JAZZ CRUISES LLC PRESENTS "THE BEST PARTY AT SEA" WITH HOST WAYMAN TISDALE, TODAY’S TOP SMOOTH JAZZ STARS AND CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS ON THE ‘SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE’

JANUARY 18TH TO 25TH, 2009

Featured Performers to Include: Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan, Peabo Bryson, Jeff Lorber, Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, Euge Groove And Peter White

"The Smooth Jazz Cruise," an action-packed musical event mixing stars from the world of jazz with today’s most popular contemporary jazz artists, will set sail the week of January 18th to 25th, 2009 for its sixth annual voyage aboard Holland America’s deluxe MS Westerdam. Produced by Jazz Cruises, LLC and hosted by smooth jazz star, bassist and former NBA All-Star Wayman Tisdale, The Smooth Jazz Cruise—which has earned a reputation as ‘The Best Party At Sea’—departs from Fort Lauderdale, Florida for four beautiful, sun-splashed Eastern Caribbean ports: San Juan, Puerto Rico, Santa Barbara de Samana, Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) and Half Moon Cay.

With multiple performances scheduled every evening and during afternoons at sea, passengers will have many exciting opportunities to experience the best contemporary jazz and soul entertainment in the world from an eclectic mix of the best jazz artists currently topping the charts.

In addition to a special concert by the always crowd pleasing Tisdale, this year’s lineup includes a special appearance by iconic funk band Rufus, the ever-evolving group that launched vocal superstar and multiple Grammy Award winner Chaka Khan. Reunited now with her former bandmates, Khan will be performing with them on The Smooth Jazz Cruise along with Grammy Award winning vocal legend, Peabo Bryson.

Among the stellar line up of smooth jazz favorites are jazz saxophonists Gerald Albright and Kirk Whalum, considered by many the most soulful and funky in the genre; Tom Braxton, another soulful veteran hornplayer who released his sixth CD Imagine This in 2007; South African born singer, songwriter and guitarist Jonathan Butler, known for his eclectic mix of pop vocals with instrumental and gospel music; and Grammy nominated keyboardist, composer, producer and contemporary jazz pioneer Jeff Lorber.

Also keeping the party going will be gospel, soul and hip-hop saxophonist Everette Harp; popular funk saxophonist Euge Groove, a former sideman with Tower of Power, Tina Turner and Joe Cocker; keyboardist Brian Simpson, saxman Dave Koz’s longtime musical director, now one of today’s most popular smooth jazz artists; blues-rock influenced guitarist Jeff Golub, a fixture on the summer sellout Guitars & Saxes tours; and Peter White, whose instantly identifiable acoustic guitar has earned him 14 #1 radio airplay singles. Adding exotic textures to the artist mix are Willie & Lobo, the popular gypsy-pop music duo of violinist Willie Royal and flamenco guitarist Wolfgang Fink.

With such a vast array of vocalists and instrumentalists on the ship, fans will not only be treated to numerous performances in a variety of theatre and club settings, but will also have unique opportunities to attend various "behind the instruments" sessions where they can get personally acquainted with the participating artists in a relaxed, club-like setting, throughout the weeklong ‘party at sea.’

Jazz Cruises LLC is the foremost producer of full ship charter music cruises in the world, specializing in luxury jazz cruises. Currently, it produces three annual events besides The Smooth Jazz Cruise: Dave Koz And Friends At Sea; The Jazz Cruise, the only full ship charter in the world dedicated to straight ahead jazz; and, beginning in January 2009, the first ever Playboy Jazz Cruise, which culminates the 30th Anniversary celebration of the Playboy Jazz Festival. Hosted by Grammy winning artist and bass player Marcus Miller, The Playboy Jazz Cruise will feature special guest Herbie Hancock, 2008 Grammy Award winner for Album of The Year along with a stellar roster of today’s top jazz talents.

As is the case with all of Jazz Cruises LLC’s programs, The Smooth Jazz Cruise also offers passengers a totally first class experience from impeccable accommodations and luxurious amenities to gourmet food and service, completely unique from the standard fare typically offered on other ships, as well as the exclusive opportunity to meet and mingle with the artists.

"When we started doing jazz cruises our goal was to produce the finest music experience that we could and feature the finest musicians," said Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of Jazz Cruises, LLC. "Our partnership with Wayman Tisdale is an excellent example of that philosophy. Every aspect of the cruise is perfect and there can be no better host or greater performer than Wayman Tisdale. With four different cruises, we never stray from our total desire to make sure that we get the music right and that all of our guests have the very best cruise possible. Everything that we do is for the guests."

For cruise reservations and further information for The Smooth Jazz Cruise, please call 877.330.JAZZ or visit www.thesmoothjazzcruise.com.