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.
Episodes
116 episodes
Brass, Voice & Vision: Bria Skonberg & Benny Benack III in Conversation
Bria Skonberg has a confession: she's releasing two albums this year, one all-trumpet and one all-vocal, partly because she still hasn't figured out how to make the two coexist. "I'm always trying to find or write material that highlights them ...
Jeff Hamilton & John Pizzarelli: Tales From the Road
No moderator required. John Pizzarelli and Jeff Hamilton have been friends since 1984, and it shows — in the stories they finish for each other, the ones they've clearly been waiting to tell, and the ones that arrive sideways in the middle of s...
Beyond the Cheeks: Sean Jones & Brinae Ali Revisit the Genius of Gillespie
Recorded live on the Journey of Jazz cruise, this episode of Jazz Cruises Conversations features an in-depth discussion on the legendary Dizzy Gillespie. Host Lee Mergner is joined by trumpeter Sean Jones and tap a...
Bria Skonberg's Reset: From Pandemic to NYC Hot Jazz Camp Director
Lee Mergner hosted a Listening Party with Bria Skonberg who played tracks from her recent album, "What It Means," and then talked about the making of the recording. The album blends many different influences, but it has a decidedly New Orleans ...
Dan & Chris Brubeck: The Maestro, Milhaud & "The Real Ambassadors"
Host Lee Mergner interviews brothers Chris and Dan Brubeck during the sailing of The Jazz Cruise '25, where they provide a deep, intimate look at the life and immense legacy of their father, jazz legend Dave Brubeck. The conversation spa...
Marcus Miller & Gregory Porter: The Real, Fazioli Pianos, and Creative Process Secrets
This episode of Jazz Cruises Conversations features an interview by Michael Lazaroff with Journey of Jazz '25 co-hosts Marcus Miller and Gregory Porter. The session evolved into a candid conversation where the three shared...
Oscar Peterson's Poem to Ella: A Look at Their Deep, Loving Friendship - w/Cecile McLorin Salvant, Sullivan Fortner & Kelly Peterson
110: Remembering Ella Fitzgerald & Oscar Peterson w/Cecile McLorin Salvant, Sullivan Fortner & Kelly PetersonThis episode of Jazz Cruises Conversations, hosted by Lee Mergner, is drawn from a "Jazz on Film"...
Marcus Miller & Ravi Coltrane: Dual Legacy, Finding Your Voice in Jazz
Ravi Coltrane with Marcus MillerMarcus Miller interviews Ravi Coltrane about his musical evolution and the dual legacy of his parents, Alice and John Coltrane. This insightful and candid talk, recor...
Emmet Cohen & Benny Benack III: The Future of Jazz, Community, and Inspiring Others
Pianist Emmet Cohen sits down with his longtime friend, trumpeter and singer Benny Benack III, for a conversation recorded during the recent Journey of Jazz cruise. This interview tracks Cohen's journey from a college student to b...
Sean Jones Interviews Wycliffe Gordon: JLCO, Teaching Jazz, and the Trombone's Sell
Show Notes: 107: Wycliffe Gordon with Sean JonesThis episode of Jazz Cruises Conversations, recorded live on the recent Journey of Jazz cruise, features trumpeter and educator Sean Jones interviewing fellow brassma...
Lift Thine Eyes: Niki Haris on Cyndi Lauper, Family, and "Optimistic"
This episode features a moving and candid listening party session with vocalist Niki Haris, recorded live during the Journey of Jazz cruise. Host Lee Mergner sets the scene as Niki plays and discusses several tracks from her deeply per...
Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra: 40 Years of Big Band "Gravy" & Serving the Music
Show Notes: 105: John Clayton & Jeff Hamilton with Marcus MillerThis episode of Jazz Cruises Conversations, recorded live on the Journey of Jazz '25 cruise, features an interview conducted by co-host Marcus Miller with John ...
Sullivan Fortner: Storytelling, Stride Piano, and Lessons from Ellis Marsalis
This episode captures a coffee talk session from the recent Journey of Jazz Cruise, where host Lee Mergner interviews the great pianist Sullivan Fortner ("Sully"). Since Fortner does not enjoy talking about himself, the int...
Dee Dee Bridgewater: Storytelling, Legacy, and Mentoring Women in Jazz
This week's episode, recorded during the Journey of Jazz Cruise on the West Coast, features Dee Dee Bridgewater in conversation with co-host Marcus Miller, sharing stories from her remarkable five-decade career. The interview explores he...
Marcus Miller & Alonzo Bodden: Bass Lines, Punchlines, and Bombing
A Revealing Give-and-Take Between Friends Recorded live during the inaugural Journey of Jazz cruise, this episode features a unique "double interview" between longtime friends and colleagues Alonzo Bodden and Marcus Miller, with Alonzo asking M...
Christian McBride with Dan Wilson: From Church Pews to the Jazz Vanguard
A Masterclass in Church Roots and Jazz Virtuosity Recorded live during The Jazz Cruise, this episode features a soulful and humorous interview between eight-time Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride and his friend and protégé, guitarist Dan...
John Pizzarelli & Catherine Russell: Tales of Les Paul, Bucky & Fistfights
A Centennial Celebration of Jazz Stories In this milestone 100th episode of Jazz Cruises Conversations, recorded live on The Jazz Cruise '25, legendary guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli sits down with his longtime friend and colla...
Eric Marienthal w/ James Morrison: Why You Should Play, Never Practice
This conversation was recorded during The Jazz Cruise '24 and features an interview with world-renowned multi-instrumentalist James Morrison by Music Director Eric Marienthal. In this episode, Morrison discusses his unique ...
#98: Mindi Abair with Talaya
This conversation with saxophonist Mindi Abair, hosted by Talaya of "Watercolors" on SiriusXM, was recorded on the second week of The Smooth Jazz Cruise earlier this year. The two talked about Mindi's storied career and her interests off the b...
#97: Randy Brecker on Miles Davis (with Lee Mergner)
In this conversation recorded during Botti at Sea '24, as part of the Jazz on Film series hosted by Lee Mergner, we showed a bit of Miles Davis: Birth of ...
#96: Jazzmeia Horn & Cyrille Aimee with Catherine Russell
This conversation was recorded on The Jazz Cruise earlier this year and it featured a talk with Jazzmeia Horn and Cyrille Aimee, moderated by fellow vocalist ...
#95: Rick Braun, Richard Elliot & Peter White with Talaya
This conversation with three of our artists was recorded on the first sailing of The Smooth Jazz Cruise earlier this year. It features a talk with Rick Braun,...
#94: Jose James on Bill Withers (with Lee Mergner)
As part of the Jazz on Film series on Botti at Sea '24, host Lee Mergner showed a bit of the documentary "Still Bill" about Bill Withers. Jose James, who paid tribute to Bill with his album "Lean on Me," then talked with Lee about the great si...
