Blue Note at Sea '18 Continues to Expand its Offerings, with Twice the Amount of Music and Activities

Blue Note at Sea '18 now Features Twice the Amount of Music and Activities As Last Year’s Cruise Plus, 2 Can Sail for the Price of 1 on Veranda Staterooms and Inside Staterooms Are Now Only $700 per Person

Plus, Two Can Sail for the Price of One on Veranda Staterooms

and

Inside Staterooms Are

Now Only $700 per Person

Blue Note at Sea '18, which will sail from January 27 to February 3, 2018, continues to add to its initial slate of artists and activities to create a truly one of a kind experience for its guests, unlike anything that might be experienced at a single land-locked concert or festival. The second-year sailing of the cruise now will offer over 100 of hours of live music by over 75 musicians, including two Tony Award winners, the recipients of more than 50 Grammy winners, and 4 NEA Jazz Masters.

The NEA Jazz Masters, all of whom are sailing on Blue Note at Sea for the first time, are among the most celebrated jazz artists of our time: 22-time Grammy winner and NEA Jazz Master Chick Corea, NEA Jazz Master Charles Lloyd, triple Grammy-winner and Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Dr. Lonnie Smith.

In addition to these and the other acclaimed artists who signed on earlier this year to perform, eight additional artists have been added to the roster including Kendrick Scott, Eric Marienthal, Jose James, Aaron Parks, Tom Kennedy, Harold Lopez-Nussa and Damion Reid.

“The lineup for Blue Note at Sea is extraordinary,” says Entertainment Cruise Productions President Michael Lazaroff. “It is truly a ship of headliners.” Although the chance to see as many remarkable artists in as many musical configurations is certainly unparalleled, Blue Note at Sea is also offering an expanded array of activities throughout the seven-day cruise.

Blue Note at Sea '18 will again be hosted by multi-Grammy winning bassist Marcus Miller. Other returning Grammy-winning artists are Robert Glasper, Lalah Hathaway and David Sanborn. While Glasper and Sanborn will perform in the same configurations as they did on Blue Note at Sea's inaugural sailing, five-time Grammy winner Hathaway will bring her own band on board this time out. The three bands together feature 11 top jazz musicians, all of whom will be performing in other configurations and groups during the cruise.

Multi-Grammy winning pianist Robert Glasper will also be appearing with the incredible sextet of young visionary musicians, The Blue Note All Stars.

As well as performing, Lalah Hathaway will serve as late night DJ, spinning tunes in the Blue Note Records Upbeat Lounge.  Guests will also be able to experience a rare sit-down between Blue Note Records President Don Was and Chick Corea, attend an up-close conversation with Robert Glasper, attend four amazing late-night shows hosted by David Sanborn, catch an exceptional live set from the Blue Note All Stars – whose recently released debut album, Our Point of View, was cited by NPR as “a collective manifesto and a portrait of contemporary jazz -  and spend a full evening with Charles Lloyd and the Marvels.

With double the number of performances and activities as were featured on the 2017 inaugural cruise, Blue Note at Sea has just announced a special “double offer.” With every booking of a Veranda Stateroom, two guests can sail for the price of one. Or you can book an Inside Stateroom at $700 per person. But don’t wait long, cabins are booking fast!

Featuring the most highly respected and renowned contemporary jazz performers in the world, Blue Note at Sea is a collaboration among Blue Note Jazz Clubs, Blue Note Records, and Entertainment Cruise Productions. From stunning main shows to their signature Night Music events to Late, Late Night shows and jam sessions, Blue Note at Sea defines what is new and hip in the world of jazz while also retaining and respecting those aspects of the genre that have made jazz one of the true enduring musical styles around the world.

Blue Note at Sea will sail on Celebrity Summit from January 27 – February 3, 2018, departing from Ft. Lauderdale, with ports of call in Labadee (Haiti), Ocho Rios, Nassau and Coco Cay (Bahamas).  For more information about the cruise program and the specials being offered, go to www.bluenoteatsea.com.

About Entertainment Cruise Productions, LLC:

Entertainment Cruise Productions is the world leader in live entertainment at sea. Since 2001, Entertainment Cruise Productions, through its various programs, has produced more than 70 full ship charters, such as Playboy Jazz Cruise, The Elvis Cruise, North Sea Jazz Cruise, Celtic Thunder Cruise, NASCAR The Cruise, and The Gospel Music Cruise. Sailing in 2018 along with Blue Note at Sea are The Smooth Jazz Cruise, The Jazz Cruise, The 80s Cruise and Star Trek: The Cruise.

Entertainment Cruise Productions is dedicated to providing the finest music and entertainment cruise experience in the world.

