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

Luques Curtis

Luques Curtis is a globally respected bassist, composer, and educator, known for his authority across modern jazz and Afro-Caribbean traditions. A Hartford, CT native, he received training at the Greater Hartford Academy of Performing Arts and the Artist Collective, later studying at Berklee College of Music.

Based in NYC, Curtis maintains an active international performance schedule, collaborating with icons like Eddie Palmieri and Stefon Harris. He co-leads the Curtis Brothers, whose five recordings include Algorithm.

Curtis's discography boasts over 100 commercial recordings and significant GRAMMY® recognition: He earned the 2025 GRAMMY® for Best Latin Jazz Recording for Cubop Lives, and contributed to Brian Lynch’s GRAMMY®-winning Simpatico. He also has contributions on two other GRAMMY®-nominated albums and produced another GRAMMY®-nominated project, underscoring his influence as one of the leading bassists of his generation.

Guest appearance on:

Bass Talk with Marcus Miller