JAZZ

DAVE KOZ:
Over the decades, the saxophone has opened numerous doors for multiple Grammy nominated Dave Koz. He’s played with such artists as Burt Bacharach, Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Celine Dion, Shelby Lynne, Kenny Loggins, U2, Barry Manilow, Michael McDonald, Luther Vandross and Rod Stewart. He’s become a platinum-selling artist with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is also known as a humanitarian, entrepreneur, radio host and instrumental music advocate.

RICK BRAUN:

No one on today’s contemporary urban jazz scene knows more about the power of perfect, timely partnerships (or what it takes to keep the #1 hits coming) than Rick Braun. After launching the millennium with “Shake It Up” with Boney James (sharing a Best Collaboration award for their 2000 hit reigning at #1 on the Billboard chart for 11 weeks) and later hooking up with Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown as BWB, he toured as part of Jazz Attack, then with Peter White and Jonathan Butler in 2005 and 2007. He continued to collaborate in 2007 teaming up with saxman Richard Elliot for RnR. Their duet project immediately hit #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart and its catchy title track single was an instant smash, holding at #1 on Radio and Records’ (R&R) Contemporary Jazz airplay chart for over two months. A 2008 tour followed.

Though the years Braun has also become a top genre producer, working with Elliot, Antoine, Willie & Lobo, David Benoit, and Jeff Golub, among others. He set a record at the 2002 National Contemporary Jazz Awards in San Diego by winning a total of five trophies, including Best Male Artist, Best Album (“Kisses in the Rain,” which hit #1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart), Song of the Year (the title cut) and Best Brass Player.

Rick’s recent releases include Sings with Strings (2011) and the 2012 holiday album Swingin’ in the Snow.

KENNY LATTIMORE:
Hailed by the New York Times as a “modern soul man,” Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter Kenny Lattimore is climbing the charts once again with another hit in the making: “Love Me Back.” The simple feel-good track is the lead single from Lattimore’s seventh solo album, Anatomy of a Love Song (April 14). In addition to the Grammy-nominated “For You,” Lattimore’s body of work includes his critically acclaimed sophomore album From the Soul of a Man and two top-10 charting duet albums with singer Chanté Moore: Things That Lovers Do and the gospel/R&B double-CD Uncovered/Covered. Lattimore’s last solo project was the 2008 covers album Timeless.

Kenny has garnered Soul Train and Stellar Awards nominations as well as the NAACP Image Award for Best New Artist. His nuanced vocals have graced projects by a diverse array of artists from Musiq Soulchild and Rachelle Ferrell to Nancy Wilson and Brian Culbertson. This prestigious list also includes Kanye West, who sampled Lattimore’s “Lately” for the track “I’m in It” from West’s No. 1 album Yeezus.

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