CHICK COREA AND CHARLES LLOYD LEAD AWARD-WINNING LINE-UP FOR 2018 SAILING OF BLUE NOTE AT SEA

CHICK COREA AND CHARLES LLOYD LEAD AWARD-WINNING LINE-UP FOR 2018 SAILING OF BLUE NOTE AT SEA

Leslie Odom, Jr. (Hamilton) Also Joins the Line-up of Grammy and Tony Award Winning Artists and NEA Jazz Masters

2017 marked the initial sailing of Blue Note at Sea, a nautical musical collaboration between Blue Note Records, Blue Note Jazz Clubs and Entertainment Cruise Productions.  Don Was, president of Blue Note Records and a three time Grammy winning producer has called this three-way production team "the dream team of jazz at sea."  With his expertise and direction, the production and programming savvy offered by Steven Bensusan and his team at Blue Note Jazz Clubs and the 17 years of jazz cruises produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, Was' description seems apt.

The 2018 cruise roster is nearly finalized and includes winners of 48 Grammys and 2 Tony Awards.  The cruise also features 4 NEA Jazz Masters (the highest award in jazz), all of whom are sailing on Blue Note at Sea for the first time.


These four illustrious performers are among the most celebrated jazz artists of our time: 22-time Grammy winner and NEA Jazz Master Chick Corea, NEA Jazz Master Charles Lloyd, triple Grammy-winner and Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Dr. Lonnie Smith.

Legendary saxophonist (and Blue Note recording artist) Charles Lloyd will join the cruise in St. Thomas with his band The Marvels - Bill Frisell, Greg Leisz, Reuben Rogers and Eric Harland. Bridgewater, who, in addition to her three Grammys, has earned a Tony award, will be backed by her own band as well. Smith, a Hammond B-3 guru, has been featured on over seventy albums, and has recorded and performed with a virtual "Who's Who" of the greatest jazz, blues and R&B giants in the industry. Both Bridgewater and Smith will be joining the ranks of NEA Jazz Masters in 2017.

Bridgewater is not the only Tony Award-winner who will be performing for audiences on the Celebrity Summit next February. Leslie Odom, Jr., best known for his role as Aaron Burr in the Broadway smash hit Hamilton, for which he took home both a Tony (for Best Actor in a Musical) and a Grammy (for Best Musical Theater Album), is set to bring his jazz chops to the forefront when he performs with his band on the cruise. The New York Times describes Odom's style as "tender jazz vocals with flashes of adult-contemporary R&B."

Blue Note at Sea '18 will again be hosted by multi-Grammy winning bassist Marcus Miller. Other Grammy-winning artists who will be returning are Robert Glasper, Lalah Hathaway and David Sanborn. While Glasper and Sanborn will perform in the same configurations as they did on Blue Note at Sea's inaugural sailing, five time Grammy winner Hathaway will bring her own band on board this time out.  The three bands feature 11 top jazz musicians, all of whom will be performing in other configurations and groups during the cruise.

The multi-Grammy winning pianist Robert Glasper will also be appearing with the Blue Note All Stars, an incredible sextet of young visionaries who first formed in 2014 to celebrate Blue Note's 75th Anniversary. The band features Glasper along with his label-mates Ambrose Akinmusire, Lionel Loueke, Marcus Strickland, Derrick Hodge and Kendrick Scott.

Both Don Was and Steven Bensusan will also participate on the cruise. Was will emcee several events and will interview many of the performers, as he did on the 2017 sailing.  Bensusan will host the Blue Note Jazz Club at Sea, a gorgeous late night venue that offers cabaret style seating in the tradition of his many Blue Note Jazz Clubs.

Featuring the most highly respected and renowned contemporary jazz performers in the world, Blue Note at Sea is a collaboration among Blue Note Jazz Clubs, Blue Note Records, and Entertainment Cruise Productions.  From stunning main shows to their signature Night Music events to Late, Late Night shows and jam sessions, Blue Note at Sea defines what is new and hip in the world of jazz while also retaining and respecting those aspects of the genre that have made jazz one of the true enduring musical styles around the world. 

Blue Note at Sea will sail on Celebrity Summit from February 3 - 10, 2018, departing from Ft. Lauderdale, with ports of call in San Juan, St. Thomas, Coco Cay (Bahamas) and Labadee (Haiti).  For more information about the cruise program, go to www.bluenoteatsea.com.

About Entertainment Cruise Productions, LLC

Entertainment Cruise Productions is the world leader in live entertainment at sea. Since 2001, Entertainment Cruise Productions, through its various programs, has produced more than 70 full ship charters, such as Playboy Jazz Cruise, The Elvis Cruise, North Sea Jazz Cruise, Celtic Thunder Cruise, NASCAR The Cruise, and The Gospel Music Cruise. Sailing in 2018 along with The Jazz Cruise are The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Blue Note at Sea, The 80s Cruise and Star Trek: The Cruise. 

