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

Michael Cuscuna

Michael Cuscuna (1948–2024) was a singular figure in jazz, renowned as the leading reissue producer, a Grammy-winning historian, journalist, and co-founder of a major reissue label. He was also a producer of new jazz, R&B, and rock recordings. His impact is measured by over 2,600 albums bearing his credit, including three GRAMMY® Awards—two for Best Historical Album and one for Best Album Notes.

Cuscuna was fiercely devoted to musicians and their music, possessing a wealth of information from arduous research. He singlehandedly kept the Blue Note label on life support and was critical in balancing artistic and commercial priorities in recorded music. Though steeped in jazz tradition, he was not a purist, citing the Mizell Brothers and Ronnie Laws’ "Always There" among his favorites. His legacy is defined by his tireless work to keep great jazz music available for audiences.

Guest appearance on:

Michael Cuscuna & Don Was with Mark Ruffin