Jazz Cruises Conversations

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

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 cle

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

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 a

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 immens

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

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 Peterson This episode of Jazz Cruises Conversations, hosted by Lee M

Marcus Miller & Ravi Coltrane: Dual Legacy, Finding Your Voice in Jazz

Ravi Coltrane with Marcus Miller Marcus Miller interviews Ravi Coltrane about his musical evolution and the dual legacy of his parents, Alice and John Coltrane. This ins

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

Sean Jones Interviews Wycliffe Gordon: JLCO, Teaching Jazz, and the Trombone's Sell

Show Notes: 107: Wycliffe Gordon with Sean Jones This episode of Jazz Cruises Conversations, recorded live on the recent Journey of Jazz cruise, features trumpeter and e

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 sce

Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra: 40 Years of Big Band "Gravy" & Serving the Music

Show Notes: 105: John Clayton & Jeff Hamilton with Marcus Miller This episode of Jazz Cruises Conversations, recorded live on the Journey of Jazz '25 cruise, featur

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

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 s

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 fr

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-w

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

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 M

#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

#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 the Cool, S