Entertainment Cruise Productions is dedicated to providing the finest music and entertainment cruise experience in the world.

BLUE NOTE RECORDS, BLUE NOTE JAZZ CLUB & ENTERTAINMENT CRUISE PRODUCTIONS ENTER INTO A FIVE YEAR PARTNERSHIP DEAL REBRANDING THE CONTEMPORARY JAZZ CRUISE

BLUE NOTE RECORDS, 

BLUE NOTE JAZZ CLUB

& 

ENTERTAINMENT CRUISE PRODUCTIONS ENTER INTO A FIVE YEAR PARTNERSHIP DEAL FOR THE CONTEMPORARY JAZZ CRUISE

Newest Cruise Outing, Which Features Six Blue Note Artists,Will Be Re-branded as 

Blue Note at Sea

As the excitement continues to build around Entertainment Cruise Productions' inaugural sailing of The Contemporary Jazz Cruise, Don Was of Blue Note Records and Steven Bensusan of Blue Note Jazz Club today announced a five year partnership with ECP for that cruise.  The partnership will result in a re-branding of the cruise as Blue Note at Sea.

With six Blue Note artists among those performing on the cruise, it's interesting to note that the meeting that led to Entertainment Cruise Productions' partnership with Blue Note actually had its origins not on Entertainment Cruise Productions' The Jazz Cruise (the first and only full ship charter in the world dedicated to "straight ahead" jazz, which is celebrating its 16th consecutive year of operations in 2017) but on another of the company's charters, The 80s Cruise, on which Blue Note President Don Was performed with his band Was (Not Was).  Later the discussions were expanded to include the world famous Blue Note Jazz Clubs led by Steven Bensusan.

"This partnership between Blue Note Records, Blue Note Jazz Club, and Entertainment Cruise Productions launches a musically historic undertaking! Over the last 4 decades, our friends at the Blue Note clubs have become synonymous with integrity and quality in the presentation of live jazz - it's an honor to launch a cooperative venture involving our two companies," said Was. "And, having sailed with Entertainment Cruise Productions as both a performer and a passenger, I can tell you first-hand that they run the greatest musical expeditions on the high seas. Blue Note at Sea will be The Mother of all Jazz Cruises....I'll dig you there!"

"Entertainment Cruise Productions is excited and honored to be associated with Blue Note Records and Blue Note Jazz Club, two of the truly iconic brands in the world of jazz," notes Michael Lazaroff, President and Owner of Entertainment Cruise Productions. "That we will be renaming The Contemporary Jazz Cruise to be Blue Note at Sea is both fitting and fabulous in that the identity of this cruise is now crystal clear to jazz fans throughout the world. Being able to work with Don Was, on a personal basis, may be one of the most rewarding episodes in my 17 year career as a cruise producer.  And I look forward, finally after years of trying, to work with Steve Bensusan of Blue Note Jazz Club, a true giant in this industry."

"Our customers around the world consistently inquire about premium jazz-centric travel opportunities, specifically cruises. To that end, we're proud to partner with Michael Lazaroff's ECP team along with our good friend Don Was and Blue Note Records on this historic cruise offering," says Steven Bensusan, President of Blue Note Entertainment Group. "This is a dynamic partnership that uniquely fuses ECP's extensive cruise operating experience and Blue Note Records iconic roster with our global customer base and track record in the live entertainment space."

The current Blue Note artists booked for Blue Note at Sea are Marcus Miller (the cruise's Musical Director,) Terence Blanchard, the Robert Glasper Trio and Gregory Porter, along with Blue Note alumni Dianne Reeves and Chucho Valdes. They are part of a roster of the 34 exceptional artists, who collectively have earned over 50 Grammy® Awards among them, performing on the cruise.

Blue Note at Sea will sail from February 4 through February 11, 2017, departing from Fort Lauderdale, FL and traveling to the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, The Dominican Republic, and Haiti on The Celebrity Summit. The Celebrity Summit features a sleek rooftop terrace, Canyon Ranch Spa, world class dining, and elegant cabin design. Fares begin at $2400 per person and include tickets to all concerts, all gourmet meals, special events throughout the voyage, and all port charges.  

For more information or to book a cabin, visit www.bluenoteatsea.com or call 888-852-9987.

About Entertainment Cruise Productions, LLC:

Entertainment Cruise Productions is the world's leader in full ship charter music cruises. Beginning more than a decade ago, Entertainment Cruise Productions, through its various programs, has produced more than 50 full ship charters featuring music themes as diverse as Rock 'n Roll, Elvis, R&B, Pop, Gospel and Jazz, as well as the upcoming 2017 Star Trek: The Cruise. Entertainment Cruise Productions' formula for success remains constant among its various programs. Entertainment Cruise Productions is dedicated to providing the finest music and entertainment cruise experience in the world.

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