As long as I've known about the Capital Jazz Fest for the past 15 years or so, I have never
attended--either the fest or the super cruise--until this year. I
attended the 7th annual Capital Jazz Super Cruise and had the time of my life!!
As many of you already know, I LOVE MUSIC! So for there to be over 30 acts, the ports of call (Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Curacao and Aruba (my vacation home), and the vast array of activities in addition to the all of the DJs that kept the party going, I was in Musical Heaven as you can probably imagine.
Before the real party started on the cruise, Friday night there was the Mix and Mingle:
Darien Dean (one of the Cruise Hosts) and one of the Fun Patrol folks
(photos courtesy of my iPhone)
Day 1
Ft. Lauderdale/Sea
Ft. Lauderdale/Sea
So, here are a few pics upon sail-off from Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. as I was truly a happy camper at sea!
The excitement had been building ever since I put my deposit down in August 2012.
As I eagerly checked for the artists that were going to perform, of the first five I believe that were posted were tops on my fav list that included Najee, Rahsaan Patterson and Incognito!!! Need I say more? Going to the Capital Jazz Super Cruise Website to see which artist they announced gave me something to look forward to every time I thought about it. And with each new artist announcement, it got better and better. There's really no need to know in advance who's going to perform. If you wait for that, the ship may not have a cabin for you :-)
Here is a shot of the dance floor as people had completed registration and entered onto the ship. DJ Frances Jaye was the DJ to welcome everyone aboard. Nice, right?
(photos courtesy of my iPhone)
So the first night on sea was a fun-filled night with Incognito as the first act to perform. I wasn't sure of what the climate would be for taking pictures, so I didn't shoot this night.
Anyway, my goal was to make sure I had the opportunity to say hello to Bluey of Incognito. I had been trying to catch up with him since 2006, when I'd seen Incognito live in NYC for the first time, along with other NY/NJ Cog Heads.
There! Not only did I have the chance to say hello, but took a a picture with him to boot!!
Here is a shot of the dance floor as people had completed registration and entered onto the ship. DJ Frances Jaye was the DJ to welcome everyone aboard. Nice, right?
(photos courtesy of my iPhone)Anyway, my goal was to make sure I had the opportunity to say hello to Bluey of Incognito. I had been trying to catch up with him since 2006, when I'd seen Incognito live in NYC for the first time, along with other NY/NJ Cog Heads.
There! Not only did I have the chance to say hello, but took a a picture with him to boot!!
Hello Bluey!
Since I bumped into some of the members of Incognito at the bar I wanted someone to get "me" in the mix of a couple of pictures. I asked Matt Cooper, keyboardist and sometimes drummer to take a shot of the ladies of Incognito and me, and this is what he shot...
Vanessa Haynes and the back/side of me
See that elbow in the corner there? That's Natalie Williams. Umm hmm
Here is the crew with big beautiful smiles, Vanessa Haynes, Matt Cooper, Deborah Bond (another Cruise Hostess) and Natalie Williams!
Tony Momrell and me
Loving the back of this blouse!
Caught giving instructions on how to take the picture (me and hubby)
Day 2
Half Moon Cay
Ok enough of my babbling! I shot plenty of pictures and just a little bit of video footage, so I have plenty to show you! (Yeah, I was busy!)
Half Moon Cay
Ok enough of my babbling! I shot plenty of pictures and just a little bit of video footage, so I have plenty to show you! (Yeah, I was busy!)
This was a lot of fun as you can tell; not too much of anything but relaxing on a cloudy, light rainy day watching some football while waiting for the rest of the crew to head back from Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas.
Represent your favorite team's jersey, why don't cha!
Later on that night, in the wee hours of the morning Maimouna Youssef and Zo perform and ERRO is the host. Joining Zo on stage were Jarrard Anthony, Deborah Bond, Chante Cann and Eric
Eric, Jodine, and DMo
It was a real pleasure to meet Zo since I am such a fan of his music
Zo and me
Day 3
Day at Sea
The Doug E. Fresh Block Party was truly one of many highlights of the cruise!
DJ Frances Jaye checking out the fun from the side line
Later on that night, into the wee hours of the morning, we were entertained by the King of Indie Soul and one of the funniest entertainers ever! He's got so much class and a personality anyone would be proud to kick it with--Mr. Eric Roberson, and other performers who participated with the Soul Sessions. Please forgive me not knowing everyone's name. All of the performers were outstanding and really made me happy that I was there to witness such great talent!
J Soul
Ty Causey
Chrisette Michele's assistant vocalist
Jarrard Anthony
Jarrard Anthony's Wife
Chrisette Michele
David P. Stevens
Chante Cann
Doug E. Fresh
Vanessa Haynes (Incognito)
Phil Perry
Jarrod Lawson
Natalie Williams (Incognito)
Sorry, don't know her name
The Band
Carl Browne
Don't know this artist's name either but he is SUPER DUPER talented!!
