JAZZ

JONATHAN BUTLER:

Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Jonathan Butler spent his youth under apartheid, and official government policy of political, legal, and economic discrimination against non-whites. His escape was music. The youngest of twelve children, at age 7, he began singing publicly in South African townships. Not yet in his teens, Butler’s talents as a singer and guitarist were recognized and he soon toured his poverty stricken country in a traveling variety show. In his travels, he could neither comprehend the extreme destitute nor the harsh treatment he endured and bared witness to under the reign of Apartheid. Afrikaans was his native tongue, but he learned English on the road. After signing his first record deal as a teen with British record producer Clive Caulder’s Jive Records, Jonathan’s premier single made him the first black artist to be played on white South African radio stations. The single won a Sarie Award, South Africa’s equivalent to the Grammy. His self-titled debut album also garnered two Grammy nominations; one for the R&B-pop vocal statement “Lies” and the other for “Going Home,” a poignant instrumental. Other releases include Jonathan (2005), Gospel Goes Classical (2006) with Juanita Bynum, Brand New Day (2007), So Strong (2010), and 2012’s Grace and Mercy, filled with the soulful sounds and insightful lyrics fans have come to expect from this veteran performer.

NORMAN BROWN:

Picking up a guitar at age 8, Norman Brown was initially inspired by Jimi Hendrix but it was his father’s preference for Wes Montgomery that set Norman on his stylistic journey. After high school, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue music, attending the Musicians Institute where he also taught for a time. Playing with his own group in local clubs and drawing comparisons to George Benson, he was discovered and signed to the fledgling MoJazz label, a division of Motown. His debut, “Just Between Us” was followed by the gold-certified “After The Storm” and “Better Days Ahead.” Moving to Warner Bros., he released “Celebration,” which first teamed him with producer Paul Brown. The follow-up, “Just Chillin’,” earned him Grammy® recognition in the best pop instrumental category. Next, on “West Coast Coolin’,” Norman tested his skills as a vocalist, a move embraced by the urban Adult Contemporary radio market and found him topping the charts, with a fan base that’s been expanding over the years. His compilation “The Very Best Of Norman Brown” was one of the best-selling smooth jazz albums of 2005 and 2006. His 2010 release “Sending My Love” with its seamless blend of pop, R&B and jazz marked his 8th solo album. 2012 saw the release of “24/7”, in collaboration with saxophonist Gerald Albright.

ALEX BUGNON:

Contemporary jazz keyboardist Alex Bugnon grew up going to the Montreux Jazz Festival in his hometown in Switzerland. He attended the Paris Conservatory of Music for two years, then moved to the US to attend the Berklee School of Music, while performing as an accompanist to gospel groups. He spent 4 years working as a session musician in New York, backing urban and jazz performers such as Patti Austin, Freddie Jackson, James Ingram, and Keith Sweat. Signed to Orpheus Records, he released his debut album 1989’s, Love Season, which reached the pop charts and the Top 40 of the R&B charts, as did its follow-up, 1990’s Head Over Heels. Subsequent releases in 1991, 1993 and 1995 all placed in the R&B charts. He signed to the jazz division of Narada Records, which marketed him as a jazz artist, and his sixth album 2000’s, Alex Bugnon… As Promised, reached the contemporary jazz charts. He followed with Soul Purpose (2001) and several other albums that also placed on the top contemporary jazz charts. He most recently released Going Home in 2012. Alex is the recipient of two Soul Train Music Awards.

Recently remodeled with a bold design, the Hornblower Infinity matches the uniqueness of New York — and the Smooth Cruises! The open bow, covered sky deck and over-sized windows provide endless opportunities to enjoy the countless sites in NY Harbor as guests kick back with the best jazz artists in the business. Guests will enjoy the world’s finest contemporary jazz on climate controlled interior decks with multiple dance floors, and can take in the sights outdoors on spacious exterior sundecks.