JAZZ

PETER WHITE:

Growing up in 1960s England, Peter White took interest in music while listening to the Beatles on the radio. His parents got him an acoustic guitar around age 8 and he taught himself to play while also taking lessons on the recorder, piano and later, clarinet. One day in 1967 after hearing Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” and never experiencing such sounds from his acoustic, he decided the electric guitar was to be the most important thing in his life. He eventually got one and furiously studied the works of Hendrix, Clapton and Page, but his dreams were put on hold when the guitar was burned in a fire (accidentally) set by his brother Danny. He found solace in his old acoustic guitar, having no idea that this incident, however tragic at the time, would prove a turning point in his life. He developed a love for the acoustic instrument that continues to this day. For over two decades, Peter has a reputation as one of the most versatile and prolific acoustic guitarists on the contemporary jazz landscape. Smooth jazz fans worldwide are enthralled by his spirited melodies, soulful grooves and inviting, instantly recognizable acoustic guitar tone. He’s always enjoyed finding unique ways to bring his modern sensibilities to cherished pop classics — and thanks to the smooth jazz format’s affinity for instrumental covers, two of the amazing thirteen #1 Radio & Records airplay hits he’s had through the years, “The Closer I Get To You” and “Walk On By,” have become enduring staples of the format. Pop music fans were listening to his classic acoustic guitar style even before the advent of the New Adult Contemporary and Smooth Jazz formats, most notably via his collaborations with British folk/pop singer Al Stewart. The Stewart-White partnership, which culminated with the dual live recording Rhymes in Rooms (1992), spanned over 20 years. White played on Stewart’s landmark “Year of the Cat” album, he co-wrote and performed on two of Stewart’s biggest hits, “Time Passages” and “Midnight Rocks.” In the late 1980s, White accompanied Basia on several of her acclaimed albums and in 1996, she was featured on his album Caravan of Dreams, with vocals on the popular single "Just Another Day.” With over a dozen albums, numerous musical collaborations, and his annual A Peter White Christmas shows, Peter is still going strong. His latest release, Smile (Oct. 2014), features guest spots from Mindi Abair, Rick Braun and Euge Groove.

RICHARD ELLIOT

With a best-selling discography of over 15 recordings since 1986’s “Initial Approach,” thousands of live dates spanning over two decades, and one of the largest and most loyal fan bases in contemporary urban jazz, it’s incredible to hear Richard Elliot declare: “What I’m doing now, enjoying this upward trend in my career, is seriously the most fun I have ever had.” Then again, the multi-talented tenor saxophonist, composer and producer has been on one of the most incredible rolls since the 2005 release of “Metro Blue,” which debuted at #2 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart. He has also performed in numerous all-star tours including last summer’s Dave Koz Summer Horns Tour, Groovin’ For Grover, Jazz Attack, Guitars & Saxes, and the RnR tour with Rick Braun.

The Scotland born, L.A.-raised Elliot found his musical voice on tenor as a teen and landed his first professional gig touring with Natalie Cole and The Pointer Sisters while still in high school. Before joining Tower of Power (which began a stretch that he calls the most influential period of his early career) he played in the adventurous fusion band Kittyhawk and did some dream recording sessions with his Motown heroes Smokey Robinson, The Four Tops, and The Temptations. He later performed with Melissa Manchester and Yellowjackets, which found him hooking up for the first time with the legendary fusion band’s founding drummer Ricky Lawson.

Elliot was still on the road with TOP when he released his 1986 debut album “Trolltown.” Its success gave him the confidence to leave the band for a solo career, which has been rockin’ steady ever since. Embarking upon one of instrumental music’s most dynamic and multifaceted career, Elliot’s sound played a huge part in pioneering the genre that evolved into today’s contemporary urban jazz. Over the years, he’s had four #1 albums (“On The Town,” “Soul Embrace,” “After Dark” and “Jumpin’ Off”) plus several #1 airplay singles. Richard’s 17th solo CD, Lip Service, was released in 2014.

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. (The yacht is handicapped accessible.)

Note: Line-ups may be subject to change