March 19, 2019
For the 4th consecutive season, Blue Note Records and Blue Note Jazz Clubs are collaborating with Entertainment Cruise Productions to bring many of the world’s most renowned contemporary jazz musicians together for Blue Note at Sea 2020, a weeklong luxury cruise that sails through the Caribbean from January 25 through February 1, 2020. Produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the world leader in jazz cruises, Blue Note at Sea is hosted by three of the most accomplished artists in the music industry: Marcus Miller, Robert Glasper and Don Was. The cruise will feature performances by over 75 top-flight musicians, including Kamasi Washington, Christian McBride, Gregory Porter, David Sanborn, Melody Gardot, Kirk Whalum, Cory Henry, Cyrille Aimée, Emmet Cohen, Joey DeFrancesco, and, of course, Miller and Glasper, plus special appearances by comedian Alonzo Bodden, a regular on NPR’s “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” show. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal serves as the music director for the cruise.
Blue Note at Sea departs from Miami to Labadee, La Romana (Dominican Republic) and St. Thomas (all ports subject to change) aboard the elegant Celebrity Infinity. Performances take place at six venues on the ship, including the Celebrity Theater which is turned into a world-class concert hall for the week. All the venues feature the highest quality of production and sound. In addition to multiple concerts by the headliners in the Celebrity Theater, there will be numerous performances by the artists throughout the ship in a variety of collaborative configurations, many never seen anywhere else. Shows and events start as early as noon and go on until the wee hours, when guests can enjoy late-night jam sessions or DJ sets.
“The idea behind this cruise was to bring outstanding musicians regardless of their ‘label’ and have seven days of great, great music,” says Marcus Miller. “We have done that and more.” Music Director Eric Marienthal offers his perspective on what makes Blue Note at Sea special: “On the cruise, musicians and fans have the unique opportunity of getting to know each other both on and off the bandstand. That’s the magic of Blue Note at Sea.”
Blue Note at Sea is a highly immersive experience designed to satisfy any avid music fan. Because the ship is chartered by Entertainment Cruise Productions, the programming is totally dedicated to the music. Guests can watch live interviews, experience meet-and-greet opportunities and participate in a wide range of special events with the artists—from wine tasting to “Cigars Under the Stars” to Martini Hour, and even a pick-up basketball game organized by Glasper. It all adds up to quite a hang. “I just had fun the entire time…the fans were great…my fellow musicians were great…we laughed for seven days,” offers Glasper.
This is the fourth sailing for this cruise and is the product of an unprecedented partnership between three major players in the jazz community: The Blue Note Jazz Clubs, Blue Note Records and Entertainment Cruise Productions. “It is a magical seven-day jazz experience that you wish would never end,” says Don Was, President of Blue Note Records. “The production quality and sheer volume of activity and music is what strikes me,” adds Steven Bensusan, President of Blue Note Jazz Clubs. “It is very impressive.”
Blue Note at Sea is an official sponsor or supporter of several jazz events and programs, including Sirius/XM, Monterey Jazz Festival, SFJazz, Vail Jazz, Berks Jazz Festival (Reading, PA), Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and KJAZZ. Entertainment Cruise Productions also produces The Jazz Cruise which immediately follows Blue Note at Sea on February 1-8, 2020, on the same ship, as well as two weeks of The Smooth Jazz Cruise (January 18-25, 2020, and March 14-21, 2020). Hundreds of jazz fans sail back-to-back on the jazz cruises to experience the wide range of styles that the music offers. “For nearly 20 years, Entertainment Cruise Productions has been the world leader in presenting jazz at sea. Our commitment to the music extends way beyond that,” says Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director – Jazz of Entertainment Cruise Productions. “We are a proud member of the jazz community.” Highlights from the 2019 Blue Note at Sea Cruise can be viewed here.
Fares begin at $2,025 per person and include all concerts, gourmet meals, special events throughout the voyage, and all port charges, taxes and gratuities. For more information or to book a cabin, visit www.bluenoteatsea.com or call 844-768-5157.
