Well, the Vail Jazz Festival or The Jazz Cruise, it is not but for some the Crystal Cruises jazz theme is a wonderful choice.

Cruise 9326 – Caribbean Thanksgiving Celebration sailing rountrip Miami will visit the Caribbean November 22 to November 29, 2009.  This 7 day cruise will offer 3 sea days aboard the Crystal Serenity.

Highlights of the jazz program are listed below. Information provided by Crystal Cruises.

Crystal Visions Enrichment Program

Special Interest Lecturer
Dr. Louis Rene Beres (West Lafayette, IN)
Professor of Political Science and International Law at Purdue University, columnist and author, Dr. Beres was educated at Princeton (Ph.D., 1971). His ten published books deal with such issues as US foreign policy, terrorism, counter-terrorism, nuclear strategy and nuclear war. Dr. Beres is also the author of more than fifty major law journal articles, and of over one hundred scholarly articles dealing with various philosophical, psychological, historical and military dimensions of world politics. His lectures provide a stimulating and informed guide to critical issues of our time.

Theme Entertainment
The Duke Ellington Alumni Band under the direction of Barrie Lee Hall
The 8-piece Duke Ellington Orchestra is the best known jazz orchestra of all time. Barrie Lee took over as director from Mercer Ellington, son of Duke, upon his death. Barrie Lee has the original orchestrations as well as updated versions. The Orchestra includes several musicians who actually played with the Duke. The Orchestra will play each night affording a rare opportunity to hear the original arrangements, and some updated ones, from the greatest jazz orchestra leader, Duke Ellington.

Theme Entertainment
Kitt Moran Trio
Kitt Moran has recorded with Don Sebesky, Teo Macero, Rosemary Clooney, John Pizzarelli, Jack Sheldon, Ron Carter, Toots Thielemanns, Harry Allen, Mel Lewis, Paulo Braga, and many more jazz greats. Kitt has sung with Michel Legrand, Burt Bacharach, Merv Griffin, Vic Damone and many other performers and creators of the Great American Songbook and the Jazz Standard repertoire. After Duke Ellington’s death, Teo Macero, Duke’s manager, called Kitt to perform in annual Ellington memorial concerts in New York City. This fostered a friendship with Ruth Ellington and her husband, McHenry Boatwright. Teo asked Mike to write lyrics for his Blues for Duke which became a jazz hit in Europe. Kitt and Mike have many Elllington tunes prepared and is accompanied by renowned bassist, Dominic Mancini.

Theme Entertainment
Eddie Tobin Trio
Eddie Tobin has been heard throughout the United States as well as in many other countries as a solo pianist. Eddie has traveled as keyboardist with The Forester Sisters and as keyboardist and arranger for Brenda Lee. Eddie also worked with Engelbert Humperdinck for 7½ years as his musical director and pianist. Eddie’s style is broad based and free flowing.

The above are hosted by Penny and Gordon Garrett (Jazz Club President)

Theme Lecturer
Phil Schaap (New York, NY)
The Curator at Jazz at Lincoln Center and a WKCR radio personality, Phil Schaap was raised by Jazz loving parents and the music’s originators, particularly the members of the original Count Basie Orchestra. Since 1970 he has broadcast Jazz on the radio and is best known for his daily Charlie Parker show, Bird Flight. As an educator, he has taught Jazz at Columbia, Rutgers, Princeton, and at Lincoln Center. His career producing, remastering, and writing for major record companies has garnered many Grammy Awards, including three for producing, three for historical writing, and two for audio engineering.

If you would like to take advantage of this cruise, please call your personal cruise experts at Cruise Holidays of Mission Viejo at 949-215-6700.  Authorized California Seller of Travel.