Jazz Cruises Conversations

Jazz Cruises Conversations invites you to escape to the high seas for the most intimate and candid conversations in music. Go beyond the stage for full-length interviews with the biggest names in jazz and smooth jazz, recorded live on the world's premier floating music festivals.

Guided by veteran host Lee Mergner (and other musicians, comedians, and on-board talent), hear legends open up about their careers, creative process, and lives on the road, all recorded exclusively on sailings of The Jazz Cruise, Blue Note at Sea, Botti at Sea, and The Smooth Jazz Cruise. Mergner and his crew’s knowledgeable perspectives ensure these aren't just chats—they are engaging, entertaining, and truly informative deep dives into the music.

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Signature Cruise Experiences is the Gold Standard for Charter Theme Cruises since 2001. In that time, we have produced over 100 full ship theme charters, most of which featured a significant music theme and top performers.

Our goal has been to present the very best musicians possible and do so with authenticity and professionalism. Our music venues are the best at sea and our sound production is Performing Art Center quality. Nothing but the best for our talent which translates to the very best for our guests.

Guest

Derrick Hodge

Derrick Hodge is a two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning composer, producer, and bassist, recognized as one of his generation’s most complete musicians.

He is celebrated for breaking new ground, being the first Black composer to write strings for Hip Hop at Carnegie Hall (for Mos Def) and the first to write symphonic Hip Hop for the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center (for Nas' Illmatic 20th anniversary).

Hodge was the bassist/Musical Director for pioneers like Jill Scott, Common, and Maxwell. He has played in influential groups like R+R=Now and the Robert Glasper Experiment. As a Blue Note Recording Artist, his solo projects include Live Today, The Second, and Color Of Noize. He is also a Sundance Composer Fellow and a leading advocate for emerging young musicians.

Guest appearance on:

Bass Talk with Marcus Miller