Smooth Jazz Cruise 26.3

Cruise Director for Signature Cruise Experiences

Collin Clauson started playing piano at an early age and later learned how to play the clarinet, saxophone and guitar. Collin is an in-demand piano player who regularly works both in the Chicago area and all over the country. Collin has previously performed on The Smooth Jazz Cru... Read More →

Currently the touring guitarist with smooth jazz elites Richard Elliot, Rick Braun, Boney James and Euge Groove, and performing as a solo artist, Gerey Johnson has been on the contemporary jazz scene for years as a musician, songwriter, producer and record company executive. Alon... Read More →

Lamar Jones was born to be a musician. A native of Chicago and coming from a musical family, he is a versatile bassist who has performed with a variety of musical groups during his 25 year career. Being a well-rounded musician, Lamar has played various genres spanning from smooth jazz, rock, gos... Read More →

Omari Williams began playing the drums at a young age, like many musicians, in the church, then the jazz band, marching band and was performing professionally by age 17.Boney James is his main gig, but Omari has also played with Ruben Studdard, Rick Braun, Jonathan Butler and and the finest musicians... Read More →

Musicians, guests and our staff all agree: The Smooth Jazz Cruise Event Host must be Talaya. For more than four decades, Talaya has shared her love of music on the radio and can currently be heard on SiriusXM Watercolors. With various achievements and awards, Talaya’s love of jazz has been a driving force in her career. Her greatest moments have included interviewing... Read More →

To borrow from a classic quote about the late, great James Brown, DW3 is today’s hardest-working band in soul business, working fans into a dance and romance frenzy with their R&B, old school funk, jazz and Latin-fired magic. Since 2003, brothers Eric and Billy Mondragon and Da... Read More →

Arlington Jones began his piano studies in classical music but added jazz while in college. He went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree from Southwest Texas State University in music, composition, arranging, performance, theory and jazz studies... Read More →

After starting to play the drums at the tender age of 3 alongside his dad, it wasn't long before Jay Williams took interest in exploring other styles of music and his interest grew to appreciate styles like jazz, rock, R&B, Latin and country. Jay's passion, hard work and dedication, along with his experience, eventually led to him professionally working with numerous mainstream artists. His... Read More →

Born and raised in Ohio, Kevin Turner was trained as a jazz guitarist but spent an equal amount of time playing in the pop genre.Besides being a performer, Kevin is a writer, producer and educator. He has owned a private recording studio for nearly 15 years. Kevin co-wrote (with his wife Cynthia Turner) and produced... Read More →

Nate Phillips has been a member of The Smooth Jazz Cruise for nearly two decades, one of the longest reigns of almost anyone. Nate’s musical history includes sessions and tours with many artists who perform on our cruises, concreting his supporting role within The Smooth Jazz C... Read More →

Collin Clauson started playing piano at an early age and later learned how to play the clarinet, saxophone and guitar. Collin is an in-demand piano player who regularly works both in the Chicago area and all over the country. Collin has previously performed on The Smooth Jazz Cru... Read More →

Currently the touring guitarist with smooth jazz elites Richard Elliot, Rick Braun, Boney James and Euge Groove, and performing as a solo artist, Gerey Johnson has been on the contemporary jazz scene for years as a musician, songwriter, producer and record company executive. Alon... Read More →

Lamar Jones was born to be a musician. A native of Chicago and coming from a musical family, he is a versatile bassist who has performed with a variety of musical groups during his 25 year career. Being a well-rounded musician, Lamar has played various genres spanning from smooth jazz, rock, gos... Read More →

Ms. Monét is a singer-songwriter, arranger and actor from the Bay Area of California. She has a five-octave vocal range and performs in many genres, including R&B, rock, jazz, gospel and classical. Ms. Monét has toured the world for over 30 years and has performed as a background vocalist... Read More →

Omari Williams began playing the drums at a young age, like many musicians, in the church, then the jazz band, marching band and was performing professionally by age 17.Boney James is his main gig, but Omari has also played with Ruben Studdard, Rick Braun, Jonathan Butler and and the finest musicians... Read More →

Arlington Jones began his piano studies in classical music but added jazz while in college. He went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree from Southwest Texas State University in music, composition, arranging, performance, theory and jazz studies... Read More →

After starting to play the drums at the tender age of 3 alongside his dad, it wasn't long before Jay Williams took interest in exploring other styles of music and his interest grew to appreciate styles like jazz, rock, R&B, Latin and country. Jay's passion, hard work and dedication, along with his experience, eventually led to him professionally working with numerous mainstream artists. His... Read More →

Born and raised in Ohio, Kevin Turner was trained as a jazz guitarist but spent an equal amount of time playing in the pop genre.Besides being a performer, Kevin is a writer, producer and educator. He has owned a private recording studio for nearly 15 years. Kevin co-wrote (with his wife Cynthia Turner) and produced... Read More →

Saxophonist Marcus Anderson, a two-time GRAMMY® and Stellar Award nominee, has 16 studio albums and five Billboard Number #1s. Fusing jazz with R&B, pop, and soul, he's charted top spots on Billboard’s Smooth Jazz and SiriusXM's Watercolors. He's collaborated/toured with Prince, Stevie Wonder and CeeLo Green, among others. Known for high-energy shows, Anderson has performed for notable figures at the White House and has been a staple at major festivals for years. He's ventured into the coffee business serving his brand... Read More →

As a person who was born in Los Angeles, lived in East Kansas, and calls Chicago home, Marqueal Jordan’s influences are just as eclectic and diverse. Inspired by his father’s record collection and John Coltrane in particular, Marqueal began playing Tenor Saxophone at age 12. His intent was to follow in the footsteps of the Jazz legend, but exposure to all genres of music and paying... Read More →

Nate Phillips has been a member of The Smooth Jazz Cruise for nearly two decades, one of the longest reigns of almost anyone. Nate’s musical history includes sessions and tours with many artists who perform on our cruises, concreting his supporting role within The Smooth Jazz C... Read More →

Michael “Patches” Stewart was born and raised in New Orleans, where he began to play trumpet at an early age. After moving to Los Angeles, he toured with The Brothers Johnson, Quincy Jones and jazz giant Al Jarreau, who introduced Patches to audiences worldwide. Patches has released four solo albums and has... Read More →

“I just want to continue to explore the boundaries of what I am capable of as a musician,” declares acclaimed chart-topping trumpeter, composer and producer Rick Braun. Known for his impeccable technical chops, melodic wizardry and keen compositional prowess, the consummate Los... Read More →