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PODCAST

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

music music interviews

All Episodes

01:02:56

#68: Bria Skonberg with Jennifer Wharton

Jazz Cruises Conversations ·

2021/04/06

In a recent conversation streamed online, bass trombonist Jennifer Wharton interviewed trumpeter and singer Bria Skonberg about her life in music. The two discussed everything from choosing the right mutes to balancing the professional demands of playing music with the personal demands of family life.

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01:12:40

#67: Niki Haris with Ann Hampton Callaway

Jazz Cruises Conversations ·

2021/03/28

This singer-on-singer chat was streamed live at part of Jazz Cruise Conversations Live series on social media. Niki Haris talked with fellow vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway about her colorful and unique career from singing and touring with Madonna to performing jazz at festivals and venues all over the world. Niki also talks about growing up as the daughter of legendary jazz pianist Gene Harris. And the two share memories of their time together on The Jazz Cruise.

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01:07:39

#66: Paquito D'Rivera with Ken Peplowski

Jazz Cruises Conversations ·

2021/02/02

Paquito D’Rivera spoke with fellow clarinetist (and saxophonist) Ken Peplowski in this chat that was streamed live on Facebook and YouTube. The two voluble favorites of The Jazz Cruise talk clarinet of course, but they also discuss Paquito growing up in Cuba, his introduction to music and jazz, his affinity for Brazilian music and his long musical relationship with trumpeter Claudio Roditit, who passed away recently.

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01:20:01

#65: Christian McBride with Alonzo Bodden

Jazz Cruises Conversations ·

2021/01/20

Bassist/bandleader/composer/radio host/educator/artistic director Christian McBride talks with comedian Alonzo Bodden about social issues, sports, comedy, jazz and of course, the bass. We also surprise Christian with some special guests who show up about 45 minutes in and who kept the conversation going for another half hour.

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01:04:22

#64: Nicki Parrott with John Clayton

Jazz Cruises Conversations ·

2021/01/12

The multi-faceted bassist AND singer Nicki Parrott talks with fellow bassist John Clayton about growing up in Australia and about how and why she took up the bass. The two share their memories of Ray Brown, a mentor to John and a big influence on Nicki. They also discuss their common appreciation for cooking and Nicki shares a short clip from her well-produced web series Chez Nicki Jams, in which she shares a favorite recipe and performs a short number while the dish cooks.

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01:07:32

#63: Wycliffe Gordon with Eulis Cathey

Jazz Cruises Conversations ·

2021/01/05

The virtuoso trombonist Wycliffe Gordon talks with Sirius XM radio host Eulis Cathey about his long and storied career, which began in Augusta, Georgia. Wycliffe explains the impact of playing music in the church there in Augusta. He also discusses his introduction to jazz, as well as the far-reaching influence of his mentor, Wynton Marsalis.

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01:07:00

#62: Terell Stafford with Eulis Cathey

Jazz Cruises Conversations ·

2020/12/29

Noted trumpeter and educator Terell Stafford talks with Sirius XM radio host Eulis Cathey about his background as a classical musicians and how he made the transition to become an accomplished and influential jazz musician. Terell talks about some of his mentors and also about what he tries to teach his students in his role as head of the music department (including classical and jazz) at Temple University.

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01:05:22

#61: Ann Hampton Callaway with Kurt Elling

Jazz Cruises Conversations ·

2020/12/22

Ann Hampton Callaway talks with fellow singer and songwriter Kurt Elling about growing up in Chicago and she shares insight into her creative process for choosing and writing songs. The two talk about the legacy of Freddy Cole whom they both got to know well during sailings of The Jazz Cruise over the years. Ann even performs a song in memory of their old friend Freddy.

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01:08:49

#60: Jeff Hamilton with Ken Peplowski

Jazz Cruises Conversations ·

2020/12/15

Jazz drum great Jeff Hamilton talks with his longtime friend and colleague Ken Peplowski about his life's journey in music, including how he got started on drums, his work with legends like Ray Brown and Oscar Peterson, and leading his own groups, such as his two trios and the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.

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59:22

#59: Joey DeFrancesco with Alonzo Bodden

Jazz Cruises Conversations ·

2020/12/08

In this edition of Jazz Cruise Conversations Live, the noted organist (and multi-instrumentalist) Joey DeFrancesco talks with comedian Alonzo Bodden about his lifelong love of the Hammond B-3, as well as about how he was "discovered" by Miles Davis with whom he would play when he was a teenager.