Day 4
LaRomana
Here are a few shots of artists Ken Ford, Stephanie Mills, Larry Graham and Graham Central Station. I tell you, there was nothing like visiting exotic islands to return to the ship with talent on top of talent. When we returned from LaRomana, Ken Ford performed and is fabulous on that electric violin! Later on for the main show we had the pleasure of enjoying Stephanie Mills and Larry Graham. He still got it, y'all! This was my first time seeing him; I would go and see him perform again in a heartbeat! Not sure if anyone has heard but Ms. Mills showed her back to the first audience and pissed a lot of them off. There were various stories of what happened and since I was not there, I'll leave it at that. At the second show, which is the one I saw she was a little strange but many thought it was because she was a bit woozy from the movement of the ship. Nevertheless, she put on an excellent show. Her voice is still magnificent and her background singers' voices were awesome as well.
Ken Ford
Stephanie Mills
Sir Larry Graham and his lovely wife!
Graham Central Station
The audience was invited on to the stage to party with the band
You should know the routine by now--Later on that night, in the wee hours of the morning... One of the many Jam Sessions took place with Gerald Veasley and a bunch of jazz artists who got together for some good ole funk, jazz, soul and all that!!
Jeff Bradshaw on trombone--he is a beast!!
Gerald Veasely, Joey Sommerville, Najee, Pete Belasco, and Jonathan Fritzen
Day 5
Curacao
Curacao was the late day/night so when we returned to the ship it was late evening and see who we came home to? Yes, Uncle Charlie. This was also my first time seeing Charlie Wilson and everything I'd heard about his performance was true! He rocked that ship and put on a total production! Look at his girls and the wardrobe changes he made.
I was delighted to hear all around the Lido Deck while eating, the Capital Jazz radio station was playing in the background. It's those small details that make such big impact on a first timer like me.
Day 6
Aruba!
And what a wonderful performance to come back to--The Donald Byrd Tribute!! The band Spur of the Moment was the backing band for many of the artists. This day the band's front man, Wayne Bruce hosted the show, and every time an artist came on stage they did either of Donald Bryd's songs. Bruce was not having it! Every time a new artist joined in they had this cute back and forth thing going that prevented Bruce from playing his favorite Donald Byrd song, Rock Creek Park--of course until the show's finale.
Wayne Bruce and Joey Sommerville
Wayne and Jeff Bradshaw
The band performing Do it Fluid
The Band
Wayne and Gerald 
Trina Broussard, not sure who the lady in the middle is (she has a beautiful voice) and Jason Morales
Later on that night, way into the wee hours of the morning...The Soul Lounge presents J Soul and Pete Belasco
J Soul
Pete Belasco
Day 7
Day at Sea
Almost at the end of the road but before we get there, more goodies! During the day we had the pleasure of witnessing The Average White Band take us back to the good ole days. Ty Causey did his thing--I was ecstatic! I am one of Ty's biggest fans as he is one of smoothest crooners of today, fulla love and soul! The evening held the distinguished Najee, Phil Perry and Alex Bugnon.
The Average White Band
Ty Causey
Ty Causey performs the Underground Lounge
The Najee, Phil Perry and Alex Bugnon show!
Day 8
Day at Sea
The last day of the trip included a full day of sun for me! Later on that evening, Anthony (the FIRECRACKER) Hamilton blazed onto the stage fired up! I mean, he was all over that stage, dancing and carrying on like nobody's business, lol!! I had a hard time focusing my camera on him and his band because they lit that stage up!!!
Ok, so there you have it--from my point of view! As far as activities, other music related discussions, panels, workshops and such, there was plenty to do on the Carnival Freedom--leaving no room for boredom--only relaxation if that's what one deemed necessary.
What I loved most of all about my first experience with the Capital Jazz Organization is that they did a great job with the entire production of this cruise. From the moment we got on line to register to the point of debarkation after the eight day music rendezvous, everything was well organized. They paid extra attention to every detail!
In closing, if this sounds like an ad or promo for Capital Jazz, it is! If the pictures don't tell the story, I don't know what else to offer. I promise any music lover like me, that you will totally enjoy all of the artists you are able to see in concert and the many activities from which to choose. Personally, I didn't make time for anything but music and getting my sun in.
Thinking about going on the 2014 Capital Jazz Super Cruise? You'd better hurry up and get your deposit in right here! The average priced cabins are limited or could even be sold out by now, and it's still early. Folks sign up waaaay in advance and on the ship from the previous trip, so get on it, doggonit! And while you're at it, take a look at the Talent Line-Up for next year thus far, and a peak at what else went down this past November over here, and where the ship is going in 2014!
Before I let you go, I posted more shots during the cruise you may want to check out. The pictures of Aruba are from previous visits I wanted to share since I didn't shoot too much there this time around.
One last comment:
It wouldn't even matter where the ship is going for me, that's just a bonus on top of enjoying your favorite artists while discovering new ones! You just can't beat it!!
PAMarazzi Nichols
