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Artwork for Jazz Cruises Conversations

Jazz Cruises Conversations

Lee Mergner
Jazz
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Woodshed Network
Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
Big Band
Niki Haris
Paris
Thad Jones

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 th... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes116Founded7 years ago
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MusicMusic InterviewsMusic Commentary

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Artwork for Jazz Cruises Conversations

Latest Episodes

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 both i... more

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 somethi... more

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 artist Brinae Ali to explore Dizzy’s ... more

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 flavor... more

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Recent Guests

Emmet Cohen
Jazz pianist and host of Emmet's Place; collaborator on Masters Legacy series
Musician
Episode: Emmet Cohen & Benny Benack III: The Future of Jazz, Community, and Inspiring Others
Benny Benack III
Trumpet player and interviewer in this episode
Musician
Episode: Emmet Cohen & Benny Benack III: The Future of Jazz, Community, and Inspiring Others
Wycliffe Gordon
Renowned trombonist and educator
Episode: Sean Jones Interviews Wycliffe Gordon: JLCO, Teaching Jazz, and the Trombone's Sell
Niki Haris
Singer and performer featured on Lift Thine Eyes, featured guest on the episode
Episode: Lift Thine Eyes: Niki Haris on Cyndi Lauper, Family, and "Optimistic"
John Clayton
Jazz bassist, composer, bandleader; co-leader of Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
Episode: Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra: 40 Years of Big Band "Gravy" & Serving the Music
Jeff Hamilton
Drummer and co-leader of Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
Episode: Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra: 40 Years of Big Band "Gravy" & Serving the Music
Sullivan Fortner
Pianist</br>Prominent figure in contemporary jazz, known for storytelling and stride influences
Jazz musician
Episode: Sullivan Fortner: Storytelling, Stride Piano, and Lessons from Ellis Marsalis
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Celebrated jazz vocalist with a career spanning five decades
Independent artist / Performer
Episode: Dee Dee Bridgewater: Storytelling, Legacy, and Mentoring Women in Jazz
Alonzo Bodden
Comedian and actor, guest on the Jazz Cruise conversation
Episode: Marcus Miller & Alonzo Bodden: Bass Lines, Punchlines, and Bombing

Host

Lee Mergner
Host focusing on intimate conversations with jazz icons and industry figures; frequent host on cruise-ship music events and related projects

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra: 40 Years of Big Band "Gravy" & Serving the Music
Q: How do you decide what tune to play for a gig and how much input do players have?
We choose music based on what we feel and want to play, not just audience requests. The band discusses and trusts the leaders, while individual players contribute ideas and space for input when it serves the music.
Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra: 40 Years of Big Band "Gravy" & Serving the Music
Q: How do you keep a big band together for 40 years?
By delegating responsibilities, leveraging strong personal networks, and writing music that suits the individual personalities of the players, not just their instruments, which keeps the group creatively engaged.
Emmet Cohen & Benny Benack III: The Future of Jazz, Community, and Inspiring Others
Q: Can you summarize the journey from the first Jazz Cruise to becoming the sole host next year?
The journey involved growing from student gigs and intimate poolside jams to orchestrating complex festival grids, coordinating with mentors, collaborating with masters, and ultimately stepping into a leadership role to continue expanding the tradition and opportunities for the next generation of jazz musicians.
Emmet Cohen & Benny Benack III: The Future of Jazz, Community, and Inspiring Others
Q: Did you ever imagine Emmet's Place would become five years in and lead to you hosting the Jazz Cruise next year?
It evolved organically from a makeshift apartment setup during the early pandemic era into a globally recognized platform, driven by a community that values live music, collaboration, and mentorship; the success was less about a plan and more about seizing opportunities as they emerged.
Sullivan Fortner: Storytelling, Stride Piano, and Lessons from Ellis Marsalis
Q: How did your NYC education shape your sound?
He explains moving from New Orleans to New York, studying with Jason Moran and Fred Hersch, and embracing a broader spectrum of piano styles beyond traditional stride, which opened up new possibilities for his solo and ensemble work.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Jazz Cruises Conversations

What is Jazz Cruises Conversations about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A high-seas interview series that centers candid, long-form conversations with acclaimed jazz musicians, educators, and performers. Episodes frequently explore career trajectories, collaboration across generations, and the ecosystems that sustain jazz culture—from mentorship and education to DIY strategies that emerged during the live-stream era. The format blends personal storytelling, behind-the-scenes anecdotes from touring and cruise-ship performances, and practical insights on leadership, ensemble dynamics, and creativity in constrained venues. Notable throughlines include nurturing younger artists, building collaborative communities, and sustaining artistic vitality in a touring, shipboard context. The show often features leaders and ... more

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How many listeners does Jazz Cruises Conversations get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Jazz Cruises Conversations?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Jazz Cruises Conversations:

1. You'll Hear It: Full Album Deep Dives with Jazz Musicians
2. ECM Records Podcast
3. The Questlove Show
4. Wong Notes
5. In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

How many episodes of Jazz Cruises Conversations are there?

Jazz Cruises Conversations launched 7 years ago and published 116 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Jazz Cruises Conversations?

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What guests have appeared on Jazz Cruises Conversations?

Recent guests on Jazz Cruises Conversations include:

1. Emmet Cohen
2. Benny Benack III
3. Wycliffe Gordon
4. Niki Haris
5. John Clayton
6. Jeff Hamilton
7. Sullivan Fortner
8. Dee Dee Bridgewater

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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