman Tisdale; and, beginning in January 2009, the first ever Playboy Jazz Cruise, which culminates the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Playboy Jazz Festival. Hosted by Grammy winning artist and bass player Marcus Miller, The Playboy Jazz Cruise will feature special guest Herbie Hancock, 2008 Grammy Award winner for Album of The Year, along with a stellar roster of today’s top jazz talents.
As is the case with all of Jazz Cruises LLC’s programs, The Jazz Cruise also offers passengers a totally first class experience from accommodations and amenities to food and service, (as well as the exclusive opportunity to personally meet and mingle with the artists throughout the week), completely unique from the standard fare typically offered on other ships.
“For years I was involved in the jazz cruises produced by Norwegian Cruise Lines,” says Ms. Berry. “In 1999, when I was told that they were discontinuing the program, I was heartbroken, for those cruises meant so much to so many people. I took the plunge, chartered a ship, convinced the wonderful musicians to have faith in what we were doing and it all turned out wonderfully for everyone. Now that we have four cruises, it is a real business, but we never stray from our total desire to make sure that we get the music right and that all of our guests have the very best cruise possible. Everything that we do is for the guests.”
For cruise reservations and further information for the The Jazz Cruise, please call 800.762.6737 or see the following website at
www.thejazzcruise.com.
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