We needed a Winter Getaway with our favorite music. This is perfect.
My Brother , Craig, his wife Bridget, and I are taking our mom, Evelyn, 89 years young,
to sea!
Departure is Saturday , Jan 27th, from Ft Lauderdale, FL..... The ship is the Celebrity Summit. To see a total list of all the bands playing for us, simply google the Jazz Cruise, get the right departure date, and you'll see the list.
Boarding the ship was a bit complicated, as everybody came at about the same time. But after boarding and surviving the safety drill, we started to unwind.
Saturday evening was the first "All Star" show in a huge theater. We sat right by the bar ( smart) and got a preview of coming attractions. Then a nice dinner in the main restaurant.
After dinner, we found the Rendezvous Lounge... a venue that seats about 200 people, and listened to a lovely French vocalist names Cyrill Aimee, and her band. She was great, and she was followed by the Jeff Hamilton Trio. He's the drummer, Tamir Hendelman is the pianist, and Christoph Luty is on bass. they were fabulous... absolutely top notch. Great arrangements of every song. Cant wait to see them again.
Sunday we docked at Key West, which is usually a lovely tropical place, but that day there was a storm. Rain, wind, chilly. We went to town for a very short tour
and Ev and I made a beeline back to the ship and dryness. Craig and Bridget braved it and found the Key Lime Pie shop. They brought some back and it was Fabulous!!!!
Afternoon found us resting up from all the travel, and Sunday evening, I went to
see Clint Holmes and his band in the Revelations room. Its a big venue on the bow of the ship at the very top. He is GREAT! Also saw part of Eliane Elias, a Brazilian pianist and singer, and her band. Wow! Oh, and The singer Clint Holmes and his great band up in "Revelations" lounge..... After Clint, I Had dinner in the Cosmopolitan Restaurant with my good friends Fred and Sabrina, who are fellow cruisers.
Monday was spa day...... but first a documentary film on the life and music of Harold Arlen. And another few songs by Cyrill Aimee. The 4 of us had a quick lunch together , and then I went up to the Spa ( by Canyon Ranch) for a session with the wellness guys on the link between Detoxing, wellness and weight loss. Right up my alley!
I'm going to get a body analysis by them tomorrow to learn more about my metabolism. Should be interesting. Then at 3pm was the Zumba class with
great Latin music and a super instructor from Romania. What a workout!
Dinner is in the restaurant , Blu, which is connected to the Spa. Should be yummy and clean. Is that an oxymoron? I don't think so.......
Over the course of the week, we saw loads of shows, enjoyed the warm weather, the pools,
the many restaurants on board, and most of all each others company.
We were absolutely spoiled by all the great music. I've already Mentioned a few, but also, Wycliff Gordon, Marcus Miller, The Clayton Brothers, Niki Harris, Ken Peplowski,
Shelly Berg, and a vocal close harmony group called Take 6.
On the last afternoon , there was a "Passenger Jam Session" on the stage by the pool.
Sabrina and I signed up to sing with the players who shared their talents with the crowd.
WE both got to do a tune, and Fred played piano for us. Fred's friend and fellow band leader, Paul Broadax was also on the cruise and it was great to see him!
We were sad to see it all end. I flew back to Philly with Mom ..... then on home. To Winter.
My Brother , Craig, his wife Bridget, and I are taking our mom, Evelyn, 89 years young,
to sea!
Departure is Saturday , Jan 27th, from Ft Lauderdale, FL..... The ship is the Celebrity Summit. To see a total list of all the bands playing for us, simply google the Jazz Cruise, get the right departure date, and you'll see the list.
Boarding the ship was a bit complicated, as everybody came at about the same time. But after boarding and surviving the safety drill, we started to unwind.
Saturday evening was the first "All Star" show in a huge theater. We sat right by the bar ( smart) and got a preview of coming attractions. Then a nice dinner in the main restaurant.
 |
| Opening night concert was a showcase of bands to come. In this photo, Eliane Elias is at the piano. We had to take photos with our iPhones as we didn't have Ray with us. |
After dinner, we found the Rendezvous Lounge... a venue that seats about 200 people, and listened to a lovely French vocalist names Cyrill Aimee, and her band. She was great, and she was followed by the Jeff Hamilton Trio. He's the drummer, Tamir Hendelman is the pianist, and Christoph Luty is on bass. they were fabulous... absolutely top notch. Great arrangements of every song. Cant wait to see them again.
Sunday we docked at Key West, which is usually a lovely tropical place, but that day there was a storm. Rain, wind, chilly. We went to town for a very short tour
and Ev and I made a beeline back to the ship and dryness. Craig and Bridget braved it and found the Key Lime Pie shop. They brought some back and it was Fabulous!!!!
 |
| Enjoying the "Beautiful" weather on Key West....and sampling local specialities, Conch fritters and stew. |
Afternoon found us resting up from all the travel, and Sunday evening, I went to
see Clint Holmes and his band in the Revelations room. Its a big venue on the bow of the ship at the very top. He is GREAT! Also saw part of Eliane Elias, a Brazilian pianist and singer, and her band. Wow! Oh, and The singer Clint Holmes and his great band up in "Revelations" lounge..... After Clint, I Had dinner in the Cosmopolitan Restaurant with my good friends Fred and Sabrina, who are fellow cruisers.
Monday was spa day...... but first a documentary film on the life and music of Harold Arlen. And another few songs by Cyrill Aimee. The 4 of us had a quick lunch together , and then I went up to the Spa ( by Canyon Ranch) for a session with the wellness guys on the link between Detoxing, wellness and weight loss. Right up my alley!
I'm going to get a body analysis by them tomorrow to learn more about my metabolism. Should be interesting. Then at 3pm was the Zumba class with
great Latin music and a super instructor from Romania. What a workout!
Dinner is in the restaurant , Blu, which is connected to the Spa. Should be yummy and clean. Is that an oxymoron? I don't think so.......
 |
| Craig and Evelyn enjoying a quiet moment |
 |
| Cyrille Aimee and her band in the Rendezvous lounge. I bought two of her CDs. |
 |
| Evelyn and I at a show. I don't see the family resemblance, do you ? |
the many restaurants on board, and most of all each others company.
We were absolutely spoiled by all the great music. I've already Mentioned a few, but also, Wycliff Gordon, Marcus Miller, The Clayton Brothers, Niki Harris, Ken Peplowski,
Shelly Berg, and a vocal close harmony group called Take 6.
 |
| Take 6 in the Celebrity Theater |
 |
| The final night's concert. |
On the last afternoon , there was a "Passenger Jam Session" on the stage by the pool.
Sabrina and I signed up to sing with the players who shared their talents with the crowd.
WE both got to do a tune, and Fred played piano for us. Fred's friend and fellow band leader, Paul Broadax was also on the cruise and it was great to see him!
We were sad to see it all end. I flew back to Philly with Mom ..... then on home. To Winter.
