JAZZ

Keyboardist James Lloyd, drummer Curtis Harmon, and former bassist Cedric Napoleon, founded Pieces of a Dream as teens in Philadelphia in 1975. The 3 were (and still are) managed by the Harmon’s father Danny and uncle Bill Harmon. Initially somewhat jazz-oriented, the group’s emphasis is mostly R&B, although jazz numbers are typically included in their performances. First playing throughout the Tri-State area, they were soon featured on Temple University’s pioneering jazz radio station, WRTI-FM. Long before the “Young Lions” era of Wynton Marsalis, Lloyd and Harmon were swinging so hard as teens that the great Count Basie once proclaimed them “a tough act to follow.” It was another jazz legend, the late Grover Washington Jr. who made Philly his home, who helped them become the internationally known stars they are today. After becoming popular around Philly, they landed a spot as the house band for a local TV show, City Lights. Their experience broadened as they played backup on the broadcasts to a wide variety of artists, and that’s where Washington first heard them. One day while they were playing at the Bijou, where Grover had recorded his Live at the Bijou album, he sat in with them to play “Mr. Magic.” Soon Washington announced he was starting a production company and that Pieces of a Dream would be his first act. Lloyd was only a high school senior when his first record came out. From 1981 to 1984, Pieces of a Dream built their reputation with 3 albums that would come to define the musical essence of the smooth jazz radio explosion. After amicably parting ways with long time friend Cedric Napoleon, more albums followed along with 2 top 5 singles on R&R’s NAC chart as well as too radio chart positions and Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart top 10 status.

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.