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01:10:00

#58: Randy Brecker & Ada Rovatti with Eric Marienthal

Jazz Cruises Conversations ·

2020/11/10

Legendary trumpeter Randy Brecker and saxophonist Ada Rovatti talked with their friend and colleague Eric Marienthal about how they've balance their marriage and their music. They also discuss the legacy of the Brecker Brothers and how they've strived to keep that music alive.

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01:03:48

#57: John Pizzarelli with Ken Peplowski

Jazz Cruises Conversations ·

2020/09/04

Guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli sits down in a virtual chat online with his friend Ken Peplowski to talk about the legacy of John's father, Bucky Pizzarelli, the session guitarist, jazz player and bigger than life personality.

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53:58

#56: John Clayton with Alonzo Bodden

Jazz Cruises Conversations ·

2020/08/28

This conversation with the noted bassist/arranger/bandleader John Clayton was streamed live to thousands of jazz fans. Comedian Alonzo Bodden handled the moderator duties and talked with John about the impact of various mentors in his life, including Ray Brown, Count Basie and Monty Alexander. John also explained what it's like to lead and conduct a big band or orchestra.

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59:46

#55: Kurt Elling with Shelly Berg

Jazz Cruises Conversations ·

2020/08/21

Jazz vocal great Kurt Elling sits down for a virtual chat and play with pianist Shelly Berg and they discuss Kurt’s most recent recording, playing with the Branford Marsalis Quartet, moving back to his hometown Chicago and their mutual appreciation for Al Jarreau.

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01:05:08

#54: Mindi Abair with Eric Marienthal

Jazz Cruises Conversations ·

2020/08/18

This conversation with saxophonists Mindi Abair and Eric Marienthal took place online last week. Eric, who is the music director for The Smooth Jazz Cruise, interviewed Mindi about her unique and remarkable career—from studying at Berklee to playing in the band on “American Idol” to touring with Aerosmith and to her own successful run as a recording artist and bandleader.

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01:09:58

#53: Remembering Oscar Peterson with Kelly Peterson &...

Jazz Cruises Conversations ·

2020/08/11

Oscar Peterson's widow and the executor of his estate Kelly Peterson is joined by pianist Benny Green and radio host Dick Golden for a discussion of Peterson's legacy in jazz history. The conversation was recorded on The Jazz Cruise '20 during which Green performed with his trio. This episode is sponsored by SiriusXM's Real Jazz channel.

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01:04:58

#52: Melody Gardot with Mark Ruffin

Jazz Cruises Conversations ·

2020/08/04

The singer and songwriter Melody Gardot talks with Mark Ruffin from SiriusXM about growing up in the Philadelphia music scene, about her long recovery from a nearly fatal bike accident and how living in Paris has inspired her personally and creatively. This episode is sponsored by the Monterey Jazz Festival.

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48:02

#51: Catherine Russell with Eulis Cathey

Jazz Cruises Conversations ·

2020/07/28

The noted jazz and pop vocalist Catherine Russell talks with Eulis Cathey from SiriusXM about her evolution as a singer in this conversation from The Jazz Cruise ’20. Catherine has had a unique double career both as an accomplished backing singer for pop stars and as a leader of her own performing jazz at clubs, theaters and festivals all over the world. This episode is sponsored by SiriusXM’s Real Jazz channel.

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01:04:24

#50: David Sanborn with Alonzo Bodden

Jazz Cruises Conversations ·

2020/07/21

In this interview from Blue Note at Sea ’20, saxophonist David Sanborn talks with our comedian-in-residence Alonzo Bodden about his life and music – from his childhood growing up in St. Louis to his time as the first-call sax soloist on pop records to his career playing his unique brand of soul jazz. He even shares his feelings about the term Smooth Jazz. This episode is sponsored by Berks Jazz Fest.

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53:25

#49: Joey DeFrancesco with Mark Ruffin

Jazz Cruises Conversations ·

2020/07/14

Organist and bandleader Joey DeFrancesco talks with SiriusXM host Mark Ruffin in an interview from Blue Note at Sea '20. DeFrancesco talks about growing up in Philadelphia, how he met and worked with Miles Davis and his lifelong love affair with jazz organ. This podcast is produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions.

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116 results

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