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

Lawrence Fields

Lawrence Fields is a jazz pianist at the forefront of his generation, celebrated for his dynamic blend of vintage ideals and a contemporary mindset. Born in St. Louis, he has been consistently ranked near the top of the "Rising Stars" critics poll for keyboardists by Downbeat Magazine.

Fields is a highly sought-after collaborator and is a key member of several bands led by veteran saxophone icon Joe Lovano, including his Classic Quartet and the Sound Prints quintet with Dave Douglas. His playing in Sound Prints was praised by The Wall Street Journal as "elegant, probing," and the band's album Scandal was named the #1 jazz album of 2018 by The Guardian. Fields is also integral to the Christian Scott Group, contributing as a pianist, keyboardist, co-writer, and co-producer on multiple GRAMMY®-nominated albums. He released his debut album, To the Surface, in 2024 to critical acclaim.

Guest appearance on:

Keyboardists Talk with Robert Glasper