In this roundtable discussion taped on Blue Note at Sea '19, six of the pianists performing on the cruise – Gerald Clayton, Sullivan Fortner, Ashley Henry, Stu Mindeman, Takeshi Ohbayashi and Brett Williams – sat down with Mark Ruffin of Sirius XM to talk about their entry into playing music, their influences and their creative process. They also discuss how they approach playing with singers and what they'd tell their children about pursuing a life in music. This episode is sponsored by Blue Note Records. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

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• Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts. The back catalog contains more than a hundred interviews from past sailings.
• Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Afrodeezia on Blue Note.

This interesting 1:1 session was moderated by our comedian-in-residence Alonzo Bodden who interviewed his friend and fellow host for both the Smooth Jazz Cruise and Blue Note at Sea – Marcus Miller. The bassist and bandleader talked with Alonzo about the real chronology of his life, including EXACTLY how old he was when he started playing with Miles Davis. And about how his pork-pie hat became his professional, but not personal, look.  And so much more. This episode is sponsored by the Blue Note. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

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• Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts. The back catalog contains more than a hundred interviews from past sailings.
• Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Afrodeezia on Blue Note.

In this taping of Shelly Berg's Sirius/XM show "Generation Next," Shelly sat down with two rising stars in jazz: vocalist Veronica Swift and pianist Emmet Cohen, both of whom he taught at the University of Miami. In this conversation recorded on The Jazz Cruise '19, they talk about and play cuts from their latest albums and also perform an impromptu tune with Shelly. This episode is sponsored by Birdland Jazz. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

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• Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts. The back catalog contains more than a hundred interviews from past sailings.
• Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Afrodeezia on Blue Note.

This panel from Blue Note at Sea '19 features four vocalists who performed on the cruise: Cecile McLorin Salvant, Jose James, Kevin Whalum and Kathy Kosins, who share stories about their very different experiences in the jazz and music world.  This episode is sponsored by the Monterey Jazz Festival. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

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• Listen to more episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts. The back catalog contains more than a hundred interviews from past sailings.
• Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Afrodeezia on Blue Note.

Candy Dulfer moderated this conversation with Lalah Hathaway, Lindsey Webster, Nadira Kimberly Scruggs and Honey LaRochelle about a range of topics, including how they got into music and jazz, as well as about their advice for young women entering the music business. They also addressed the issue of women being stereotyped as vocalists rather than instrumentalists in the world of jazz. Plus, they talked about a topic rarely discussed at any other panel. This episode is sponsored by the Detroit Jazz Festival. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

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 a hundred interviews from past sailings.
• Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Afrodeezia on Blue Note.

Vocalist Mary Stallings sat down with author and radio host Dick Golden to talk about her storied career, including her early experiences touring with Count Basie, performing with Dizzy Gillespie and hanging with Billy Eckstine. Stallings, who celebrated her 80th birthday this week, had a long hiatus from full-time singing while she raised her daughter, but has been releasing acclaimed albums since 1990. This episode is sponsored by Sirius/XM. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

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 a hundred interviews from past sailings.
• Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Afrodeezia on Blue Note.

Six keyboardists from Blue Note at Sea '19 sat down with Robert Glasper to talk about their beginnings, influences and current direction.  You get to hear from Geoffrey Keezer, Sullivan Fortner, Terrace Martin, Taylor McFerrin, Lawrence Fields and Kandace Springs. Plus, Robert who sits in as part of the all keyboard "band" on this one. This episode is sponsored by the Detroit Jazz Festival. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

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 a hundred interviews from past sailings.
• Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Afrodeezia on Blue Note.

A remarkable roundtable discussion with five stellar guitarists who performed on the Smooth Jazz Cruise in 2019: Lee Ritenour, Raul Midon, Jonathan Butler, Nick Colionne and Steve Oliver.  Marcus Miller moderated this fascinating conversation about the instrument and the music. Plus, the five jam and create at least one tune on the spot together, prodded by Marcus of course.  This episode is sponsored by Jazz House Kids and the Montclair Jazz Festival. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

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 a hundred interviews from past sailings.
• Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Afrodeezia on Blue Note.

In this taping of Shelly Berg's Sirius/XM show "Generation Next" in front of a live audience during the Jazz Cruise '19, Shelly sat down with piano phenom Joey Alexander for a fascination conversation that includes some live performances by Joey and closes with a duet by the two. In between, they discuss Joey's unusual journey to jazz stardom before he's able to legally drive. This episode is sponsored by SFJAZZ. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

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 a hundred interviews from past sailings.
• Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Afrodeezia on Blue Note.

In this roundtable discussion from Blue Note at Sea '19, Marcus Miller talks with fellow bassists Vicente Archer, Luques Curtis, Derrick Hodge and David Mrakpor. The five musicians talk about the unique qualities of bassists, as well as the special role of the bassist in the band. They also recommend their favorite rhythm sections in jazz and music. This episode is sponsored by San Jose Jazz. The Jazz Cruise Conversations podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in music-themed cruises.

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 a hundred interviews from past sailings.
• Theme Music: Provided by Marcus Miller from his song "High Life" on his album Afrodeezia on Blue Note.